Thursday, March 28, 2024

Whole llama love

July 24, 2013

Locals discuss why they choose to have llamas as pets.

Photo by Julia Nagy | The State News

The Topliffs have a whole lotta love for their llamas. In 1993, Don and Sheryl Topliff bought their first two llamas. Now the herd on their 50-acre plot of land in Williamston, Mich., has expanded to 24 llamas. They said the llamas are a large attraction for their bed and breakfast.

“They’re sort of like cats,” Sheryl Topliff said. “They’re elusive, but some are real friendly and they come to you. Some are shy and stay away.”

Don Topliff, dressed in a llama shirt, grabbed a bucket of grain from the barn and walked into the pasture. Soon, the llamas, with their banana-shaped ears perked up, came from the pasture to get some food.

“They’re always very curious about anything different in their pasture,” Don said. “They all come up to say ‘Hi’ when you go out there.”

For Don Topliff, llamas are a part of his daily life. He helps organize the annual Lamafest at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education at MSU, and judges some llama shows around the area.

At the Fowlerville Family Fair, Howell, Mich., resident Mitchell Carroll, 15, was getting his alpaca Dreamer ready to show. Alpacas and llamas are closely related, but the difference is in the ears. Llamas have banana shaped ears. Alpacas’ ears point straight out.

Dreamer, a brown alpaca with his neck shaved and a tuft of fluffy hair on his head, nuzzled up to Carroll.

“They’re lovable,” Carroll said, hugging Dreamer. “It’s funny to see their personalities.”

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