Celebrating the Arrival of Our New Cria from a Rescued Alpaca
- Kris Benner
- Sep 24
- 5 min read
Welcoming new life into our world is an unmatched joy. This feeling is especially profound for us as we celebrate the birth of a beautiful cria (baby) from one of our recently rescued alpacas. This little bundle of joy signifies hope and new beginnings. His arrival also underscores the importance of animal rescue and the incredible journey that brought us to this moment.
In this post, we will share the uplifting story of our rescued alpacas, the birth of Sprinkle Pie's cria, and its significance for our community of alpaca lovers and animal rescue advocates.
The Journey of Rescue
Rescuing animals requires immense dedication, whether it be a dog, cat, llama or alpaca, or any other creature. Our journey began when we learned on social media about a group of alpacas desperately needing a safe home. We coordinated with an amazing rescue, Southeast Llama Rescue (SELR), to begin the challenge of capture, rescue, and adoption.
Under the guidance of SELF, we headed on a 2 hour drive east with a truck and an empty trailer, with the intention of rescuing 8 'benignly neglected' alpacas from a farm that could no longer care for them. While their basic needs of food, water, and shelter were met, it was clear that they had not been sheared, vetted, or handled in quite some time. The fences had fallen over, so the herd was not contained, and males and females were not separated.
It took several hours and quite a bit of effort, but we managed to capture the 8 wily alpacas on our list, in addition to two little male alpacas that were too young to leave behind. Covered in spit and a bit exhausted, we headed home, feeling quite accomplished.
Once back on our farm, we began the month-long process of nurturing these rescues to a condition where they were stable and adoptable. It involved some serious grooming, medical evaluation, lab work, dental intervention, vaccinations, and excellent nutrition. They were then paired up with their buddies and moved to their permanent new homes, where they would be well cared for and loved for the remainder of their lives. We were lucky enough to adopt 2 of the female alpacas: Sprinkle Pie (named by a little girl) and Maple. Because they had been living with males, it was likely they were pregnant, but their due dates were anybody's guess!
The Anticipation of Birth
Over the following months, we carefully watched Sprinkle Pie and Maple for any signs of pregnancy and impending delivery. Alpacas can be really good at hiding pregnancies! Some days we weren't even sure that they were pregnant. However, we were always ready, 'just in case'. Cameras were installed so that we could keep an eye on them in our absence. Our Cria Kit was stocked with necessary items to assist with a smooth delivery and healthy new cria.
Seven impatient months passed since that initial trailer ride. I had been in and out of the barn multiple times that day, with no signs of a delivery in sight. But when I passed through the barn once again, I found our entire herd gathered around a tiny wet alien laying on the ground. Sprinkle Pie had just delivered a baby boy!!
The Miracle of Birth
The moment our cria entered the world was truly magical. I've seen several alpaca births in the past, but each one is as miraculous as the last. It never gets old. With a gentle nudge from Sprinkle Pie, the little one took his first wobbly steps. It was a sight that filled my heart with wonder and joy.
The bond between mother and cria formed instantaneously. We watched in awe as they began to interact. The cria nuzzled against his mother, seeking reassurance and warmth, while the mother looked on with an undeniable pride and love. Somehow, he knew just where to find her milk, which contained not only calories and nutrition, but life sustaining antibiotics in the form of colostrum. I decided to name him Dwight.
This moment was powerful, showcasing the resilience of animals and the transformative power of love. It reaffirmed our commitment to animal rescue and illustrated the importance of fostering a safe environment for those in need.
The Community's Response
After the Dwight's birth, our community of Lucky Us Farm followers and alpaca lovers rallied around us. Messages of congratulations and support flooded in, with many expressing their desire to visit and meet the new family member.
This overwhelming response highlighted the importance of community in our animal rescue efforts. The following day we combined an already scheduled farm event (a llama birthday party celebration) with the celebration of Dwight's arrival. Fellow animal enthusiasts joined us for a heartwarming event filled with laughter, hugs, and, of course, plenty of sweet interactions with the adult alpacas and llamas and observation of sweet Dwight.
The Future Ahead
As we look to the future, we feel a wave of hope and excitement for what lies ahead for our rescued alpacas and Dwight. We are committed to ensuring they receive the best possible care, allowing them to thrive in a loving atmosphere.
The arrival of Dwight is not just a personal milestone; it reminds us of the impact animal rescue can have on both animals and humans. Each rescued animal has a unique story, and every new life symbolizes an opportunity to create a brighter future.
We encourage everyone to support local animal rescues, whether through volunteering your time, making donations, or simply spreading awareness. We highly recommend Southeast Llama Rescue! Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of animals in need.
A Joyful Celebration of Life
The arrival of our new cria from a rescued alpaca has infused our lives with immense joy and hope. This celebration is about resilience, love, and the strength of our community.
As we continue to care for our alpacas and share their stories, we invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can be advocates for animal rescue and work toward creating a world where every animal has the chance to thrive.
Thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to sharing updates about our precious Dwight and hopefully the arrival of Maple's cria, as well as a couple rescued llamas' deliveries! Our farm sure is growing!
Each time we visit Lucky Us Farm we genuinely feel lucky to have met Kris and Kevin and their four legged "krew" (I thought I should keep the k going). To see Dwight when he was just a day old and to witness the care that Sprinkle Pie gave to him was magical. I enjoy and look forward to each and every post from the farm! We are privileged to know the two legged and four legged residents at Lucky Us Farm.... Mary, Rob and Aurore🥰
I am going to conduct some kind of personal protest until I hear that a BOOK is in the works! LOVE the post and updates....Now I want more! Love to all those who ambulate on 4 hoofs or 2 feet~ And anything in between.