Soft Hearts Alpacas

06/18/2025

Welcome Linux ( 2 years old) and Pawnee ( yearling)! They arrived Thursday from Wibotawot Farm in River Falls, Wisconsin.
Linux is Eileen's great grandson and has her awesome personality. Pawnee came along as a friend. He is full accoyo and has amazing fleece.
I hadn't posted about them because 2 dogs attacked Linux oh Friday. He required stitches in his flank and armpit. Vet did a wonderful job. Linux is on antibiotics and meloxicam. He limps a bit but I feel he is getting better everyday.
I'm really excited about what these 2 bring to the farm.

06/17/2025

Miss Sue Overturf loved 4-H. It always amused her that her hands were in the 4-H resource book. We had such fun taking pictures at shows and even more fun teaching kids about the animals..

06/10/2025

The wet spring has created ideal conditions for poison hemlock to thrive across the state!

🚫 This plant is extremely toxic to humans and animals. A tall plant with purple-speckled stems and fern-like leaves, poison hemlock is one of the most toxic plants in North America.

⚠️ DO NOT touch, mow, or burn it — even contact with skin can cause a reaction, and inhaling fumes while burning can be dangerous.

🌱 It’s often mistaken for wild carrot or Queen Anne’s lace. Protect yourself when removing it, and dispose of it properly. To learn more, visit https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/invasive-plants/poison-hemlock or DelawareHealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Poison-Hemlock.pdf

05/13/2025

ShearingAlpaca.com Sardis and crew got here just before the rain began. 9 alpacas later everyone was shorn, ivomec given, teeth trimmed, toenails done.Thank you for a job well done again.

Shearing Alpacas, Biosecure Alpaca Shearing, Alpaca Shearer

05/11/2025

04/10/2025

One of my favorite vets...

03/15/2025

We have 6 alpacas available for 4-H lease this year. You can see our lease and training information at SoftHearts.OpenHerd.com

12/31/2024

12/08/2024

Torbe gave us a scare yesterday. He caught his leg in the boards and was stuck, laying on his side, long enough to fall into shock and hypothermia. Asher alerted me as I walked down the driveway. Got him free and ended up taking him to OSU. He got warmed fluids and stayed overnight.

Just heard from OSU. Torbe is doing well. He appears very sore but has held his temperature since midnight. He's getting up and walking around, and the vet says he looks good for a 16 year old. If he stays on this course, I will pick him up at 3 and bring him home.

I am so thankful to the folks who came to our aid yesterday. Sometimes I feel very alone, but Karl and Noah Hildebrand , Liz Stimer, Kent and Michele King, Mark Fisher and Ben Wenner, were all ready to drop everything and remind me I live in community. Thank you and all the folks that have checked in with me since I sent out a call for help. I really appreciate all of you.

09/19/2024

RIP BPR Peruvian Luna of the Pines, 17 years old.

09/19/2024

There is a wonderful henna artist in the merchant's building at the Delaware County Fair who has been doing the farm logo for us for years. I am thankful for all the fair traditions that I have found ways to do without Miss Sue. I did some good things to honor her and tried to make Fair a special place for some new people. I'm thankful for the friends and family who have been there to help me see it through.

09/17/2024

I had tears in my eyes as I presented the Showman of Showmen award for Alpacas and Llamas at the 2024 Delaware County Fair to Logan Lucas. Logan began his alpaca training at Soft Hearts and purchased his Arroyo Grande from us. Miss Sue and I have always had a soft spot for him. It just seemed right to hand him an award given in her memory. Logan is a young man that we are proud to know.