Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Barn Buddy
Mama Llama's Story
Mama Llama came to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in February 2004. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department had called Longmeadow for help with a downed llama, but when Ranch Director Earlene Cole arrived, she found not one but two llamas. A dark-colored one, later named Papa Llama, was lying down and could not get up. Cole contacted the owners and a veterinarian, who was able to help Papa stand. The owners admitted that they did not know how to properly care for llamas, so they gave them to the Humane Society of Missouri. Once installed at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, both Papa and Mama Llama’s health improved significantly. Unfortunately, Papa Llama passed away five months later. However, during his last months, he romped in the fields and had plenty to eat so he was happy. Mama continues to live at Longmeadow and is happy, healthy and quite the favorite.
Mama Llama's Health
Mama Llama was born with a deformed upper jaw; her lower teeth do not meet the upper gums so when she first arrived at Longmeadow, her teeth had grown quite long. Over several months, the veterinarian painlessly ground her teeth down to a more normal length. Also, Mama was pregnant when she came to Longmeadow, but sadly, the baby was stillborn. Mama Llama made it through several more challenges during the next year: a tooth abscess, a cut to the top of her head that needed stitches and, of course, the loss of her companion Papa Llama. Through all of this, she was very good about letting staffers treat her daily. For x-rays of her teeth, she even went to St. Louis on a stock trailer and walked right into the veterinarian’s office. (The office was in a mini-mall - imagine the stares Mama got!)
Mama Llama's Personality
Mama Llama is very easy-going, although she can be stubborn at times. She likes to greet
people by walking right up to them and sticking her face in theirs. While Longmeadow staffers are used to this habit, it does tend to make visitors a bit nervous! She also loves attention and will sometimes bump into you on purpose if she feels ignored. She has learned that her misshapen teeth are a great attention-getter and her favorite trick is to knock on the office window with them until staffers open it and give her carrots (her favorite snack).
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