Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Chungara de Temuco

It is with a heavy heart I write this entry, I lost yet another llama today! Not just any llama, this one was very special. His name was Chungara, named after a beautiful area and lake in Chile where he was born. He was part of an importation project headed by the Taylors of Montana and this is where his US journey began.

After Taylors brought him here he was sold at auction, the highest selling male that year (more $$ than I'd ever think of paying for an animal!) and moved here to Ohio. He was about 5yrs old then. He was shown all over the States and used for breeding (which more than recouped their initial cost of him).

Enter a nasty divorce and the downsizing of the farm and animals. Chungara is sold to a loving home not far from here. Bonnie kept Chungara as long as she could, but there came a day when she too had to downsize.

Enter me!

I got a call one day in 2002, from Bonnie who'd gotten my name from who~knows~who. "I hear you have llamas and have a 4H group, do you want any more llamas?" "NO", I say! I have enough to keep me busy! But then I start asking about them and she mentions this 'Chungara'. I know the name as I'd heard of this fabulous llama before. "What color is he?" I ask. "Appaloosa" she says.

I'm sold! I'm a sucker for Appies! I love them!! Well, almost sold. I talked it over with Lloyd and we decided to go have a look. What's the harm in looking!

Bonnie made me such a deal that we did more than look that day! We came home with 6 more and one on the way! In the lot were 2 of Chungara's offspring and one due later in the year.

Chungara proved to be the best ever! Whether it was at a show where he knew just how to strut his stuff or with the smallest child being so gentle or with a senior in a wheel chair who just wanted to pet the big fuzzy animal!

He'd never been used for anything but breeding and the shows. Never had done obstacles or PR work. So coming here was quite a change for him. Yet anything you asked of him, he would do it. Every obstacle he approached he completed. Could I say he was perfect? Well, yes, in my eyes he was the perfect package!

He will be sorely missed. The vet had been called, but I doubt anything could have been done to help him.
Farewell my friend.

26 comments :

Kelly L said...

Awww, what a handsome boy! My heart goes out to you yet again with *tear-filled eyes* I truly enjoyed your slide show. :*) Kelly

Julie Campbell said...

Dawn! :( I'm just so sorry! He was a beautiful animal. You gave him a happy home!

Cindy Haffner said...

So sorry Dawn, my heart goes out to you, a big hug my friend.

Big hug, Cindy

Sherry Cheever said...

Oh {{{{{Dawn}}}}} I am so sorry! What a handsome King of the Hill he was.

Tammy Hershberger said...

Dawn, I'm so sorry! What an awful time you've had losing such wonderful and dear members of your family! My heart goes out to you!

Anonymous said...

Dawn......

I am so sad for you with tears running down my eyes after looking at the rolling pictures. I am just shocked that this happened twice in such a short period of time! My heart is heavy right now right along with you.....so sorry this day brought what it did!

You'd be getting a big old hug from me if I was there.....but since I am not, I hope you can feel this one with my words....

Hang in there......we are thinking about you today! Hugs....

Cindy

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Dawn, this just breaks my heart!! I know how beloved animals grab hold of your heart and bring such joy in the process!! I'm so sorry for your double loss!! Hugs my friend!! Hope you're home tomorrow....*grin*

StampOwl said...

oh Dawn I am sooooo very sorry for your loss ... I know how much you love your llama's ... please know I am thinking of you

Anonymous said...

Oh DAWN!! My heart hurts for you!! Two family members lost so close together!! I'm soo sorry!
(My youngest just came in....he thought you had put a "vest" on your Chungara! He said "it looks like he's wearing a vest, ready to go out")
Starla

Broni said...

Dawn, I am so, so very sorry that you've lost another of your beloved friends. I just gasped at the photos of him. What a regal and beautiful animal he was! Hugs, my friend.

Anonymous said...

a beautiful tribute to him. i am so sorry that you have lost two pets so quickly and so close. it is with a heavy heart and tears that i am hugging you thru cyber space and i am so very sorry for you and the family!

janice

Lisa C. said...

Dawn, I am so sorry for your loss. I know your heart must be very heavy tonight. I hope that you take comfort in knowing others are thinking and prayihng for you.

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Oh, Dawn, I am so sorry. {{{{BIG HUGS}}}} coming your way.

Karen said...

So, so sorry for your loss, this can't be easy for you since this happened not too long ago. Thoughts, prayers and hugs coming your way!

Kittie said...

Dawn, I am sorry to hear that you have lost another old friend. How sad. By the way....I think I have forgotten to mention how wonderful your blog banner is. I love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Dawn - I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Sending many gentle hugs your way...

- dlm.

Lori Craig said...

Dawn - I'm sorry you are hurting. What a loss for your family. Your tribute is beautiful! Hugs, sweet friend!

Lori Craig said...

Dawn - I'm sorry you are hurting. What a loss for your family. Your tribute is beautiful! Hugs, sweet friend!

Alli Miles said...

(((HUGS))) I am so glad that you have some wonderful memories with him...your tribute was beautiful! You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Sending thoughts and prayers your way. What a wonderful experience it must have been to be part of Chungara's life. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

Wendy G

Carolyn King said...

Dawn (through tears!) I am soo sorry. What a beautiful llama Chungara was and you can tell from that hearfelt post how very special he was to you.

Love and hugs my friend. I am so sorry.

Mary said...

Dawn, I am so very,very sorry that you lost your beloved Chungara. Your pictures show his beauty and perfection.I hope you take comfort in just how much he was loved by you and your family and how he mucst have felt that love.

Mary

Anonymous said...

Dawn, he was soooo very beautiful! I'm very sorry your heart is broken again and so soon. {{{{{hugs}}}}}}
You are in my thoughts for sure today.
Michelle Zindorf

Pinky Roth said...

Dawn, I am so sorry that you lost your animal and I know you get so close to them as if they are family. My thoughs are w/you and your family.

Pinky

Anonymous said...

It is truly beautiful how one animal can enrich so many lives!!

Thanks for sharing his story--and all you do to help people learn about these animals.
{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Angelnorth said...

So sorry to hear you lost another of your dear llama family - he looks a happy and handsome beast and I'm sure he'll be sorely missed {{{hugs}}}.