Shaquille was my gentle boy, a gelding because of his blue eye. We kept him on the farm and didn't try to sell him, he was so gentle and easy that we planned to keep him for public relations on the farm.

He went with me to my mother's retirement home on a hot August afternoon, stood quietly while strangers petted him and stood around him. He went to a show class with me, followed me through halter and showmanship class but balked at some of the obstacles!

We decided to give a female away as a pet and sent Shaquille with her to her new home and excited new llama owners. A big dog frightened Shaquille, he jumped the fence and ran across the road with the dog behind him, going into the wide river alone. Every time I think of him alone and frightened, tears come to my eyes. Time and time again I see him, beautiful, big, gentle Shaquille and I miss him, up in the boys pasture with his buddies among the trees.

By Bobbi Griesel, deceased