Something constructive is happening in Southern Oregon/Northern California. I recently had a telephone conversation with Alfred Grieshaber of Eagle Point, OR, where he and his wife, Pat, live in the foothills of the Cascade Range. Their farm is known as the "Blue By You" Ranch.

Al shared with me a new venture that he is a part of, along with others too numerous to mention (and I would hate to leave someone out!).

The Southern Oregon Llama Owners have disbanded their show association, but with funds still in the coffer, wanted to do something positive for llamas and alpacas. Meetings have been held and core committees formed that will bring to life a new organization with the purpose of aiding alpacas/llamas and alpaca/llama owners in emergency situations and will be available for rescue situations, as well.

The people involved in the inception of this organization plan to work with a vet and be trained as camelid EMT's, which would enable them to aid injured animals in various situations. While fires and flooding are not uncommon in this region, this new organization will also strive to work with local government agencies to be recognized as a useful resource in other emergency situations where camelids may be involved (i.e. traffic accidents).

While visiting with Al, I could get a sense of his passion and tenacity. I realized that he and I are very much alike in our views when it comes to breeding, selling, owning llamas. This is the kind of person who will make this new organization infallible and I am sure that he is part of a team of people who share his passion and vision.

Al has shared his life with Pat for 46 years. They are the parents of three grown children and have 6 grandkids. Retired from NASA after more than 35 years of service, Al is a black powder enthusiast and has served as a past director for the Oregon State Shooting Association (OSSA). He also cares for 21 llamas and has had llamas in his life for 10 years.

Visit the Blue By You website: http://www.bluebyyouranch.com/

Llama Crossing will keep you up-to-date on the development of this organization and we wish to THANK everyone involved for putting llamas and alpacas FIRST.