The Last "Next Big Thing"
There's always the latest new scheme in the world of animal husbandry--Emus (oil), Ostriches (eggs), exotic game birds (feathers for fly tying). Llamas were to be huge--great pack animals, protective guardians, llama wool--a single llama sold for a lot of money a short time ago, but no longer.
Reality sets in at the livestock auction. The old guys kibbitzing in the backrow are a comedy monologue: "Hey, did you see that llama sold for $35?"
"Yeh, well--it had a $40 bridle on it!"
I remember the day (take your kid to work day), I dragged Jack to a photo assignment at the Livestock auction. They were auctioning off the rabbits, and the back row comedians were doing their thing--
"Hey, what's that bunny's name, Stu (Stew)?"
Jack, horrified to think the workers that had put in a $2 bid would eat that rabbit, quickly upped the bid to $3.50, won--and named the critter Woodie, his newest pet. Woodie was mean, stunk up his bedroom (even worse than usual), scratched viciously, and needed a $75 cage the first night. It was a great relief when she escaped into the ravine in our backyard. I know the auction comedians will have a punchline for that story as well--until then, anybody need a rabbit cage?
The Last "Next Big Thing"
There's always the latest new scheme in the world of animal husbandry--Emus (oil), Ostriches (eggs), exotic game birds (feathers for fly tying). Llamas were to be huge--great pack animals, protective guardians, llama wool--a single llama sold for a lot of money a short time ago, but no longer.
Reality sets in at the livestock auction. The old guys kibbitzing in the backrow are a comedy monologue: "Hey, did you see that llama sold for $35?"
"Yeh, well--it had a $40 bridle on it!"
I remember the day (take your kid to work day), I dragged Jack to a photo assignment at the Livestock auction. They were auctioning off the rabbits, and the back row comedians were doing their thing--
"Hey, what's that bunny's name, Stu (Stew)?"
Jack, horrified to think the workers that had put in a $2 bid would eat that rabbit, quickly upped the bid to $3.50, won--and named the critter Woodie, his newest pet. Woodie was mean, stunk up his bedroom (even worse than usual), scratched viciously, and needed a $75 cage the first night. It was a great relief when she escaped into the ravine in our backyard. I know the auction comedians will have a punchline for that story as well--until then, anybody need a rabbit cage?