For many people, alpacas are simply cute, fluffy animals that stand peacefully in the landscape and bring a smile to your face with their big eyes and fluffy hair. But for me, they are more than that - my "animal brothers and sisters," as I jokingly put it. But it wasn't always like that.
The beginning: skepticism and distance to the alpacas
At first I didn't really know much about alpacas. I was more surprised why my mother and her partner had fallen in love with these animals so much that after much deliberation she actually brought some to our pastures. In the first few years I hardly ever visited them. I was rarely in Lower Franconia and for me alpacas were simply boring: they don't do much, they eat all day and stare into space with their fluffy heads.
Observe and slow down: Alpacas and their effect
But the longer you watch them, the more you realise that each alpaca has its own character. And you notice how curious they become when you approach them. At some point you adapt yourself to the slow, quiet life of the alpacas. You become more relaxed, slower. I started to make friends with them and to let the calmness they radiate work on me.
Instagram and the connection to Emilio
This is how the Instagram channel was created during a hospital stay. I wanted to share the sweet moments that gave me so much - the fluffy snapshots of my alpacas. I realized how much I recognized myself in one of these animals: Emilio. Emilio was insecure, reserved and often withdrawn. When he was the last to eat, you noticed how cautious he was. He didn't want to pinch anyone, he just wanted to be nice and loving - like I often am.
Emilio: A special alpaca
Emilio, the sweet guy whose nose was always twitching nervously. He was often insecure and seemed to have his own world. One day he decided to cross the "alpaca rainbow". Maybe it was his weak heart, maybe he was just tired and wanted to find some peace. Emilio is now immortalized as a tattoo on my arm so that he will always be with me.
Alpacas as companions in everyday life
Even if I don't see the animals every day, I often look at old videos and photos. These small, fluffy companions help me to distract myself from the daily challenges and worries . Nowadays, it's hard to imagine my life without them. It's not just the tattoo or the shop that connects me to them, but also the idea that they can be pioneers for our good deeds in the area of mental health. And anyone who knows me knows that I no longer let anyone leave without a little alpaca goodie - whether it's a postcard, calendar or socks.
You could say it was alpaca love – but only at second sight.
