Llamas in Lemon Grove? Just Ask Google

His name is Google and he is an alpaca—the smaller domesticated cousin of the llama. I found him after longtime Lemon Grove resident and Patch reader Rachel Romero sent our editor this tip: “In January Corky Lang was looking for the llama of Lemon Grove and he wrote a story about our Cuyamaca Pillars, which made me proud.” She continued that she’s seen the llama six times, at the house on the southwest corner of Church Street and Buena Vista Avenue.

Romero was talking about my unsuccessful search for the llama that turned into a on her street. This weekend I made my way to the location she provided. The first slow drive by the corner house revealed nothing. Passing by for the second time, I noticed a bale of hay in the back of the pickup truck in the driveway. This looked promising. On my third (always the charm) trip around the block, I spotted the elusive prey through the fence in the backyard.

I parked across the street, and worked up the nerve to knock on a complete stranger’s door to inquire about the llama in the back. Luckily, Leasa Hilliard could not have been nicer when she answered the door. She asked if I would like to meet Google and explained, while leading me to the side gate, that this was an alpaca, not a llama.

Once in the backyard I got to meet the shy and oh-so-cute alpaca. Google is one year old, stands about three feet high, and is covered with luxuriously thick silky hair the color of creamy coffee. Hilliard described him as a funny-looking deer with eyes as big as golf balls. When I got close enough to see his eyes, they did look googly and I quickly understood another reason for his name. Google was a little skittish at first, but soon calmed down and started doing what alpacas do best: grazing.

This is Hilliard’s first alpaca, and she told me how easy Google is to have as a pet. He is quiet, only making a little honking noise when worried, and extremely tidy, even leaving his “pellets” in the same spot each day. The alpaca is social, too—most days he hangs in the yard with his four cat buddies, and occasionally goes inside for a bit of TV watching.

One of Google’s favorite activities is a leashed walk to the nearby park around sunset for some premium grazing. Hilliard said the alpaca attracts a lot of attention when out for a walk, and compared it to walking George Clooney on a leash.

I asked if there were any drawbacks to raising this unusual pet. She said spitting is perhaps the least endearing feature of alpacas. The material is basically regurgitated or recently-chewed grass that has a distinctive and somewhat offensive odor. Hilliard said the spitting is rare, and only happens when an alpaca is upset. She said it is best to avoid being a target by moving away if you see the ears go back and you start hearing a gurgling sound.

Alpacas can also make you money. Their owners have them sheared once a year and sell the fine fibers, which are used for luxury clothing.

So you’re telling me I could have a pet that keeps the yard trimmed; doesn’t bark, bite or need constant attention; poops non-smelly pellets in a neat little pile, which can be used for fertilizer; and puts around $400 in my pocket each year….  Fido, are you listening?

Hilliard thinks she has the only alpaca in Lemon Grove. If anyone else has one, let me know and I’ll put you in touch. I am sure Google would love a play date.