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Caring Alpaca Becomes a Bodyguard for His Ailing Buddy

Two alpacas stand on grass near a rock, with a white fence and trees in the background.

West Place Animal Sanctuary had several animals under its care, including several Alpacas. Two Alpacas, Cash and Bobbert, used to stay together in the same stall. Bobbert was the resident superstar, and recently, he started to act strange.

Three alpacas stand near a white fence, one facing forward, two turned away, in a dry, grassy area.

Bobbert could no longer use his hind legs and his tail. According to the vet, Bobbert was infected by the meningeal worm. Treating the worm was a 5-day stringent process. Wendy Taylor, the owner of the sanctuary, chose to help Bobbert with the 5-day treatment herself.

All the time the treatment was going on, Cash would stand by their side and watch over their shoulders. Finally, after the treatment, it was time to see what Bobbert could do. They opened his stall door and let the Alpaca roam out in the open.

Two alpacas stand close, one white, one light brown, in a fenced pasture with other alpacas in the background.

Bobbert took wobbly steps while walking around the open pastures. His legs were spread far apart to help him brace himself. Thankfully, he knew how to figure it out. In the meantime, Cash stood still, curious about what was happening.

Bobbert roamed the animal trail and nine grazing pastures since he wanted to find his friends. Despite his limitations, Bobbert was determined to achieve what he set out to achieve. Although Bobbert was becoming his usual self mentally, Cash knew that his buddy needed protection.

Two alpacas stand near a white fence in a grassy field, with more animals in the background.

Cash would not let anybody touch Bobbert, nor would he allow anybody to click Bobbert's photos or film him. He was the perfect bodyguard for Bobbert. He ensured that the people at the sanctuary weren't trying to push Bobbert too fast and too hard.

Bobbert could use his tail again, and his eyes got bright again. He began acting like his original self and showed his true colors. Bobbert and Cash would always hang out together.