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Deepings: A-llama-ing events at village flower show
JUDGES at a village horticultural show got more than they bargained for when a cheeky llama mistook a tasty-looking exhibit for lunch.
JUDGES at a village horticultural show got more than they bargained for when a cheeky llama mistook a tasty-looking exhibit for lunch.Gardeners at the Exotic Pet Refuge, in Deeping St James, near Market Deeping, had come up with an eye-catching display of plants as part of the annual Rose and Sweet Pea competition.
But as soon as Diago the llama spotted the spider plants potted in a Victorian bath, he took a big bite and carried on munching.
Thankfully, Elaine and Tony Gregson, who had designed the exhibit, as well as judge councillor Judy Stevens, could see the funny side.
The pet refuge may have missed out on the prize for the most unusual planting in a static container, but everyone agreed its llama had stolen the show.
Pam Mansfield, owner of the refuge in Station Road, which houses a menagerie of animals from around the world, said Diago thought he was a dog and his usual fare was tinned food.
However, she said nothing the mischievous youngster did surprised her.
She said: "In most ways Diago the llama acts just like the seven dogs that he has been bought up with, including Rhodesian ridgebacks.
"But sometimes the llama in him just comes to the fore and he took one look at the spider plants and thought that it was lunchtime.
"The gardeners thought it was hilarious.
"He spits at people he doesn't like, but he's lovable and quite cheeky.
"I'm not surprised at anything he does."
Pam has looked after two-and-a-half year old Diago since he was just a day old. He was born in a thunderstorm in a farm in Wales and abandoned by his spooked mum.
The owner called Pam to ask if she could hand-rear him, and she has been with her ever since.
Cllr Judy Stevens said the llama episode had made the event one of the most memorable in its history.
She said: "The Deeping St James in Bloom Prize was awarded to Mrs Kath Henderson, but it was the lama at the Exotic Pet Refuge who stole the show when he munched into the planting carefully arranged by Tony and Elaine Gregson in a Victorian bath with plants donated by Swines Meadow Garden Centre."
Diago, along with many other exotic animals including new arrivals the Canadian Timberwolves, can be seen at the refuge's open days on Sunday and Sunday, August 16.
Related link:
Exotic Pet Refuge website - www.exoticpetrefuge.org.uk.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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