I was awestruck the other day when a close friend mentioned that he wanted to retire to somewhere in the Pacific Northwest to raise alpacas. Alpacas?! My first question, of course: “What is an alpaca?” They be llama-lookin' things with very fine wool (hair?) – suitable for cashmere sweaters and such. If you remember Schoolhouse Rock's 'The Four-Legged Zoo,' the alpaca gets a plug in the second verse. I had no idea there was an actual alpaca industry – with pregnant female alpacas fetching around $25,000. I guess there were a few alpaca farms back in the Midwest, although I never found myself face to face with an alpaca farmer. You could probably carve out a comfortable living with 'em:

In today's alpaca market the educated breeder makes better decisions and more money. The seminars presented through the Alpaca Institute @ NWA are for those who have never owned alpacas and the experienced breeder alike. We want you to learn the secrets of the alpaca business and make sound, informed decisions. It was with this in mind that Northwest Alpacas founded the Alpaca Institute @ NWA. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics that can be crucial to the success of new and existing breeders.

I wonder if our landlord would let us house an alpaca?