3 minute read
Allan
A PLUS-ONE WHO’S A REAL PARTY ANIMAL
On a quaint little farm just 20 minutes from Airdrie lives an alpaca who has stolen the hearts of many in the community.
With his thick padded feet, big furry nose and teeny black eyes, Allen the Alpaca is a curious sight at weddings and birthday parties across the province.
It all started when Morgan Cooper and Carly Ingeveld picked him up in the back of a Jeep Grand Cherokee as a companion for other animals on the farm.
On a whim they decided to bring Allen to a llama-themed birthday party.
“We just thought it was a funny joke, honestly. Let’s get an alpaca, that would be funny,” says Ingeveld.
“I ended up taking him to my niece’s birthday party so the kids could see an alpaca close up. I had all these other parents ask me if I would do that for them. So we said ‘why not,’ and he completely exploded, and he was booked solid for a month.”
Since that party, Allen has made special appearances at retirement homes, bachelorette parties and even Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang’s home. Allen can also come for individual visits, travelling to homes as far as Okotoks, Chestermere, Didsbury and Cochrane.
A REAL PARTY ANIMAL Ingeveld says when Allen walks into a room, people’s moods instantly lighten at the sight of the furry, three-foot-tall alpaca. Especially if he is glammed up wearing a tie, necklace or sunglasses.
Some kids, however, need to take a minute to adjust to his confidence before eventually warming up to him.
“He has so much confidence, like he pretty much thinks he runs the show. If you take him past a mirror, he is literally obsessed with himself. So, he is always making people laugh,” says Ingeveld.
“That’s so heartwarming for us to see, because you know he puts a smile on people’s faces. He just brings a little joy to your day.”
Generally, Allen is happy to just cuddle up with guests, eat snacks and watch cartoons. His favourite food is bananas, but occasionally he enjoys a house plant or two. He also has yet to make a mess of someone’s house, Ingeveld points out.
Allen can be booked for around $200 for a one-hour visit, and he doesn’t have to come alone. Fuzz Bucket, a mini potbelly pig, and Stanley, a black sheep, can also accompany Allen for an additional cost.
Barn visits can also be booked, where people can enjoy meeting Allen and even more of his animal friends.
A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT Allen’s popularity in Airdrie and surrounding communities has gone beyond meet and greets.
Airdrie-based Kim’s House of Baking creates special Allen-themed cupcakes that can be ordered for partygoers. Last year, a local woman even took fleece from Allen’s spring shave to make hats out of it.
He also has more than 13,000 fans on Facebook and Instagram combined and receives messages from all over the world.
“He has given us very cool opportunities to meet a lot of really nice, interesting people,” says Ingeveld.
“I think it just speaks to how much the community loves him as much as we do.”
It hasn’t all gone to Allen’s head though. When at home, Ingeveld says, he’s just like any other alpaca.
“He loves to run around and play with the horses we have,” says Ingeveld.
“I think sometimes he even thinks he is a horse. We have a heated barn, so he cuddles up in there with everyone and you wouldn’t know this five-year-old alpaca is more famous than I’ll ever be.” life
