LLAMAS, ALPACAS, POT BELLY PIGS -- OH MY!; FRUITLAND MAN'S EXOTIC ANIMAL COLLECTION BRINGS ENJOYMENT FOR MANY

Up close and personal with one of Sherrell's alpacas.

Sherrell feeds his llamas and sheep at his home.

When you find something that you enjoy you can consider yourself lucky, when you find out something you enjoy can make you money, too. Then you are blessed.

Clarence Sherrell, of Fruitland, has found such a past time. He owns a number of different types of uncommon animals.

Sherrell has llamas, alpacas, pot belly pigs, black oyster chickens, miniature south down baby doll sheep, fainting goats, a miniature horse, and a miniature donkey.

He said he bought his first llama in 1995 in Kelso. He has acquired three more and two alpacas from Illinois, Iowa, and Montana.

There is a slight difference between llamas and alpacas. Sherrell learned about alpacas while on some farm tours in New Jersey.

He said he originally got into llamas and alpacas for the enjoyment, but as he continues to research the animals, he has seen that his hobby can make him money, too.

Llamas and alpacas are used for their fiber coats that can be sheared.

Both llamas and alpacas are members of the camelid family and they make wonderful pets because they are gentle and clean animals.

Sherrell said he will someday get into making money with the animals, but for now he just really enjoys having them around his business and his home.

"I enjoy the fact that other people enjoy them," he said.

"People are always stopping and looking at the animals."

He said that it is amazing how many people see the animals from the interstate and take the exit at Fruitland and travel up the outer road to see the animals.

Sherrell added that the enjoyment the animals bring to him and his family and people that stop to see them is well worth the investment he has put into them.

The fainting goats will fall to the ground and lie stiff if they are startled, Sherrell said.

The alpacas have a thick coat of fiber that has a hollow feel something like cotton candy. The fiber is used to make expensive sweaters and blankets.

The miniature horse and donkey stand about as tall as a large dog.

Right now the animals are split up between Sherrell's place of business and his new home he is moving into just off I-55 on the west outer road near Fruitland.