Prince is a pretty chill dude.
Humans young and old hug him constantly. They stroke his long, soft hair. They beg for kisses with carrot slivers in their mouths.
Prince puts up with it all. Truth be told, he likes it. You can tell by the straight-up ears.
He’s 7 years old and in his prime – a shaggy 350-pound camelid with a busy schedule: Therapeutic sessions with stressed-out people one day; birthday or wedding the next.
We caught up with Prince in Astoria during Lupulin Ecstasy, Fort George Brewery’s IPA-themed block party. Yes, he works beer festivals, too.
Here’s what he had to say:
ABZ: What’s it like being a four-legged rock star?
Prince: [Kisses woman] Man, it’s great. Every time I enter a room, everyone looks. I can tell they’re all thinking, Why is a llama in this room?
ABZ: Everybody wants to touch you.
Prince: Yeah. For most of them, it’s a full body experience. It goes from initial fear to elation.
ABZ: Do you like working festivals like this?
Prince: Sure. People are here to give me hugs. Aggressive hugs. [Swarmed by several children] Plus, there are lots of interesting things to look at.
ABZ: What’s the best part of being a therapy llama?
Prince: Humans adoring me. They’re like all oooh and aaah. So cool.
ABZ: Do you really have what the experts call a ‘soothing aura?’
Prince: [Thoughtful pause] Gee, I don’t know. People feel good around me, and I like that.
ABZ: What’s the silliest outfit you’ve had to wear?
Prince: Oh, I was dressed up as a bride for a wedding one time. A bride! Not cool.
ABZ: What’s your favorite music?
Prince: Prince, obviously. The artist named after me.
ABZ: Makes sense. What’s your favorite beer?
Prince: A chocolatey coffee stout. It’s delicious and soothes the soul. Kinda like me.
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(Prince was channeled by his equally good-natured owner, Shannon Joy of Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, based in Ridgefield, Wash. Learn more at classycamelids.com).
