Cat and Llama Overturn Friendship Norms and Become Ultimate BFFs

Meet Sparkle and Rosie, a cat and llama who have a very unlikely friendship.

Sparkle and Rosie came as a package deal when a group of llamas needed to find a new home. Roy Hernesh, director of the Farm Animal Rescue of Mifflinburg, first met the duo after taking in a pack of 10 llamas whose former owner requested that the llamas be adopted together. The former owner also requested that Hernesh take in Rosie, one of the llamas’ best friend.

“The previous owner said Rosie started hanging around the barn and the two took up a natural friendship,” Hernesh shared. “In the winter, Sparkle would be laid [on] the ground and Rosie would snuggle up to her and keep warm.”

Hernesh thought it was an unusual request, but quickly saw the bond the two animals shared.

“We thought maybe she was exaggerating a little, but they really do have a special bond and it’s sort of unusual,” Hernesh said. “I understand Rosie gets warmth and affection, [but] I’m not sure what Sparkle gets out of it. Maybe she just likes the cat. It’s really cute.”

After Hernesh realized the two animals were pretty inseparable, he started to document their time spent together.

“I think there’s a common misconception about llamas being nasty, spitting animals and they’re actually not,” Hernesh explained. “Sparkle is amongst the most receptive llamas … she loves being stroked and petted, she likes human interaction. She runs on what we call, ‘Sparkle time.’ When the herd is moving, she’s the last one … she just kind of does her own thing at her own pace and she likes to be with who she likes to be with. She has two llama friends and Rosie. She enjoys sitting in the sunshine and she’s just a pleasure for us.”

Although Sparkle is Rosie’s number one best friend, she is pretty social on the farm. Hernesh shared that the cat also likes to play with the horses, goats, and some other animals that live at the rescue.