Whenever Dina Blackstone and Tracy Quinten need cheering up, they can walk outside and watch three fluffy baby alpacas pronking across the pasture.

It’s a hilarious sight. “Pronk” refers to alpaca’s habit of playfully jumping into the air mid-gallop, apparently for the pure joy of it. They look like goofy stuffed animals on a sugar high.

The “three amigos” were born on the farm near Oak Harbor last fall, marking a successful beginning to the women’s business venture.

Blackstone and Quinten moved to Whidbey Island from San Diego about a year and a half ago. They found the five-acre property on Taylor Road and purchased several alpacas with impressive pedigrees, along with a few guard llamas. They named their business Island Bliss Alpacas, with the motto “follow your bliss.”

“We just fell in love with these critters,” Quinten said.

Raising alpacas for their luxurious hair, or fiber, began in the United States about 20 years ago. But unlike other exotic-animal trends — from emus to pot belly pigs — raising alpacas may be an industry with staying power. Alpaca groups, especially in the Northwest, continue to aggressively market to prospective alpaca farmers; a national group keeps a strict registry of alpaca bloodlines and even DNA.

Quinten said the goal of alpaca boosters is to continually improve the national herd and grow it to a size that will sustain a fiber or clothing industry.

Two years ago, the women decided to leave behind successful careers in the corporate world in search of a better life. Quinten said she’s long been a “yarn junky” and knitter. She first discovered alpaca fiber at a yarn booth at a trade show. She was instantly impressed.

“It’s similar to cashmere, but hypo-allergenic,” she said. “It’s warmer and stronger than wool.”

Alpacas come in 16 natural or “registered colors,” Blackston said, from the darkest purple-black to red to snow white.

Quinten wasn’t even sure what an alpaca was, but her curiosity was sparked. She and Blackstone visited an alpaca farm in Washington, went to workshops and researched alpaca husbandry. They were hooked.

“How many investments can you go out and give a hug to?” Blackstone said.

Like many people who raise alpacas, the two women see their investment as pets as much as livestock. They hand-feed to make sure each one gets its fill. They know the names and personalities of each alpaca and llama. They have a barn and other structures to keep the herd warm. They baby the animals.

They are starting out small. Seven alpacas and three llamas currently reside at Island Bliss Alpaca. Blackstone said they hope to increase the herd to about 25 to 30 animals over the years.

The partners purchased llamas from a Whidbey llama farm to keep the alpacas safe. The larger llamas are known for being great guards against coyotes or dogs. Plus, the women love the tall, friendly animals with the “soulful eyes,” Blackstone said.

They have both learned to process the alpaca fiber into yarn. They sell scarves, hats, baby clothes, afghans, fiber and yarn at the farm.

Blackstone and Quinten have big plans for the future. They are starting a Web site, www.islandblissalpacas.com. They are very excited about showing their animals this summer and fall at major shows, including the famous Alpacapalooza event in Puyallup.

In mid-February, they are hoping to put on a “Shear Bliss” event at their alpaca ranch. They hope several alpaca owners will get their animals together for shearing. The public will be welcome to watch.

Anyone interested in the shearing event, buying alpaca fiber or clothing, or raising alpaca can reach Island Bliss Alpacas at 360-420-7130.

You can reach Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com.

or 675-6611.