Matilda the Camel leaving town

NORCO, Calif., March 20 (UPI) -- The unofficial mascot of Norco, Calif., Matilda the Camel, is leaving town.

Matilda, her owner, George Stone, and his new wife, Sherel, are moving to a cherry orchard in New Mexico, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reports.

Stone has owned the camel since she was one day old and only about the size of a German shepherd dog. Matilda, now more than 5, helps him in his job as a family therapist for children, along with several llamas.

"Matilda and the llamas have large eyes and children respond to that," Stone said. "And animals lead with their curiosity, and children who have been abused have shut down."

At the time that Stone acquired Matilda, his first wife had just died of colon cancer, and the camel helped him survive the loss. She also helped bring him and Sherel together when the two were working at the same therapy center.

At their recent wedding, Matilda brought Sherel to the church.

The couple decided to sell their homes in Norco and start a new life together in New Mexico. But they plan to bring Matilda back once a year for Norco's Parade of Lights.