Saturday, March 22, 2014

Rest in Peace, My Feathered Friend

Poor Duckin' A. (Or Mother Ducker...I never could tell them apart.)

I went out to feed the horses Friday night and saw him/her/it laying on the ground, all tucked up. After saying "Oh nooooo" and making a sad face, I rolled it over and didn't see any blood or ruffled feathers, so I think (I hope) it was a peaceful passing.

I remember getting those little duckies...it was during a first date. I had seen an ad on Craigslist for two free ducklings in the town where the date was, so I asked him if he wanted to go with me. The relationship didn't work out, but at least I had the ducks.



I also remember letting those little duckies swim in the pond, and then being unable to get them out, wading after them, forgetting that my cell phone was in my pocket.



One of them got trampled by Jax, and one of them got a weird injury (it may have been the same duck, I really can't tell them apart.) Both times I thought the affected duck would die, either from infection or from being eaten because it couldn't get away. Both times it/they survived.

The ducks weren't super friendly to humans, but they loved each other. They would go right up to the horses and steal their grain. Skitters could approach with no problem. And they really did start to warm up to me this winter. I would randomly hear quacks; they would come all the way up to the porch if I hadn't gone out to feed yet.  Sometimes they'd be in the garage, just chillin'.  They wouldn't panic if I got too near. They almost bowled Casey over when she was crouched down in the stall.  They even let Audrey chase them.


The barn just isn't the same without the background music of a duck duet.

Farewell, Duck #1. I hope you didn't give up on life because you thought spring will never come. I feel the same way, but I get by. 

Duck #2, you don't seem too affected right now, but I hope you don't get despondent.  :(  I'm gonna try to force you to be my friend.

And then there was one.


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