Life never seems to stop amazing me. I was home from work early tonight, and sitting in my chair by the fire, quietly relaxing with a nice glass of wine. It was so peaceful and warm, that I began to doze off. Suddenly, the ducks started quacking up a storm, and jolted my soul back into my body, and woke me up. I went to the window and looked at them. The chickens were already in the coop by dark as usual, and the ducks were in the run. Falling into that relaxing abyss, I had of course, forgot to go out and close the run gate. I figured that's what they were quacking about, and I would head out and close it up in a few minutes. I put a couple more logs in the wood stove, and closed it up. The ducks started again, and were louder than I have ever heard them. There are nine ducks, and let me tell you, they can make a good ruckus sometimes. Anyway, I put my boots back on, grabbed my coat and went out the back deck door. They were going crazy. I've never seen them so frantic. When I got down to the run, one of my dark brown chickens was in the duck pool. Half sunk in the water, and was about to drown. Usually the chickens just stand on the edge and drink, but some how or another, she had fallen in. It was freezing outside. I didn't see her from the window, but there she was. I dashed into the coop run, and grabbed her up out of the icy water, and held her close to me. I went into the house with her, and patted her with a towel to dry her off, before putting her into the coop with the rest of the flock. The ducks were again quiet, and just laying on the ground inside the run, except for one. She was standing, flapping her wings up and down. I noticed she too was all wet. She is waterproof I thought, and would dry on her own. I closed it up, and thanked them for their help. That chicken would be dead right now, if they had not noisily persisted until I went outside and found her. Back inside I filled my glass one more time, and sat pondering in my warm chair. Eleven chickens, and nine ducks. Two different species living comfortably together. So much so, that the ducks were bothered, by seeing her headed toward her demise. The rest of the chickens were all in the coop on the roost, while this all went on. I mean, like people get mugged in cities, and a lot of the time, no one responds to help. Turning and walking away while someone is in trouble. I have told you before that I learn a lot from my animals. For the ducks to care enough to scream for help, is an amazing thing to me. I remember once a few years ago, one of my drake's staged a fit, and would not let my wife close him in the run. When I went out he kept looking at the nursery coop. I had left the top open on the ducklings. As soon as I closed it, he went into the run. I would like to think, if I ever saw someone in trouble, that I would be instantly front and center to help. I wonder if the ducks had hands, would they have rescued the hen on their own. Then I wondered about the one wet duck. Did she accidently knock the chicken into the pool, or did she perhaps jump in, and try to push the chicken up and out. I guess I'll never know. But they did save her life tonight, and for that, I am truly grateful. In the morning they get treats. I learned tonight that we are all different. And that's a good thing. As long as we treat each other with love and respect, we are saving each other's lives every day. Yes, like the ducks , I will scream when I see trouble, and with all my might, act to keep another soul safe, regardless of who they are. May your night be happy, and may your fears be relieved. Sleep well, as always, I love you!
I went outside to grab some firewood just before dinner, and as always, I scanned the yard doing a quick count of the birds. Nine ducks, but only ten chickens. I looked a little closer, and the one chicken missing was the one that almost drowned last night. My heart began to beat a bit faster, and my stomach got that empty sick feeling as I scrambled around the yard looking for her. I guess her time was up after all. Maybe a early bird fox or raccoon got her. As I walked over to the wood pile feeling a little bit down, I checked the coop thinking maybe she died from the excitement last night and was still inside. I opened the door, and sure enough there she was. But she wasn't dead. She was already up on the roost, and at the top of the pecking order. She must have gone in early, and I can't say as I blame her. I went over to the roost and pet her. Good girl I said, and then I turned to go and get the wood. She is not the top hen so I will have to go look later to see if the boss lady let's her stay where she is, or will she be forced back down to her station in the flock. Maybe she gets to be queen for a day. I'm ok with that. Well that's it for now, so let me wish you a peaceful evening, and a wonderful week ahead. I can never say thank you enough. I love you!