Trauma & Tragedy

Saturday was a day fraught with anxiety, trauma, and death.

We have three roosters, we decide two had two go. We made arrangements with our friend Donna. She lives on the farm and graciously agreed to take the obnoxious birds. Thus, my husband & Eleanor packed the birds up and began the trek to Amboy, Washington. You may have noticed I was not included in this adventure. This is because I made my way to Woodland to get my hair cut & colored. No I am NOT quite this blond.

So, I return home after my personal pampering. Usually, when I return home, be it five minutes or five days, the boys greet me with tails a wagging, tongues a licking and just sheer joy in my return. Saturday, upon returning, there was no immediate greeting, no "hi, we are so glad your home," tail wagging, as a matter of fact they were no where in sight.

I walked to the back yard. There was Rudy laying in the sun. He pulled himself up and staggered over to see me. But where was Riley & Sam?

As Rudy lumbered towards me, I noticed the garage doors ajar. Riley comes lurking out followed sheepishly by Sam. My heart jumps to my throat. I begin to fear something is terribly wrong. I walk quickly to the chicken coop. The door is open.

Feathers are EVERYWHERE!!

Chickens are no where.

Except one.

She lay completely still. Her little body broken. It must have been awful for her. Sam & Riley had killed a chicken.

I got a plastic bag scooped the dead chicken up and gave it a burial in the garbage can.

I then proceeded to be highly pissed off at my husband fo not closing the door to the chicken coop. Then, I became rational. Mistakes happen. Riley & Sam are dogs. Chicken killing dogs; none the less, just opportunistic dogs who wanted some chicken.

Feeling completely bad, I decided we needed to replace the dead chicken. When Kurt & Eleanor returned we drove over to Orchards Feed & Grain and picked out seven baby chicks.

Damn they're cute.

Now, we have seven baby chicks, three full grown chickens & one rooster. (Yes, three chickens survived as well as the rooster) The dogs were reprimanded and Kurt was lectured.)

My father will have new chickens upon his return from palm Springs I will have more eggs come August and Kurt will never leave the door ajar again.

And they lived happily ever after...