I’m a softy.
I didn’t grow up on a farm raising my own animals, naming them only to kill them and eat them.
We have “lost” two geese in the past two weeks.
First was papa goose.
During the flooding of the lower acreage the geese would swim all over the place. Remember the neighbor’s field of winter wheat?
After one of their adventures to who knows where, all the geese came back but papa goose. We waited and watched for days. Nothing. Michael did some research and we found out that geese mate for life and are very family focused. If threatened, a male goose will stay behind fighting the threat and giving the family a chance to escape.
We see coyotes in the lower acreage occasionally and although I think our town is too populated there are Mountain Lions not far from here. We have decided that a coyote probably got him.
Since papa’s absence the largest of the white geese has been seen fighting with the largest of the “babies”. Maybe that baby is a male. We have seen them fight multiple times.
New Year’s morning Michael noticed only six geese standing on our frozen pond.
Then he saw the seventh. Dead in the water.
I don’t know what happened. Either he drowned on his own or the big white goose drowned him.
Nicholas and a friend broke through the ice and paddled the canoe out to retrieve his body for burial.
I have a hard enough time when I see a dead animal on the side of the road. How much harder it is when I know the animal, I fed the animal, I enjoy watching the animal?
Also, our precious kitty that adopted us this summer has been gone for about a month now.
Michael and Joshua think he found another home.
I guess I need to toughen up. I doubt I will though.
I just keep reminding my self that there will be no death in Heaven.
Hugs to each of you,
Karen
My tender-hearted friend,
I so understand your heartache. I cannot recount how many cruel deaths we have had to endure on the farm. That is not to further discourage you, but to let you know that I was not prepared to experience some of the obvious and sometimes unexplained tragedies of ‘death’ of those birds and beasts who live along with us. It doesn’t get any easier, and I often feel that my heart is not equipped for those seemingly unnecessary deaths and injuries.
Well, let’s take heart and hope that we can minimize those occurrences, and thank God for giving us stewardship for however long we have our animal and feathered friends.
It IS really hard. I went did the morning barn duties at 5:45 this morning (feed, water, etc.) and opened the doors so they could go into their outside pens. When I headed back about 6:20 it was still so dark I decided to shut the doors because I was worried that a coyote might come up. We do what we can.
I hope you had lovely holidays,
Love,
Karen
Oh how well I remember my first years on the farm…Animals needing shots, breedings, dead ones, butchering, sickness, coyotes, etc….
You will tough with time but don’t ever loose your sensitive heart. God gave us dominion over the animals but He also told us to care for them. It is bittersweet but well worth the work and life lessons we learn as we walk the path.
Enjoy dear friend.
Thank you. It is all so new to me. How long does “newbie” status last?
I sure hope you will come visit us this summer.
Love,
Karen
Losing animals is never easy, even when you raise your own meat. It’s always difficult. Always, always. Don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s okay to feel the way you do. Hugs!
There are few things worse than losing one of your animal friends. I feel for you. I know it’s a natural part of life, especially on a farm, but that fact doesn’t make it any easier. You are strong, though! I am sure your adorable cat found a new home. He’ll probably be back soon. My MIL has had several cats adopt her and one was gone for 3 months last year, but he came back eventually and has been there ever since! (They both actually sleep on her porch and rarely leave! It doesn’t hurt that my husband bought them outdoor kitty warming pads!)
It is hard. My husband shot the really aggressive white goose today. I wasn’t home, but he said it was trying to drown one of the others. Hopefully that will end the power struggle but I’m worried it won’t.
Karen
Emily said, “What! Geeses before nieces? She was hoping for a post about our visit.
OOO. We had fun . Thanks again.
Lisa, Emily, and Sarah.
OOO
Oh, I wondered if someone would mention that. The papa goose went missing first. That is that whole chronological order thing that my personality likes.
Your visit will be on there Friday.
Please come and stay anytime you want. It was wonderful.
Love,
Karen