Sunday, January 5, 2014

~LOSSES~

When it comes to the loss or death of a beloved  pet, saying goodbye is never easy... With the start of Fall sadly my losses began ...Sadie Mae, the feline matriarch of Dog Trot Farm disappeared...  she simply vanished... gone...I have yet to adopt another cat...
Phoebe's untimely death took me by complete surprise...she exhibited no external signs of illness...sometime Thursday evening Phoebe closed her eyes, went to sleep  ...her death was discovered Friday morning by Mr. Dog Trot...
  Dear, dear Loretta...my sweet little banty... died in November and is dearly missed...Loretta was a happy little hen... she so enjoyed keeping me abreast of the goings on in the chicken coop...Loretta never had a bad word to say about anyone...
Sweet Lulu Belle...one day her comb became pale and floppy her health quickly began to deteriorate...Soon we both realized, she and I, her time on earth would quickly be coming to an end...During her last days Lulu was given tender loving care, I thanked her for all the many beautiful eggs she had laid...  I remained close by her side...Lulu Belle is buried in the flower garden next to Gladys...
 Annabelle, my meek... shy... little girl...and soul mate to Don Juan...died in December...
 Don Juan's tiny heart was broken after Annabelle's passing you could see the sadness in his eyes...he was lost without her... I never heard Don Juan crow again...Yesterday his heart ceased to beat, perhaps even roosters  die of a broken heart...burial will be in the spring...
 Chicken keeping has many rewards... there is heartache too...but the rewards prevail over heartache...
I'm still on the fence about getting chicks in the spring...
Now a bit of good news, the new season of Downton Abbey returns this evening!!!

28 comments:

Michelle said...

So sorry. So much loss. I think new chicks in the spring would be good and maybe a visit to a pet shelter may help and maybe you could bring some love to s cat or two

crazymimi said...

So sorry for your loss of you faithful pets! I so enjoy reading your post.

summersundays-jw said...

So sorry! You've been very lucky to have those quirky little personalities running around your farm....as were they to have been picked & loved by you. I'm excited for tonight, too....can't wait! Stay warm! Jan

Primitive Stars said...

Oh my, so sorry to hear about your beloved pets. My heart is heavy about all the losses you endured, Hugs Francine.

Jennifer said...

So sad to lose these sweet friends, but aren't you lucky to have had them in your life. Your photos are beautiful and a treasured memory of each of them. Thank you for sharing.

Prims By The Water said...

So sad about your losses. We lost our dear Tanner cat last Spring, but a new fur baby came to live with us a few months afterwards. I do hope you will get more chicks as they will bring you more good memories. Take care, Janice

jaz@octoberfarm said...

this is so sad. my heart just breaks for you. please think about getting new chicks! any that come your way would find chicken heaven!

Farm Girl said...

I am so sorry Julie, That is one of the thing I will never get over and that is the loss of my chickens. Every single one is a heart break and a deep loss.
I have decided I will get chicks in the spring. My bantam's are great layers but I do miss my big hens. So I will get nine brown egg layers.
Yay for Downton!!! I can;t wait! Have a nice evening and I am so sorry for all of the losses.

Gail said...

So sorry for your losses.

It's never easy.

Unknown said...

so sorry about the loss of your animals/friends....that white hen with the black feathers on her tail, she is beautiful!!!

Earlene said...

Oh no another one...I am so sorry and so sad.
((((Hugs))))
Earlene

Ginny said...

Aww Julie, I am so sorry. I have not been blogging much, I lost my last little girl duck on Dec.18th This one really hit me, my last duck. It hurt as much as the first. Hugs to you my blogger friend.

acorn hollow said...

So sorry for the loss of your chickens it is hard to lose them.
Cathy

Willow said...

It is hard so isn't it , animal loving people understand. I am still kind of amazed that some people just don't, but then again I guess not everyone has had the pleasure of loving an animal.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Julie,
I guess I never thought about it, but I suppose all your chickens are waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.
I hope you are staying warm. It is still raining in Ohio but that will change very soon to snow, wind and frigid temps.
Hugs :)
Lauren

annie said...

Our dear friend Charlotte, left her cat Skiddy, age 12 with the Vet yesterday hoping he might rally one more time. Alas, he did not, she told us yesterday she would give any amount of money for a vet bill even & was even considering taking him to Atlanta to a special hospital if it would save him. But it was not to be, she got the call yesterday, he was gone. It's hard letting go, no matter what, Hugs to you Julie.

Sandra said...

I just came over from Melody's blog. And was really sorry to read about the painfull losses of dear furry and feathery friends. I am sure roosters can die of a broken heart, too :(

Jacque. said...

This made me so sad...so many losses for you this past year.

Michelle said...

My condolences. Always difficult to lose an animal.

jennifer768 said...

So very sorry for your loss! I am still not over the loss of 40 + birds in one night last spring! It was horrible.Having animals is very rewarding but can be heartbreaking also.Big hugs my friend.Jen

Wendy @ Ravenwood Whimzies said...

How well I can understand your feelings....seven of my sweet girls were killed by a mink this past week. We had tried so hard to protect them with fencing all around their pen, top and buried in the ground too, but ultimately, it was the freezing weather, which heaved up the gate to the pen just enough for a small space to occur, and let in the terrible mink, who killed just to kill...I am heartbroken as well.
I am so sorry for your losses...how sad your rooster would die of a broken heart :-(

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

Hi Julie. I am so sorry for all of your losses. It is so hard I know. Animals bring us so much joy, but it is so painful when we lose them.
Hugs to you.
Janet

Freckled Hen said...

Hugs to you, it is such a hard thing to lose pets. Sending happy thoughts your way on this rainy and gray day.

jody said...

Oh my gosh.. So hard but yes they give us so much!! Hopefully spring will be here soon and we can bask in the warmth with our fur babe memories!

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

My condolences on the loss of your feathered and furry friends/family. Clearly they were loved. I hope spring finds you ready to fill your brooder with new chicks and perhaps adopt a new needy kitten.
hugs
Leslie

~ Janis said...

All these animals leave a legacy in our hearts, once the grief passes. I lost 2 young hens, one kidnapped by a predator in September and one died 2 weeks ago after I had nursed her back to health in my kitchen and taken her to the vets. I thought she would be fine and yet she decided differently. It hurts. I am an emotional farmer.
And I agree with you--thank goodness! for Downton Abby to take our minds off of bone chilling cold and lost friends. This will be Lady Ediths year!

Terry and Linda said...

I so understand your loss...it's been like that here for my daughter and her furry and feathered friends.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Flat Creek Farm said...

Too much heartbreak! :( So sorry for all the losses - I understand. They were all beautiful, and will be forever remembered and loved. Hugs, Tammy