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| Betsy the Wonder Duck |
by Laria |
2002-04-09 10:36:14 |
Two years ago we bought our house and included in the property is a small barn. As soon as we saw the place we started making plans for the animals we would keep - a few dairy goats... chickens for eggs... and of course we needed to put in a pond for some pet ducks.
The first year went by without livestock - needed to make some repairs to the barn before we could get anything. Finally, in the Spring of last year, we decided to go ahead and get some chickens and ducks. It was with pride that we watched our little chicks grow into nearly full-grown birds. Then the fox got in the barn.
It was the day after I'd lost twins. I got up to get myself a drink and looking out the back window I saw a beautiful fox in our yard. Then I saw him turn to head towards the barn. I called to my husband who ran out to check the birds. All were dead save one duck, who looked pretty gnawed on.
Bundling her up, we took her to the vet to get her checked out. She came home that afternoon with some medicines and instructions to take care of her. For being the lone survivor of the attack, she earned herself a name - Betsy. Because the barn door now had a hole in it from the fox, she couldn't go back there. Betsy moved into our sunroom.
For the next year, Betsy lived there in all her ducky glory. A very social critter, she loved to be around us whenever possible. We'd open the door to get her food and water and she'd waddle right in the house and sit at our feet. We'd take her outside to the yard and she would just want to be with us - sitting right next to my husband as he sat on the ground.
With a new Spring - and a new baby on the way - we fixed up the barn again and have gotten more chickens. Betsy has moved out to the barn once more. But every day when we go down to feed and water the birds, she come running right up to us, wanting afection and play time.
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[ Reply ] |
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I am sorry I didn't notice before | by Spisefisken | 2002-04-19 12:42:39 |
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