- Thread starter
- #41
Dear BYC Friends,
I thought I'd share with you the next chapter. Ellie, without her sweet BJ.
After BJ died on October 13, Ellie was so utterly lost, so somber. After all, she had been treated like a princess by BJ for the 3 1/4 years they were together and never wanted for a thing. He fed her, he found her earthly treats about which she squealed with delight , he always put her before himself, he warmed nests for her, he protected her at all times, and they snuggled together at night like peas in a pod, sweet heads touching. Ellie stood in one spot all that fateful day, not moving except for occasionally walking in small circles. Breaks my heart to think of what she must have witnessed as BJ was dying
.
I hated to have to go to work that day. That night when I got back I didn't want to leave her - she was so sad - but because of the kindness of a fellow BYCer who reached out offering to help Ellie, that evening I drove to meet the person who was to become Ellie's guardian angel. Jill (jillylam here on BYC) lives only about a half hour away and at her generous invitation to visit her place, I went there to meet her and her 4 beautiful feather-kids. Jill and I had corresponded from time to time over the past couple of years and now finally met, wishing of course that it had been under happy circumstances. Jill and the home she provides for her feathered friends are both truly wonderful and so the next day I brought dear lonely Ellie to her. Jill's warm and gentle way helped put Ellie at ease. Poor Ellie - her whole world had imploded in a matter of a day - losing her beloved BJ, losing her home, her trusted people...yet being all alone at my place was not going to work for her and it would have been close to impossible for me to integrate new feather-buddies, with very long non-optional work hours that would have meant lack of needed supervision to ensure everyone fared okay (darker earlier now would have meant never getting back in daylight at least 5 days a week...). Add to that that the rampantly running dogs in the past couple of years (which caused me to have to greatly restrict BJ and Ellie's freedom - this made them sad), and certain lower life form people trying to create an issue about my having these beautiful beings in town........
Introducing a lone hen to an established group, we worried. For as we all know, this can sometimes be challenging, if not downright disastrous.
But this time the universe was kind.
Jill started Ellie out in a large dog crate in the coop for a couple of nights so that Jill's 4 resident hens - Arlene, Lou Lou, Suzie, Sweetie Pie - and Ellie - could see each other but no one could get hurt. Jill so kindly welcomed me to visit at will to help Ellie feel some continuity and comfort in her turned upside down world, so I was there to visit each of the first few days (and periodically since). Jill even made Ellie her own lovely run so she could be by herself initially - able to see the others, and they her, but without the stress of having to directly interact.
At first Ellie was so depleted by the stress of losing BJ and all the other changes that she developed diarrhea and was so tired she was sleeping a lot in broad daylight, so not like her. When she was awake, she was eating grass like a maniac, trying to look busy, I think. Jill provided her a comfy spot to rest in the sun, with her food and water right next to her, treats she was used to at the ready. We hoped it wasn't anything serious (we knew Ellie and Jill's birds had long been well and healthy) and thankfully after a few days she was feeling better.
After just a couple/few nights, Ellie wanted out of that crate at night, pacing, and talking, insisting on joining the others. Jill let her out and watched everyone very carefully and even got up very early the next morning (and the next one after that, and after that.....) to make sure all would be well. To our great relief, there were no major problems! Just itsy bitsy angst here and there initially but no fighting, no bloodshed. The leader, Lou Lou, has essentially deferred to Ellie and Jill has observed that they seem to like to hang out near each other. The one achingly sad thing is that Ellie insists on leaving the space next to her on the perch open at bedtime. We think she may be saving the space for her BJ roo
I want to hug her gently and kiss her and somehow convey that we understand.....
I miss BJ and Ellie greatly - things are so sadly quiet and empty where she and BJ used to be - but I am so very grateful that Ellie is with such a loving person. I cherish my visits with her. I want her to know that I still love her, that the world she knew and loved is not entirely gone. I was there last weekend and when she heard me call her name she came running, running.... The tears can't help but flow (just writing this causes same as I replay it in my mind's eye...). My heart aches, thinking how she's been such a brave big girl, putting one foot in front of the other, facing all these changes, not complaining, just dealing. She is an intrepid spirit, and has gone about the business of exploring her new world. I could not be more grateful that she has such a kind person in Jill to draw comfort from and to feel that same human guardianship and love that had her so at ease with me.
I'm making myself gradually spread the time out between visits so Ellie can bond with Jill and her new feather-friends [Jill has been so graciously welcoming but I also want her to have time to herself!]. Jill generously updates me and reports that Elllie is doing well. With Jill's permission, I am posting some photos of Ellie at her guardian angel's home, along with photos of her new feather family. Well, okay, lots of photos!!! This fine little group of feathered wonders is so beautiful I could take a bazillion photos.......
Hope you enjoy them.
THANK YOU JILL. You saved a tender, brave lovely life.
No matter what I write, I could never do enough justice to how wonderful you've been.
Ellie in her new yard, several weeks after arriving there.....
In the beginning, Ellie had some alone time in her new house so she could relax and get her bearings. She took naps in the sun and Jill jept a close eye on her
The girls, in one of their lovely hang-outs under some shrubs
Their lovely house, in the background. Plenty of space for all, so a great hang out in inclement weather. Jill has a brilliant fencing/gate system that allowed Ellie to initially have her own space so that everyone could get used to one another without colliding!
The best tree to hang out under, and in
This is that incredible tree
Early on, Ellie gently settling in near the others, trying to fit in...(Ellie is the only black feathered gal in the bunch)
Just part of the beautiful yard they have to play in - part of this is where Ellie spent her initial days, getting used to things...Jill is amazing - the very night we met she put up that green fence to section off a great area for Ellie. Now everyone is intergrated and the areas all connect again...
Preening, napping time....
Ellie and Lou Lou
Of course I brought blueberries and sunflower seed
Making friends
Love this one
Lou Lou and Ellie
Fuzzy butts
Hugs Ellie,
I miss BJ too and will always love both of you. JJ
Editing to gradually caption some of these photos...would like to have everyone's names included but in some of the shots I can't quite yet distinguish between Arlene, Suzie and Sweetie Pie!
I thought I'd share with you the next chapter. Ellie, without her sweet BJ.
After BJ died on October 13, Ellie was so utterly lost, so somber. After all, she had been treated like a princess by BJ for the 3 1/4 years they were together and never wanted for a thing. He fed her, he found her earthly treats about which she squealed with delight , he always put her before himself, he warmed nests for her, he protected her at all times, and they snuggled together at night like peas in a pod, sweet heads touching. Ellie stood in one spot all that fateful day, not moving except for occasionally walking in small circles. Breaks my heart to think of what she must have witnessed as BJ was dying
I hated to have to go to work that day. That night when I got back I didn't want to leave her - she was so sad - but because of the kindness of a fellow BYCer who reached out offering to help Ellie, that evening I drove to meet the person who was to become Ellie's guardian angel. Jill (jillylam here on BYC) lives only about a half hour away and at her generous invitation to visit her place, I went there to meet her and her 4 beautiful feather-kids. Jill and I had corresponded from time to time over the past couple of years and now finally met, wishing of course that it had been under happy circumstances. Jill and the home she provides for her feathered friends are both truly wonderful and so the next day I brought dear lonely Ellie to her. Jill's warm and gentle way helped put Ellie at ease. Poor Ellie - her whole world had imploded in a matter of a day - losing her beloved BJ, losing her home, her trusted people...yet being all alone at my place was not going to work for her and it would have been close to impossible for me to integrate new feather-buddies, with very long non-optional work hours that would have meant lack of needed supervision to ensure everyone fared okay (darker earlier now would have meant never getting back in daylight at least 5 days a week...). Add to that that the rampantly running dogs in the past couple of years (which caused me to have to greatly restrict BJ and Ellie's freedom - this made them sad), and certain lower life form people trying to create an issue about my having these beautiful beings in town........
Introducing a lone hen to an established group, we worried. For as we all know, this can sometimes be challenging, if not downright disastrous.
But this time the universe was kind.
Jill started Ellie out in a large dog crate in the coop for a couple of nights so that Jill's 4 resident hens - Arlene, Lou Lou, Suzie, Sweetie Pie - and Ellie - could see each other but no one could get hurt. Jill so kindly welcomed me to visit at will to help Ellie feel some continuity and comfort in her turned upside down world, so I was there to visit each of the first few days (and periodically since). Jill even made Ellie her own lovely run so she could be by herself initially - able to see the others, and they her, but without the stress of having to directly interact.
At first Ellie was so depleted by the stress of losing BJ and all the other changes that she developed diarrhea and was so tired she was sleeping a lot in broad daylight, so not like her. When she was awake, she was eating grass like a maniac, trying to look busy, I think. Jill provided her a comfy spot to rest in the sun, with her food and water right next to her, treats she was used to at the ready. We hoped it wasn't anything serious (we knew Ellie and Jill's birds had long been well and healthy) and thankfully after a few days she was feeling better.
After just a couple/few nights, Ellie wanted out of that crate at night, pacing, and talking, insisting on joining the others. Jill let her out and watched everyone very carefully and even got up very early the next morning (and the next one after that, and after that.....) to make sure all would be well. To our great relief, there were no major problems! Just itsy bitsy angst here and there initially but no fighting, no bloodshed. The leader, Lou Lou, has essentially deferred to Ellie and Jill has observed that they seem to like to hang out near each other. The one achingly sad thing is that Ellie insists on leaving the space next to her on the perch open at bedtime. We think she may be saving the space for her BJ roo
I miss BJ and Ellie greatly - things are so sadly quiet and empty where she and BJ used to be - but I am so very grateful that Ellie is with such a loving person. I cherish my visits with her. I want her to know that I still love her, that the world she knew and loved is not entirely gone. I was there last weekend and when she heard me call her name she came running, running.... The tears can't help but flow (just writing this causes same as I replay it in my mind's eye...). My heart aches, thinking how she's been such a brave big girl, putting one foot in front of the other, facing all these changes, not complaining, just dealing. She is an intrepid spirit, and has gone about the business of exploring her new world. I could not be more grateful that she has such a kind person in Jill to draw comfort from and to feel that same human guardianship and love that had her so at ease with me.
I'm making myself gradually spread the time out between visits so Ellie can bond with Jill and her new feather-friends [Jill has been so graciously welcoming but I also want her to have time to herself!]. Jill generously updates me and reports that Elllie is doing well. With Jill's permission, I am posting some photos of Ellie at her guardian angel's home, along with photos of her new feather family. Well, okay, lots of photos!!! This fine little group of feathered wonders is so beautiful I could take a bazillion photos.......
Hope you enjoy them.
THANK YOU JILL. You saved a tender, brave lovely life.
Ellie in her new yard, several weeks after arriving there.....
In the beginning, Ellie had some alone time in her new house so she could relax and get her bearings. She took naps in the sun and Jill jept a close eye on her
The girls, in one of their lovely hang-outs under some shrubs
Their lovely house, in the background. Plenty of space for all, so a great hang out in inclement weather. Jill has a brilliant fencing/gate system that allowed Ellie to initially have her own space so that everyone could get used to one another without colliding!
The best tree to hang out under, and in
This is that incredible tree
Early on, Ellie gently settling in near the others, trying to fit in...(Ellie is the only black feathered gal in the bunch)
Just part of the beautiful yard they have to play in - part of this is where Ellie spent her initial days, getting used to things...Jill is amazing - the very night we met she put up that green fence to section off a great area for Ellie. Now everyone is intergrated and the areas all connect again...
Preening, napping time....
Ellie and Lou Lou
Of course I brought blueberries and sunflower seed
Love this one
Lou Lou and Ellie
Fuzzy butts
Hugs Ellie,
Editing to gradually caption some of these photos...would like to have everyone's names included but in some of the shots I can't quite yet distinguish between Arlene, Suzie and Sweetie Pie!
Last edited:
