Heartsick

[Stephine]

Hi there. I don’t really know where to post this but I am just heartsick today.
We had to flee the fire ravaging Glen Ellen late last night. Fire was approaching feom two directions and I had to get my family out. A friend got the horses loaded up and drove them to safety. I loaded our Subi up with official papers and photographs and a few of our favorite things. The kids and the dog. We had to leave the cooped up for the night chickens behind. And the mostly outdoor cats. I thought about opening the coop for the chickens but then they would surely be attacked by a predator of which we have so many. Was still hoping for the best. Now it seems we have lost everything unless there was a miracle. We can’t get in to check yet. If the chickens didn’t burn up with the coop they surely died from the smoke. Which is maybe mercyful because by now they would surely benout of feed and worse, out of water. And it is still warm out there... And I just raised this gorgeous wonderful all around SFH cockerel. And the prettiest SFH millefleur pullet. Little Buttercup who won this years first flock to lay award as a flock of one pullet and one cockerel. Plus I love all my “older”17 months old hens too.
I couldn’t take them because we didn’t have more drivers. One more person to drive and we could have stuffed them all in the truck and gotten them out. But it was just me. I feel awful.
Sleep well tonight - and if you have a home, appreciate the heck out of it.

 

[twigcrafter]

I'm so sorry this is happening to you, your family, your neighbors, and live stock. Sending prayers of hope

 

[17 chickens]

My heart is with you!

 

[Kogei Kipkosgei]

Sorry..... bust still hope for the best

 

[N F C]

So sorry for your loss, not only of the birds but so much else.

 

[aart]

Horrifying.
I can NOT imagine being in that position and having to make those decisions.
Glad you and your children are safe.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Agree with Aart. I couldn't imagine being in that situation...

 

[rebrascora]

How totally horrifying! I will keep my fingers crossed for you that there is some best case scenario and all is not lost.

 

[Zoomie]

I am so, so very sorry. My husband is the local fire chief here and we've seen this happen with home fires, where the house is lost and so are any pets they could not get out. It is just horrifying and heartbreaking. I am however really relieved to hear that you and your children are OK, no burns, no smoke inhalation.

One of my neighbors who lost her home commented, that although there was great loss she also felt great comfort as the whole community reached out to help. I do hope that your community will come together. Best wishes for you and your family.

 

[Windus]

Sleep well tonight - and if you have a home, appreciate the heck out of it.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I know a little of your pain after loosing my coop and chickens to a flood a few months ago but thankfully our house was spared. Take care of yourself and don't get too caught up in thinking about what happened to them. There was nothing you could do, your family had to come first.