MJ's little flock

[Grammy60]

Good evening MJ and everyone

 

[BY Bob]

I'm surprised we don't get mixed up more often

Me as well. In fact I'm sure I have.

 

[BY Bob]

I have a very painful chicken story too. I don't mention Dora, Alice and Nigella very often because their lives were taken by Mr and Mrs Fox because I wasn't diligent enough. It was a very, very hard lesson. Many tears were spilled.

Part of Daisy's story is also Elphie's story. It ends in tragedy as well. I think this adds to my trepidation to explore those memories.

 

[Shadrach]

It became very out of fashion to attach emotions to animals but I think anyone who's really paying attention understands they form friendships & deep bonds.

My cats are older rescue kittens. They saw a lot of animals leave & never return before I got them so when I had to take Kirby to the vet Marlow lost it. He grieved deeply, thinking, I am sure, he would never see his bonded brother again. When I brought Kirby home again, Marlow's joy & relief were evident. Kirby, who had had a chicken wishbone removed from 1/2way down his throat, was less enthusiastic!

Same with the chickens. They have the ones they prefer to roost next too ~ & those they avoid. There are some odd friendships; Lottie & Tuppence for example. Ha'penny is more likely to run with Luna or Hepzibah.

The resistance to anthropomorphism has slowed down scientific investigation of animal behavior for a long long time. It is changing slowly.

 

[Shadrach]

I can't explain why it is so hard for me to tell her story. For some reason I can't sit and write down the memories. I need to get back to it. When I do I wil post them in Fluffy Butt Acres. They are part of those stories and should stay there too.

I've got a couple like that. They should have gone in the book but I just can't write them.

 

[Ribh]

The resistance to anthropomorphism has slowed down scientific investigation of animal behavior for a long long time. It is changing slowly.

Hopefully we'll get to the point where we don't experiment on animals, causing them untold grief & pain. They have a remarkable ability to empathise across species. We lost our old family cat to cancer shortly after one of my lads brought home a kitten. This cat had been our family cat & was a wonderful personality & like most rescues I've known just incredibly grateful. I was grieving his loss deeply & this kitten, whom I was totally ignoring, clambered up my leg, crawled up my chest & laid his head over my heart & began to purr in an attempt to comfort me. From that moment he was my protector, my advocate, my one cat adoration society. He was quite something.

 

[MaryJanet]

The funny thing is, you needn't be particularly observant to see their relationships take shape. I'm mostly oblivious due to workload but the friendships between the hens and the cat's emotions are clear.

I'm trying to say you'd have to be extremely, well now I can't find the right word, recalcitrant, egotistic, arrogant in your humanity, to spend time with animals and think they're somehow lesser.

People sometimes only consider their connection to others to the extent that it flatters their own ego and perpetuates their climb to superiority. A much more satisfying and joyful life is possible when minds and hearts are open.

 

[MaryJanet]

Part of Daisy's story is also Elphie's story. It ends in tragedy as well. I think this adds to my trepidation to explore those memories.

Don't go there mate. We ought not to be curious about Daisy, it's clearly a very personal story that should probably stay inside your mind for the time being.

I haven't revealed the full story of Dora, Alice and Nigella, only the headline in an attempt to provide a little solidarity in loss and sadness.

 

[MaryJanet]

The resistance to anthropomorphism has slowed down scientific investigation of animal behavior for a long long time. It is changing slowly.

That's a very good point. Not to mention animal husbandry.

 

[MaryJanet]

That's a very comfy looking basket. No wonder she looks relaxed!

I need to say something: neither Mary nor Janet can be trusted like Sandy can.

Mary's so wild, I have to use a sturdy cat box for travelling. If I let her out of the box while travelling, she'd have a conniption.

Janet can ride in the basket, but I'm pretty sure she'd go flappy if I opened it up.

Sandy is the quiet hen whose conduct is exemplary.