Speckledhen's Ivy-stuffed with grapes and smiling!

[EweSheep]

Quote:
AMEN!

I agree with you Writer.....GIVE ME THAT GRAPE!!!!!!!

 

[speckledhen]

She's had her grapes already today. She was waiting at the gate, looking longingly up toward the house so I went back inside and grabbed a few for her. Brightening her day is the least I could do for this sweet hen.

 

[EweSheep]

She must have really loved her grapes!

 

[speckledhen]

The humidity is down quite a bit and the temps are a tad more comfortable so I'm letting her stay with her sister, Lexie. If things become worse for her out there, she'll be back in the house with us. She really seems quite content inside, too. Some are nervous and try to jump out of the playpen, but not Ivy.

 

[Cetawin]

That girl knows they are in the refrigerator too and she can tell if you are bending down to that drawer and open it for the grapes. She watches you from the playpen and gets excited before you get back to her with it. So so sweet.

 

[kathyinmo]

I agree, their personalities are unique and special, that is for sure! I wish everyone could know the joy of having a flock. In some cases, I would think they could be cheaper than a prescription and just as healing!

 

[Cetawin]

Oh goodness Kathy you are so right. You cannot be around them without smiling. Mine are all unique and love to be around you. When I am having a bad day or am sad, they are always there to perk me up.

 

[Serrin]

Quote:
I can absolutely vouch for the validity of that sentiment! ABSOLUTELY!!!

I know the healing powers of my own little mutts first hand. There have been days that they are the only reason that I haul this decrepit old carcass of mine out of the bed and face the day. On average, I spend an hour and a half with my flock first thing in the morning. (not including the all day contact I have with them as they free range) Feeding, cleaning, and just generally getting them set up for the day takes time. And it takes considerably longer when I have to stop every five minutes to give cuddles and love to one little soul or another who seeks me out.

But these are interruptions that I welcome with open arms and a glad heart. How can I possibly ignore the pleading little face of Ingrid when she has deliberately put herself right in the way of my cleaning? There are times that she simply will NOT be denied a few minutes of hugs and being held. Or when Brutus or Chief, those two amazing boys of mine, insist on having their waddles and eyebrows caressed, how can I resist?

The truth is, I can't! These are the moments that make my heart positively SOAR with joy! And when the most aloof of my girls comes to me, wanting to have attention paid to her alone, my heart swells to near bursting with love and delight. Delight in the knowledge that it's ME that they want to be with. Privileged: that's the main feeling I have with regards to any interaction I have with my birds. They don't much care for strangers. They're leery of my own DH for that matter. It's like they accept me as one of the flock, and all other humans are to be regarded with reserve and trepidation!

I often think of what my life was like before chickens. And I can honestly say, in hindsite, it was empty! I try so hard to explain the filling of my soul by the simple addition of chickens, to people who have never had any personal contact with these amazing creatures, and I find that my command of the English language completely fails me!

How do I bring understanding to people who have no reference point of their own to equate this too? It's almost like trying to describe an elephant to a blind person. It's so big, that even by experiencing one aspect or another of the creature, it still doesn't give them the full picture.

I regale friends and family all of the time with stories of what Brutus or Chief did that day to made me giggle. Or stories about how quirky the personality of Ginger Wonky Toes is. Or how sweet, calm and friendly little Esther is. And I know by the looks on their faces, or the tone of their voice over the phone lines, that I've failed miserably. You just cannot explain the inexplicable to those who refuse to understand or relate. As someone once said: There are none so blind as those who will not see!

But, I keep trying! Why? Because I know how high these marvelous little beings have lifted my own heart. I know they're more effective on my attitude and sense of well being than any prescription for Zoloft could ever dream of achieving. (and yes, I speak from experience here!

) The scientific community has done studies on the positive health benefits that cats and dogs bring to our lives. Imagine what they would discover if they did similar studies involving chickens. **Insert sly, knowing grin here**

 

[Cattitude]

My brother was one of those people who had no idea that critters had the ability to bring out the best feelings in you and make you feel better. At least till he met Sonny. Over the course of time he realized that Sonny was a distinct soul, a blazing personality, a quick-witted spirit. I hope more people come to realize that earthly creatures bless us with more than the benefits they provide to Mother Earth.

 

[joletabey]

amen to Serrin and Cattitude!