The New Flock 2021: Back to Basics

[1muttsfan]

Yay!

 

[speckledhen]

Mary, I was meaning to come back and say that today, Bodie has taken a step backward. He was so much better yesterday, crowing and standing instead of sitting. We know that sometimes, recovery is not linear, but as well, they often rally before they go. This was a remarkable rally, never saw such a difference. Now, I'm not sure. He is not eating today, refused the roast beef I chopped up for him, closes his eyes when I stroke his back, etc. I just don't know.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Aww, poor Bodie. Glad he at least felt better yesterday. Hopefully he hangs in there.

 

[1muttsfan]

IF he has been sick for so long, I would be doubtful about a recovery at this point. If he had a great day, so much the better for him, and it makes us feel a little better too.

I am putting down my 17 + year old Dachshund this afternoon. He is still getting around some, but is so so thin, and spends most of his time sleeping. I think he suffers from long term arthritis, and has not improved with any treatments.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

IF he has been sick for so long, I would be doubtful about a recovery at this point. If he had a great day, so much the better for him, and it makes us feel a little better too.

I am putting down my 17 + year old Dachshund this afternoon. He is still getting around some, but is so so thin, and spends most of his time sleeping. I think he suffers from long term arthritis, and has not improved with any treatments.

I'm so very sorry Mary. My heart goes with you.

 

[speckledhen]

IF he has been sick for so long, I would be doubtful about a recovery at this point. If he had a great day, so much the better for him, and it makes us feel a little better too.

I am putting down my 17 + year old Dachshund this afternoon. He is still getting around some, but is so so thin, and spends most of his time sleeping. I think he suffers from long term arthritis, and has not improved with any treatments.

Aw, Mary, I am so sorry. He's had a very long life and I know he was much loved.
Thanks for the analysis on Bodie. I'm also glad he had one good day. He's such a good boy. No other in that group seems to have the leadership skills he does, but one may step up and surprise me come Spring. God bless you in the new year, and you, too, Lisa. You've both been such a wonderful support for me all these years!

 

[1muttsfan]

My little Max - 17 and 1/2 years of sweetness. Here with his good friend Jet

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My little Max - 17 and 1/2 years of sweetness. Here with his good friend JetView attachment 4018208

He was a sweet old dog Mary. 17 years is a long life for a dog. He was well loved.

 

[speckledhen]

My little Max - 17 and 1/2 years of sweetness. Here with his good friend Jet

How precious he was. You were lucky to have each other. I bet Jet is missing him. It's so hard to let go. Our last dog was pointer yellow lab cross, looked more like her lab side, but with cute freckles on her muzzle and down her chest. She was about to turn 15, had cataracts, incontinence, and was losing weight no matter how much she ate. According to the vet, developing a sort of dementia. She was ready to go, but we sure weren't. Best pound puppy we ever had.

 

[speckledhen]

Believe it or not, Bodie is still with us. Occasionally, he will stand, but his comb is completely deflated and laying on its side. He eats and actually manages to get off his spot to turn his rear around and poop in the front of the cage, not on his "nest". He hates being handled and is still so strong in his wings that it's hard to keep my hands on him when he is going nuts trying to get away. I am at a loss as to what happened, but he obviously is not able to actually stand for more than a short time. It's just status quo with him. He did get some homemade chicken soup with mom when I was eating it for two days (I've had a persistent cough for a month, feels like my ribs are broken, ugh). I have no idea where this is going with Bodie. It almost reminds me of my late BR rooster, Zane, who was crippled at about 18 weeks with tendon damage in one leg and who lived to 4 1/2 years old; I still call him the love of my life, that boy. He was so cute when hens brought their own chicks to play around him, like big Uncle Zane. I never want to care for a crippled bird that long again, but he was really young. Bodie isn't anymore.

Meanwhile, both Cricket, the original buff hen, and Wren, out of the youngest group and a splash, are broody. None of my splashes have ever gone broody and they're going on 4 years old. Wren is her own little goofball, but neither are getting eggs. I'm anticipating my new Barred Rock flock next month so no more bantams for me, much as I do like the bantam Cochins. My favorite personalities in that group are the two buff hens, Cricket and her daughter, Dove, sweetest hens on earth, those two!