i just need to write this out, because if i try to say it out loud to anyone i'll break down and cry. My little Spreckles died this morning. She was my teeny Spangled Old English Game Bantam. i adopted her last year with an odd-ball assortment from a woman who got them as a birthday present around Easter, but couldn't keep them. Her best friend was a big puffy Cochin, and then there is Ludwig, a WCB Polish. She also came with two little silkies. But Spreckles quickly became one of my very favorite little buddies.
She would cock her tiny head and look up at me when i went into the pen. Sometimes i would pull her out and give her special treats, as it was hard for her to compete with the big kids (silkies were big to her). And in the morning i would help the hens who did roost down from their perches. There is Flotsen, who starts pecking me on the head, so she gets helped down first. Ludwig comes second as she screams in my ear - one long annoying note. Last but not least would be Spreckles. When i reached out for her, i would always say "Prettiest last", as she gently stepped onto my hand. Then we would come out of the coop and i would carry her around for a while, until she finally decided to fly off my hand and join the others.
i don't know exactly what happened. She was fine last night. But this morning my husband let them all out, and when i went out i saw her standing hunched and listless inside the coop. i went to pick her up and she seemed off balance. i put her in a carrier and called my vet. i took her in and left her, as the vet was busy and was going to squeeze me in. Got a call about an hour later. My vet said she tried everything she could, but despite her efforts, little Spreckles died in her hands. She wasn't sure why, but said there was an egg inside that seemed large. So perhaps the egg pinched important nerves on the way down. She did a brief necropsy but found nothing much out of the ordinary.
i feel like i have a great big hole in my heart, and it's going to be difficult going out tomorrow to let everyone out and not see her there. i will always treasure the time we had together. i wish it was longer. But i suppose the lesson is to appreciate all the loved ones in my life while i have the opportunity.
That's all. i just needed to write this. Thank you if you have taken the time to read it.
Here is my little angel:
She would cock her tiny head and look up at me when i went into the pen. Sometimes i would pull her out and give her special treats, as it was hard for her to compete with the big kids (silkies were big to her). And in the morning i would help the hens who did roost down from their perches. There is Flotsen, who starts pecking me on the head, so she gets helped down first. Ludwig comes second as she screams in my ear - one long annoying note. Last but not least would be Spreckles. When i reached out for her, i would always say "Prettiest last", as she gently stepped onto my hand. Then we would come out of the coop and i would carry her around for a while, until she finally decided to fly off my hand and join the others.
i don't know exactly what happened. She was fine last night. But this morning my husband let them all out, and when i went out i saw her standing hunched and listless inside the coop. i went to pick her up and she seemed off balance. i put her in a carrier and called my vet. i took her in and left her, as the vet was busy and was going to squeeze me in. Got a call about an hour later. My vet said she tried everything she could, but despite her efforts, little Spreckles died in her hands. She wasn't sure why, but said there was an egg inside that seemed large. So perhaps the egg pinched important nerves on the way down. She did a brief necropsy but found nothing much out of the ordinary.
i feel like i have a great big hole in my heart, and it's going to be difficult going out tomorrow to let everyone out and not see her there. i will always treasure the time we had together. i wish it was longer. But i suppose the lesson is to appreciate all the loved ones in my life while i have the opportunity.
That's all. i just needed to write this. Thank you if you have taken the time to read it.
Here is my little angel:
