The simple life: Talking to myself

Tuesday, 09 November 2004

The Bitter and the Sweet:

I woke to the sun shining and sat in my bed with my coffee for some thoughtful time. Gazing out the window, I felt happy at the beautiful surroundings, my growing ranch, as my neighbor and Frank call it. Is 16 acres a ranch? Amid the relaxed medley of thoughts I told myself to get up and let the chickens out of the chicken house. As I starred through the window I thought, " Why Frank must have opened the door, it's all ready open."

I took my shower and got dressed and meandered out to feed Cheriki and Sage. Cheriki nickered and Sage called. Busy feeding I didn't notice but something seemed not right. The chickens weren't in their house and I saw none running here and there. Then I saw some wet white cotton looking stuff and walked over to find soggy white feathers. There were wet dog tracks and more feathers closer to the entrance driveway. There were paw prints on both sides of the fence where it was clear the dog had jumped the fence. Big prints.

I spent the morning tracking, searching to see if any of my chickens were hiding in the desert. Mid morning one sad little rooster straggled home. No sign of Carlos, my peacock, and none of his feathers. I drove around the neighborhood, looking.

Finally I just got in my pickup and went to town. I was too depressed and sad. I went to thrift stores.

I have now, Luchia, the peahen, Lenny, the genuea fowl, and one sad little rooster who lost his friends and family. Lenny and Luchia roost on top of the garage, their salvation. Who killed my pretty chickens. A dog or me? In the pouring rain I had forgotten to go out and lock the chicken house door. I'm angry at people who let their dogs run but I'm angry at myself. I loved the sight of my chickens running and scratching. I loved their personalities and colors. I loved gathering the eggs.

I suppose if it was a coyote I would feel it to be a natural thing but dogs don't kill to eat, they kill for pleasure and there are laws here that dogs must be within 100 ' of their owners and under their control. I take my dog out in the evenings and let her run free in our evening walks but she is with me, circling me and not loosing sight of me. I suppose people get dogs for watch dogs or yard decorations but dogs running out killing other peoples pets is disregard and selfish.

My daughter saw the dog. She told me this evening that there was a dog in the yard when she dropped my grandson off to catch the schoolbus. It ran away when it saw them but she got the discription.

There is a pall hanging over my little farm. Something I love is gone. A sadness, an insecurity.