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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / May 2005OT: Honk, RB
Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going until this morning and did not lock them up at dusk last night like I always do. My back garden is very long, 450 feet, over 150 yards and the orchard where the geese are, and where some of the boarded-out chickens lived, is over 300 feet down it. The others have huts and runs at the side of the path, and the ones that are totally safe, paving slab floored runs, steel lined huts, 6 foot high weldmesh, roofed runs are staying here to be looked after 1/24 by Stan. As I was working my way down them with food and water early this morning, I caught sight of Shylock, my gander, through the gate. I thought "how come he is out? and then - OMG, I forgot to shut them up." He was making a noise and he is usually very quiet, so I knew the worst had happened. It had. Lots of brown feathers scattered around but no sign of his "wife," Honk. He kept calling for her. I don't know if you all know how intelligent geese are. Well, they are, take my word for it. That's the reason I can't eat one although I am not a vegetarian. I knew the fox would be unable to carry her whole body over the 5 foot fence, and neither would he be able to eat it all in one go, so I knew she must be somewhere nearby. I searched for her body and found it 50 yards away hidden in a patch of nettles, quite a lot had been eaten. I was anxious not to carry it past Shylock because I think he would have recognised what was left. Geese are capable of grief, apparently. It's illegal in the UK to kill a goose in the sight of another, so I'm told. So I went back up to house to get a sack to put her in so he wouldn't see, and he didn't. She was 21, and I'd had her for 16 years. You can imagine how I feel because it's *my* fault. Shylock went off to Stephen's later this morning, still calling sadly :-( I have ordered a goose for him to come when I am capable of looking after them again. Tweed <------ aka stupid How sad. I've heard that geese, although obnoxious to hoomins @ times, are very smart and mate in pairs like that. Don't beat yourself up over this; you got enough on your mind now. Are foxes running loose all over UK? > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily > relocated had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Tweed <------ aka stupid > How sad. I've heard that geese, although obnoxious to > hoomins @ times, are very smart and mate in pairs like that. Don't > beat yourself up over this; you got enough on > your mind now. Are foxes running loose all over UK? Except for a few small islands, yes they are.  SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. > How sad. I've heard that geese, although obnoxious to > hoomins @ times, are very smart and mate in pairs like that. Don't beat > yourself up over this; you got enough on > your mind now. Are foxes running loose all over UK? Oh ((((((TWEED))))))) I am so so so sorry to hear this. I agree you can't beat yourself up on this. There is just so much going on for you. It probably won't make you feel better to say that, but it is true. (((((HUGS)))) >Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated >had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > >Tweed <------ aka stupid Dear Christina, I am so sorry. Amidst all your other troubles, to lose a dear old animal friend. Purrs are continuing unabated for you here. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com I'm sorry to read of Shylock's and your loss. But in all this, I *am* happy to read you writing things like this: >I have ordered a goose for him to come when I am >capable of looking after them again. I still have this feeling that you'll be back happily looking after all your furry and feathered friends sooner than you think! Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com aw, how sad. But don't blame yourself, you have a lot on your mind. Hopefully Shylock takes to the new 'wife' later. Jazz & his mama SignatureIrulan from the stars we come to the stars we return from now until the end of time > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily > relocated had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Tweed <------ aka stupid > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated > had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going > until this morning and did not lock them up at dusk last night like I always > do. I think it's a wonder you can look after your virds at all, given what you are going through, so you shouldn't blame yourself for Honk's death. I don't know how long geese generally live, but 21 sounds like a good advanced age. I'm sure you gave her a good life. Purrs for Shylock and your broken hearts. SignatureMarina, Frank, Nikki, and Mere marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated > had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going > until this morning and did not lock them up at dusk last night like I always > do. < <snipped for brevity only> > > She was 21, and I'd had her for 16 years. You can imagine how I feel > because it's *my* fault. Shylock went off to Stephen's later this morning, > still calling sadly :-( I have ordered a goose for him to come when I am > capable of looking after them again. > > Tweed <------ aka stupid Okay, enough of that! You are not stupid! You had every reason to have a lapse in memory. After all, I think it's mostly the chickens that make you remember them (rather than Geese which I find to be lovely creatures, honking and all). I'm pretty sure that Shylock will like his new friend, particularly if you do. Smokie Darling (Annie) > It had. Lots of brown feathers scattered around but no sign of his > "wife," Honk. He kept calling for her. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Tweed <------ aka stupid I'm so sorry you lost your friend and Shylock lost his mate! Don't beat yourself up about it; accidents happen. You have a lot on your mind. I know you feel bad, I only wish there was something I could say to make you feel better. Jill >Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated >had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > >Tweed <------ aka stupid {{{{{Tweed}}}}} I am so sorry. Please try not to blame yourself -- you have a lot to deal with right now, and sometimes, things just happen. My heart goes out to you. Purrs for your healing and to forgive yourself, and for Honk's journey to the Bridge. Blessings, Ginger-lyn Home Pages: http://www.spiritrealm.com/summer/ http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy) http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against Animals in Movies Website) <snip> > She was 21, and I'd had her for 16 years. You can imagine how I feel > because it's *my* fault. Shylock went off to Stephen's later this > morning, still calling sadly :-( I have ordered a goose for him to > come when I am capable of looking after them again. > > Tweed I'm so sorry to read this, Tweed. It's been a bloody awful year for so many on this group, not least of all you. Purrs for you and purrs for Shylock, I will light a candle for Honk. Please don't blame yourself, you've done all you could to make sure your animals are cared for. People make mistakes at the best of times and you've got too much to cope with at the moment. {{{{{{{{{{{{{Tweed}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat. I'm so sorry, Christina. Purrs for you and for Shylock, too. Thinking of you -- please try to be kinder to yourself -- you have a lot on your mind -- it was a sad mistake and none of us are perfect. hugs, Christine > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated > had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Tweed <------ aka stupid >She was 21, and I'd had her for 16 years. You can imagine how I feel >because it's *my* fault. Shylock went off to Stephen's later this morning, >still calling sadly :-( I have ordered a goose for him to come when I am >capable of looking after them again. How sad! I didn't know that geese were that smart, or that they lived so long. I live not far from a small lake, and have been puzzled by the wild geese here, who seem indifferent to cars, pets, and people (they seem to think they own a one mile radius around the lake). Birds in general are pretty intelligent. How very sad! It isn't your fault. You just have too much on your mind right now. I wish I could take away the hurt, for you and for Shylock. Joy > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated > had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Tweed <------ aka stupid Tweed wrote: >Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated >had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going >until this morning and did not lock them up at dusk last night like I always >do. --------------------<snip>--------------------- You've got to forgive yourself. It's not as if you did something to them on purpose. Purrs for Honk's passing and for your poor heart. I'm glad to see that you have plans to get another goose when you return home. -- Regards and Purrs, O J Christina, I am so sorry. I'm not a big goose fan (most of what we have here are Canadian geese) but I have to admire animals that are so smart and care so much about others. Don't beat yourself up over this, these things happen in the best of times, and you are under enough strain. BTW There is no way I'll be able to get a card to the hospital while you're there and I do want to send you a card or letter. Can you post an address to send mail, for after you get out of the hospital and are recuperating? A PO box or something? Thanks, Pam S. > Christina, I am so sorry. I'm not a big goose fan (most of what we have > here are Canadian geese) but I have to admire animals that are so smart > and care so much about others. Neither was I a goose fan, until I got some ;-) now I wouldn't like to be without a couple. > Don't beat yourself up over this, these things happen in the best of > times, and you are under enough strain. I think my brain must be full of other stuff crowding my common sense out or something. I *forgot*, I FORGOT something I have been doing every night for 16 years! because I was preoccupied with myself. I suppose I can forgive myself in these circumstances, but she was such a dear old thing, you know. > BTW There is no way I'll be able to get a card to the hospital while > you're there and I do want to send you a card or letter. Can you post an > address to send mail, for after you get out of the hospital and are > recuperating? A PO box or something? Thanks, I shall be staying with my aunt & uncle (poor them, it was only September that they stayed here to care for me after my latest eye operation) and their address is 22 Baldwin Road LEICESTER LE2 6HA UK I will try and post something before I go in tomorrow, but may not have time. I still have last minute things to do like clean out my fridge and throw away anything that's in it. Finish packing. Put my houseplants on the draining board on a towel the other end in a bowl of water, all that sort of stuff. My coz Margi helped me deliver some layers pellets and wheat to Stephen this evening so I visited my chickens that were there. There is still an issue about providing enough water. Two of their drinkers were empty. He likes Shylock so much that he says he may not let me have him back! When I went into where Shylock was, Stephen led the way, Margi followed and I was last. The gander could not see me approach because of bushes. I heard him strike up hissing and making threatening noises to Stephen and Margi. He would never follow it through though. Then he saw me and I spoke to him. Shylock, it's me. He stopped hissing and posturing like he was brave and began to talk to me in the same way he used to talk to Honk if they had been accidentally separated for a while in the garden. It was a sound that I knew meant "oh, thank god, there you are at last." I had to leave him, though and he followed me to the gate. I nearly wept because he is twice bereaved, Honk and me. He is intelligent enough to know what has happened, but not intelligent enough to realise that I will come back and sort it all for him. He lives in the now. His now is awful for him. Tweed Purrs from us to help sustain Honk et al till your return. Christine > > Christina, I am so sorry. I'm not a big goose fan (most of what we have > > here are Canadian geese) but I have to admire animals that are so smart [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] > > Tweed Dear Christina So sorry for your loss of such an old friend. I hope Shylock takes to his new mate in due course. In the meantime assorted positive hoomin, feline & canine supportive thoughts & noises for you to have a successful op. and for a speedy and not-too-uncomfortable recovery. Best wishes Gordon, Bandit, Snowball & Raki > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily > relocated had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese > weren't going until this morning and did not lock them up at dusk last > night like I always do. I'm so very sorry to hear that, but please don't be so hard on yourself, Christina. Lots of gentle hugs and purrs, SignaturePolonca & Soncek > Whether it was because all my chickens that were to be temporarily relocated > had all gone, for some stupid reason I forgot that the geese weren't going [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > It had. Lots of brown feathers scattered around but no sign of his "wife," > Honk. He kept calling for her. <snip< > I'm so very sorry to hear that, but please don't be so hard on yourself, > Christina. > Lots of gentle hugs and purrs, I'm sorry to hear about Honk, Christina. Healing thoughts on their way. Judith SignatureJudith Latham Stourbridge, West Midlands. UK. Dear Tweed, Please don't beat yourself up over this. Granted it's a big loss, both for Shylock and for you, but you've got so much on your mind you're to be forgiven for a small oversight. Purrs on the way for you and for Shylock in your loss. Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe. Not stupid, but distracted. With good reason. {hugs!} Suz&Spicey |
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