My fluffy baby has gone D:

[Ashling]

I have had a miserable day. I went outside this morning ready to be driven to school, when I realized my rooster, and his favorite daughter weren't anywhere to be seen. My mum, Karen, said she hadn't seen him this morning either, so we searched for him. We looked all over the front yard, in the neighbours yards, and in the back yard. Near the letterbox I found 5 grey under feathers. I looked in their hutch and found clumps of grey feathers littering the floor. I checked in the brooder, and the hen was sitting on her 11 or so eggs, safe.

I knew there were foxes around here, but they had never before dared to enter our little property. We have 4 big smelly male dogs who were all entire males (until a week ago, when we got our puppies fixed). The chickens used to even sleep in the front yard without a hutch to stay in, on hot nights. Nothing ever happened. The hutch door was always left open so that they could go in and out whenever they wanted. I think there's no denying it was a fox. My previous empathy for them is long gone. Oh the thought of my precious Medlock being torn to pieces brings me to tears again. I went into my first class today and burst into uncontrollable sobs, and have been teary the rest of the day.

I raised Medlock from a little fluffy baby. He was a silkie bantam so he never really lost his fluff, so he was always my fluffy baby. People would laugh when I held him upside down like a baby in my arms, and his big scaley feet would stick up. We used to go for walks in the park together, I'd have him in a harness and lead, and he'd walk with me. I'd draw a circle in the pine needles and we'd sit in the middle under the pine trees together, and I'd look deep into his pitch black eyes and feel a connection. There was always something special about him. I called him my familiar- I'm not a witch, but that's the closest thing to describing our relationship. He was such a cute little boy- I'd swing him gently on the swings in the play ground and he'd fall asleep. He'd come when called, eat out of my hand and crow in my arms. He especially loved christmas times when he would come in and sit on the back of my chair and be fed an assortment of scrumptious foods. I used to be able to tug gently on his wattles and make it look as if he were talking. He'd lie on his back in my lap and let me scritch his head as we watched tv. I could even put him down on his back, and he would stay there. He was a such a gentleman too- when he found something yummy to eat, he would pick it up and drop it, making a funny noise to call his girls over, and he would give it to them and have none himself. He was the best rooster ever to me, and I miss him so so much. It doesn't look, or feel right without him here.
I raised his little daughter, Cocklebur, from an egg. She lived in my bedroom from when she was a day old until she and the others were big enough to move outside. She would follow me around too, and eat out of my hand.

I guess I learnt to never take a cunning predator for granted, and at night to lock up the three pullets and one cockeral that are left of eleven chickens. Please everyone learn from my stupid mistake. I feel like such an idiot, I used to worry about this, but I threw caution to the wind as usual. I'm hoping that the clutch that Belladonna is sitting on will hatch a little black baby Medlock and I can convince myself that he has reincarnated into a new rooster. That would cheer me up a bit, and I could teach him how to be like his daddy.

My chickens are my babies and I don't know what I'm going to do without Medlock, my favorite of all. He had a great life for a rooster, and I hope that he is at peace wherever he is, eating all his favorite foods and having as many chickens to look after as he wants and crowing louder than ever before.
I love you Medlock.

[papaya]

I am so sorry for your loss. Chickens are great!

[cashmerekiddy]

That's really sad - I'm so sorry that happened to the poor liitle fellow. Foxes are so smart and he'll keep coming back looking for more, so you must ensure the others are safe.
I understand what you mean by the connection - I have had similiar from my animals and it's something not everyone would understand. I have a dairy goat, Angie who is a beautiful friend and also my gcc Cisco whom I share a bond with.
Sorry Melanie - you are a special and loving person (that I can say from reading your posts here). You have given Medlock a wonderful life and no doubt he is already hatched again. I hope you two may again cross paths.

[Pwca]

I'm so sorry. Those silkies are something special even among birds, and they just seem to have the worst luck with predators.

Cait

[catschair]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is amazing when you meet a soul mate and it sounds like you and Medlock had an amazing bond in this world. Don't beat yourself up. Be free, Medlock and look down on your human-- she misses you!

[greencinacheeks]

i'm so sorry! :(

sounds like you two were the closest of friends.

~Nate

[bethn]

melanie, i am so sorry for your loss, you will be in my thoughts.

[MicahEspudo]

... :(

[Buteo]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

Unfortunately, the saying "clever as a fox" is very true.

[BigBird]

So sad, sorry to hear the news.