We all know, if you own a pet, that this day will come. After all, it is natural. We had to put our Skeeter down. She had been having problems lately. She would pee all over the house, she had a cough because of her heart which was bad, and she had quit eating for the last week. We all knew it was going to be soon. Well this morning, when I got up, I found other "signs" that she wasn't doing good. Then when she tried to come into the kitchen, her back leg wasn't working. I knew the time had come. It's hard to make the decision, but I knew it had to be done. It was the best thing for her.
Please don't leave comments like," Awww I'm so sorry." I know you are! I just don't want to think of being sorry. She was 15 years old. She lived a good dogs life chasing rabbits and guarding chicks. She was a stubborn little "rat". (That was her nickname.) I just want to think of us doing the right thing for her. She had it good.
As I went out to feed the animals this morning I noticed that one of the doe rabbits was making a nest by pulling hair. We will be having new rabbit kits soon. It's the circle of life. (Cue the Elton John song.) Anyway, I'm hoping that this doe makes a good mommy. She's making a really nice nest! She's pulling plenty of hair. In fact, I thought that something may have killed one of the rabbits there was so much hair. But it was just her getting ready for her new bundles of joy. Here's to hoping they make it.
The other doe that I bred at the same time hasn't started pulling hair. Actually, I've had to clean out her nesting box twice now. She keeps pooping in it. I'm not sure about her. If she doesn't have any this time, I'll breed her one more time and see. I would like to keep her because she is a broken pattern New Zealand. I think those are pretty. It's just something different from the plain white ones.
Last night Hubby and I met with some friends who gave us some chickens. Well, you can call them chickens. They gave us some Silkies. I'm not wild about this type of bird. They are small and their eggs are tiny. Their not much use for us here on the homestead. I heard though, that Silkies make great mothers and if you wanted eggs hatched put them under a Silkie. Well, right now, I have so many chickens I don't think I want any more anytime soon. In fact, I have to butcher a few. I'll probably sell the Silkies. And if I can't, I'll put them in a pot and make chicken broth out of them. I'm not going to keep feeding them this winter.
Well, I have plenty to get busy on.....
So until next time,
Small Farm Girl, farmer
8 comments:
It's great when you can provide such a wonderful (and fun!) home for an animal. You did the right thing, and you know it :) Hoping Skeeter is already on her next journey!
As for the silkies? I heard the same thing about them being great brooders so I bought a few of them. Only problem with the brooding thing is, I wanted her to brood full sized eggs...and you can only really get three eggs under their tiny little bodies. Not worth it for us. Cute? Yes? But sometimes it takes more than cuteness to pay the feed bills.
Good luck on the impending bunny births!
It's good to hear from you again, Sherri. I think we all have had a pet or two that has left great memories in their passing. It sounds like Skeeter was one of those.
Good luck on your bunnies and chicken broth. I look forward to seeing how they turn out.
Fern
How's your leg? Are you better? :)
Yes! It's doing a lot better. Thank you for asking!
Good, that's good to hear!
I can't stand it, LOL. It's always sad to lose a pet even though they're time is near. There. I do so agree with your attitude though. Good for you.
Interesting about the Silkies. Never a breed I was interested in. Glad to hear I've not missed anything. :)
Completely identify with your thoughts and feelings in regards to your dog. We are in a similar position, and are dealing with it the same as you. As for silkies! Prefer a bog standard farmyard hen / rooster any day. We also were given some silkies last summer, and they were quickly dispatched, but not eaten, as they were so tiny.
And wishing you and yours the very best for 2015.
I wouldn't have a farm without at least one silkie. My Sophie may only be able to sit on a limited number of eggs but she will do it more often and stick to it tighter than any other breed I have had and she is a ferocious mom. Even with the four ducks that she hatched for me. Although I am no longer blogging you can see them here
http://welcometothehenhouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/duck-and-remodel-update.html
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