October 22nd

And then, 

just like that...

There were 4.

Last evening around dusk,

when the hens gather inside to sleep,

the CEO went outside to lock the coop.

As is our usual, he counted heads.

He wasn't able to find Hazel.

We searched the backyard till it got too dark,

then we searched more with flashlights.

We never found our pretty girl.

Her sisters milled around inside the roost,

huddling together.

They knew.

She wasn't there.

She was gone.

When Sandy and Henny died,

the CEO found feathers everywhere.

The racoon that killed them

mutilated them.

Not this time.

No, feathers, not a sign of Hazel anywhere.

So, our conclusion is that

some prey bird took her and swooped her away.

This morning when I opened the coop,

they all remained inside.

They usually jockey for position to

see who will get out first.

Not today.

When they finally came out, they

stayed close together.

All four were making a keening sound,

almost sounded like they were crying,

or calling out to Hazel....

Lucy got on top of the coop,

to look around.

They are more than just egg producers to us.

They are our pets.

We pamper them,

hold them,

they eat out of our hands,

they come when called

and jump into our laps.

So, it's hard for this loss.

Again.

We've lost Henny, Sandy and Leia our

beloved Golden Retriever.

So, now we grieve this loss too.

Our Hazel.

She would lay the blue eggs.

And she had the most beautiful

golden and black feathers.

And she was the most cuddly of the girls.

Baby Hazel in 2016.

Hazel following me as I walked 

around the yard last year.

2019 is without a doubt,

the year for grieving

our deceased pets.

But,

At least we can say with confidence,

that our animal companions

have had the best life we 

could possibly have given them.

Our animal friends teach us

more than we could have expected 

and 

love us more than we could have hoped.....

that's why we miss them more

than we could have imagined.

So,

thanks for the memories

Hazel,

Sandy,

Henny

and most especially,

Leia

I didn't have the heart to

take any pictures of the

plants for this post.

Remember,

never take anyone or anything

for granted,

life is way too short.