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| Tatton Hall |
I will blog about all this tomorrow.
I will concentrate today's blog on my own personal experience of Finagle's Law... which can be translated thus:-
"If you own and care for animals.....something ALWAYS goes awry when you have a day away!"
Last night Chris texted me that Boris could not be located at shutting up time. He searched the field, no feathers, no typical chirping, there was no sign of the old turkey. In Manchester there was absolutely nothing I could do, so I let fate take it's toll until I got home this afternoon and I could check for myself.
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| Grace and Boris ( Brother and sister) when they arrived years ago |
I rang the RFWF and asked if he could come to help. Dispatching chickens is one job I can do myself, although it is one final kindness that I hate carrying out.... dispatching Boris who has been with me since he was a poult, was absolutely another kettle of fish. Culling him would have to be done my someone who no only knew just how to humanely kill a big powerful bird but by someone who had no emotional investment in a bird who had shared bagels with me on cold winter days .
The RFWF was very kind.
He showed me just how to "do the deed" from start to finish and minutes after he arrived, Boris was lying still in the long grass with the light Sussex bantams gazing carefully at the blood which splashed his neck and the long grass.
Finagle's Law for animal keepers eh?.......it never fails
I know I have 72 healthy animals but this feels bloody shite!
Poor Boris. Sounds like he had a lovely life with you.
ReplyDeleteOh John, poor old Boris. You needed that break but what a pig to come home and find him in that state the next morning. There was nothing, you or Chris could do about it - like you say - that's life. All the animals and birds too, in your care have the best lives ever.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about this. Raising animals is hard work and I have often found that the end of their life is never a pretty situation for the human involved. May Boris rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry John, I know how you (and Chris) must be feeling. But you did the right thing.
ReplyDeleteFinagle's Law in action. RIP Boris, and good that you had the RFWF (bless him) to call on for help.
ReplyDeleteOhhh So sorry for Boris. Bless you again for thinking gently.
ReplyDeleteRuth
Another part of life that "sucks"; good thing there is much other around needing us to keep it all good, as well as us sane.
ReplyDeleteDrat, I am so sorry. It would seem that you are always saying goodbye to something, but I know it's not for lack of care, but rather due to the fact that most of your critters are rescues that would have certainly left this world long ago without your intervention. Bless you for ending his suffering.
ReplyDeletekelly
ReplyDeleteI dont feel too bad about Boris... he was an old turkey... who had collapsed several times during some strenuous turkey sex
The old boy had a good life thanks to you. God bless Boris
ReplyDeleteBless him, he's probably gooseing away to his heart's content now.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Ah, that Boris! He was a character!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry John. X x x
ReplyDeletePoor Boris....I'm sorry you lost your turkey friend John. He had a wonderful life with you. I guess he hid away because he didn't want to cause you any trouble.
ReplyDeleteOh, the critters! It's always something and yes, of course it happens when you go away...
ReplyDeleteOf the wide variety and type of animals who have bit the dust in various and sundry ways since I began following your blog, I am the most brokenhearted about Boris. Please do one more post with a bunch of Boris pictures as a final tribute to your old bagel buddy.
ReplyDeleteleslie
ReplyDeleteI do feel a bit at a loss with the sudden exit of so many of my charges
I hate all this!
My dear sweet man...I have your heart in my hands...thank you for being so generous...
ReplyDeleteLife in the country is hard! Sorry about Boris, John. Maisie is going to be u pset when I have to tell her. He is the first one she asks about when Wales is mentioned. Take care. Mx
ReplyDeleteFarewell Boris! It was nice to know you - if only through The Earl's bloggability. You were one of the best known turkeys in the land and you will be missed - especially at Christmastime.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, John. I think this happens to all of us one time or another. Hate that it was Boris...
ReplyDeleteGoodbye sweet Boris, you led a gentle life amongst your companions on the field...
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed ...
Why does it never get any easier losing our animals ?
Hugs John,
~Jo
Oh, guys, I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteJohn, you gotta know you have my greatest admiration. You are a friend to the least of these.
I still won't let myself thing about Mabel. I adored her from afar.
So sorry John. Old fart or not, Boris was an important character in your variously-legged cast. I'm glad the RFWF was kind to you both.
ReplyDeleteAh. Yes, you go away, poof, instant chaos. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteCat
RIP Boris. Prior to 'dispatch', we used to give our hens, ducks, etc, bread soaked in wine or spirits. This would ensure a less frantic end.
ReplyDeleteOh no. I didn't know him being so new to your blog but he sounded like a fine chap indeed. I say sorry to it when I accidentally squish a spider trying to remove it from the house and I swerve for moths when driving at dusk!!! I'm that bad! I cried like a baby when I had to have my cat hardy put to sleep last year (I still have laurel) so I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteThat is the darn downside to having animals - you get so attached whatever they are!
Aw, I'm sorry to hear about Boris.
ReplyDeleteHannah
I have said this before John - it is the price we pay for keeping animals. We have to content ourselves with knowing that while they were with us they were happy - and (unlike the poor man with locked in syndrome (who thankfully has finally died))that when their time comes they will be put to sleep in the kindest way. Ah that we could be like that with humans. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou gave him a great life whilst he was here - and that's what counts. xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteHow horrible. It always seems worse when we are away & our animals get sick & horrible for the person looking after them.
ReplyDeleteOn a brighter note, a few years when I arrived home from a week away the news was good...our little lost cat Frankie was home after twelve days missing xx
I am so sorry. I know that even when it is the best thing, indeed the only thing, it still hurts like hell.
ReplyDeleteI've had problems with my blog this week, and have missed your news--I'm catching up and am sorry that not all of your news is good. I'm sorry about Boris, but am like you and am thankful that there is someone like the RFWF who kind, and there when you need him.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, John. I am so sorry to hear about Boris.
ReplyDeleteYou know he lived a long, loving life with you though.
*hugs* ♥
So sorry to hear about Boris, sounds like he a pretty nice life though.
ReplyDeleteOh no, not Boris! I'm sorry you've lost the old fellow. I'll miss him. I'm still trying to get used to chickens and ducks dropping dead from time to time. I'm not good with it! Have a hug.
ReplyDeleteOh crap, John. So sorry about Boris. These beasts have won our hearts and then in short time, break them. Condolences to you,friend.
ReplyDeleteI've just found this post. I can't believe that I'm crying over Boris ...
ReplyDeleteMy sister went away for a break and I looked after her children while Handy Andy was here. I didn't look after her animals, but she came back to a dog that had tried to escape over a 6 foot fence ripping open one leg and tearing a claw off.
Sorry to hear about Boris--glad you were able to find him and that the RFWF was so kind to help you.
ReplyDeletex
I am sorry John, I have been missing a lot from blog land lately I just found out about Boris. ((((Hugs)))
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