Rooster Cogburn


Yesterday's post has reminded me to post an old post of one of my favourite old field friends, a magnificent blind rooster called Cogburn.
He came to me through a friend who learned that another friend had found a mistreated Rooster who had been blinded by a group of nasty kids who were caught stone throwing at a riding stables
The Rooster came to me thin and depressed and for two years I helped him to blossom in his own run with a couple of silly toy hens for company
This is an six year old post that illustrates his simple life
Sometimes it's important to take time over something. Some tasks need care and patience. Some things should not be rushed. 
Every morning, I let the blind cockerel, Cogburn out of the controlled environment of his run, for some exercise. I can only do this when the other cockerels and the geese are safely out of the way, for as big as he is, he remains the most vulnerable animal on the field.
I have a 101 things to do most mornings. Today was no different. I needed to fill the water butts on the field border, the eggs in the incubator in the kitchen needed candling, potatoes needed to be planted in bosoms, which is now full of weeds after the overnight rain and I needed to start the strimming of the mountains of nettles which are now screening the pig pen, but something in Cogburn's behaviour made me pause for a moment in order to watch him.
In the breeze and the early morning sunshine, Cogburn seemed to blossom. He moved his big feet on the grass, like a city dweller does when on the beach for the first time , and he turned his head to face the warmth of the sun, blinking his unseeing eyes slowly and carefully in obvious enjoyment.
It may sound odd to say it, but it was incredibly moving to see the big fella so alive and so vital.
Despite the list of jobs, irritatingly fixed inside my head.
I sat down beside the blind old cockerel to let him enjoy the morning sun without being rushed....it lightened my heart "
Ps Rooster Cogburn stayed 2 years on the field. He was labour intensive , but was a delightful character and he died in his sleep whilst resting in his saferun ... with his face in the sun 

67 comments:

  1. I find it difficult to believe John that this place where you live now is not HOME to you. Is it not truly where you want to be.. ? May you write so eloquently in your new home. Hugs! deb

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    1. I'm revisiting old memories that's all...

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  2. Such wonderful stories such a wonderful life.

    cheers, parsnip

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  3. I remember Rooster Cogburn, the story of the warren hens, and those hysterical runner ducks. Have I been around that long??

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    1. Kim you have .... the hysterical runner ducks drove me mad

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  4. Beautiful. Touching. I am glad you have the gift of writing the way you do - it enriches my day each time I visit.

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  5. What a charming story! I hope he is happy in the Rainbow Bridge.

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  6. I enjoyed that story. Call me odd but roosters really are stunning creatures. What a nice way to go.

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  7. You're gay and kind to chickens, I think I'm in love... lol. He looked great there, a Cochin I think. I bought an old hen blind in one eye once, nobody wanted her but I knew with a little kindness she wasn't ready to give up just yet.

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    1. There was Rhode Island in him too! And he was huge

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  8. Bless you, John. You speak volumes about how to be as a human. Thank you.

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  9. Your writing is so beautiful, John, especially when it is about your very loved animals.

    I remember when you had those two pigs and another time that you thought about getting a goat. You have given us all such wonderful stories that make us laugh and sometimes brings us to tears. I wish that you could stay in Trelawnyd, but you are off to new adventures. I hope you find joy and many new stories to tell in your new home.

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    1. The pigs no 12 and 21 went into the freezer! Not so sweet a story

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  10. A country friend of ours returned to the city last year and gave us a HUGE rooster named Big Daddy. He was born with a mangled foot and lost his eye in a bad fight. But he was as sweet as a bird could be. he only lasted another year with us but he was a class act and our GK's were better off knowing him, caring for him, hugging him.

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    1. In my experience the smaller the cockerel the more damage they do

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  11. I'm glad Rooster Cogburn was blessed with such a happy and safe home with you. I love a happy ending!

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  12. You are a wonderful person for doing such a kindness to a creature who just needed love. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and moving story. It makes me feel hopeful and happy that Cogburn was able to find a good home and lived his life peacefully and happily. And I am sure he is in heaven, waiting for you to join him in enjoying paradise.

    You're a good egg, John. Thank you for this heartwarming and inspiring story.

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  13. I enjoyed your story about Cogburn but I also noticed your lists of jobs to do. So many things and all relating to a small farm. In the time I have read you, your long lists seem to be more village centred

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    1. Yes and when we move on there will be new jobs and new ventures

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  14. A fitting end to such a personable rooster and one I wouldn't mind for myself. I know as age comes on, the physicality of farm life can be too much, but won't you miss the personal aspects of village life? City living can be too impersonal.

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  15. Debi.5:42 am

    Anyone who loves and cares for animals like you do,is fine by me.Most of the time,I prefer animals to people!And I hope that the people who were cruel to him rot and they remember,every day of their pathetic little lives,what they did to a poor defenceless animal.xx

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    1. I hope the children who threw the stones grew up to be good people and saw what they did was wrong and were ashamed of themselves.

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    2. I never got to the reality of the story only heard the tale second hand

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  16. What awful kids! Cogburn was a beautiful rooster. I'm glad you kept him safe from the other animals so he wasn't ” bullied”.
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. Kids do nasty things..I hope they finally realised that fact

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  17. John - glad his last couple of years were happy. It reminded me of a programme last evening on BBC2 about the destruction of the rain forest in Borneo and the persecution of the Orang utans. I found it so interesting but so painful to watch that I had to switch it off half way through because it was too distressing for me to bear. Humans can be so cruel to animals. Alright they were only kids with Cogburn but they should have been brought up to know better.

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  18. Thank you John. Your patience paid off. I'm crying now before I set off to Lidl! Good job I haven't put my mascara on yet.

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  19. You're a good egg John! I can feel you have kind bones. Keep on being kind as there's a shortage of kindness in the human race.

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  20. "Cogburn - The Legend"...now strutting about in cock heaven.

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  21. Poor old bird. I had to restrain myself from saying something vulgar about the last five words of Yorkshire Pudding's comment.

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  22. Hero....angel. Please write a book of stories.

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  23. There should be a book deal in your future

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  24. What a wonderful, moving post. God bless you for taking the time to look after him and let him live his days out in peace and safety. Nearly brought me to tears.

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    1. Darn ....the objective was full sobs

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  25. You had me in tears again John. The first time I cuddled a chicken was when we were helping at Sues's place that was about seven years ago . such lovely birds Love Joan XX

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  26. "Sometimes it's important to take time over something. Some tasks need care and patience. Some things should not be rushed." These words hit home this morning. I really needed them. Thank you.

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  27. Anonymous11:01 am

    I always end up with tears in my eyes when I read your sad or even happy posts with animals.

    Joan (Devon)

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  28. Lump in throat....how sweet. Where do children learn to be so cruel?

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  29. Lovely story. There've been no animals in our lives for years. Once our sweet Rottie, Abigail, died and the kids went off to college it just seemed impossible for just the two of us. I think we've missed out.

    I just recently started reading your blog, so from the comments it seems you're leaving village life soon? I wish you well and now I'll try reading older posts to get the whole story! xox

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    1. The move is on the cards but we don't know just when

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  30. You sound like my grandad. Whenever he was looking for me he'd say 'where's the big fella'. Funny, I've never thought of that for decades.

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  31. how lovely as you get ready to leave the village, that you have the blog as a store of these memories. I trust they will mean as least as much to you as they have to us faithful readers.

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  32. That's a great story.

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    1. He was a lovely character. He used to walk out of his sleeping quarters at chest height safe in the thought that I would catch him

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  33. Anonymous7:43 pm

    On visiting your blog this morning, felt a little tearful, not least at the "sunshine" bit. So thanks for that. Crying, untying that knot in one's throat, being the soul's equivalent of emptying your bladder. Oh, the relief.

    I do agree with those of your readers who have touched on what appears to be your saying "good bye" to the life you have had for the last few years. It makes moving reading. Not least for those of us who have been following your daily travails for a long time.

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    1. It's a nice visit for me...it's nice to remember the good stuff

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  34. Sometimes you have to just sit back and enjoy the little things. You must of been so delighted when you saw him looking towards the sunshine. It will be a moment you will never forget. It makes you feel good inside. Thank you for sharing this great story. Have a great day.
    World of Animals

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    1. Thank you for the reply. Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great weekend.

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  35. It makes me happy that you gave this fellow two years of health, peace and love.

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  36. So good to re-read Rooster Cogburn. Thank you.

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  37. Anonymous11:31 pm

    So beautiful. Wiping the tears away. Thank you kind man for giving joy to Rooster Cogburn. LN

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  38. How lovely of you to give him a good and safe life. I got a bit weepy over this sweet story. I have a soft spot for roosters and I do like Cogburn's fluffy trousers.

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  39. You seem to have a knack for picking just the right name for your pack.

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  40. Face to the sun . . .
    How lovely . . .
    Sure do love to “read” you . . .
    Hope your move won’t close that door . . .

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  41. John, would you cut it out with these absolutely gut-wrenching stories! You are such a very kind and gentle soul.

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  42. John your observations are put into words so beautifully. This tale of Rooster Cogburn was sad yet also inspiring and was the result of the love and care that you gave him.

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  43. You gave him a good life and he died happy :-)

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