A Very Sad Day

If nothing else,

farm life teaches us 

that there is a deep and abiding truth to this:

To everything there is a season.

There is a time to plant and a time to harvest.

There is a time for birth and a time for death.

You cannot have one without the other, 

for it is the essence of this precious thing that we call life.

Chuck on left.  Tom on right.

We said our farewells to handsome Chuck,

half of our Bourbon Red Turkey boys,

last evening.

Early in the morning it seemed that Chuck was having a little trouble walking.

We assumed that he had a sore foot as he had had in the past.

And so the boys stayed in their yard for the day to minimize walking.

Tom spent most of the day in and out of the house...

Chuck remained indoors all day.

By evening, though, Chuck was unable to stand and would fall over when attempting it.

He thrashed about trying to keep his balance with his wings,

exhausting himself.

Watching him... so pale, frail, and unable to move...

we decided that it was best to call Dr. Becky to euthanize him.

And so old Tom is now our only surviving turkey.

I am sure he will miss Chuck's company,

as the two have been constant companions ever since hatching....

and they have followed me around every day since they were 2 days old.

I am not sure how Tom will get along without Chuck.

I am hoping he will continue his daily routine of running up to the chicken yard

 to hang out with the hens.

Time will tell.

Tom on left, Chuck on right.

Animals are realists when it comes to death.

They accept it... matter of factly.

Still...I think animals experience profound loneliness just as we do.

I'll be keeping a close eye on Tom...

with the possibility of having to find him a companion.

Goodbye Chuck... we'll miss you!