Sigh... we came home from Ottawa yesterday to find that Squishy the duck had keeled over dead in the duck run.
Squishy got his named after Gordon accidentally stepped on him when he was just a little duckling. It was a complete accident and Gordon felt awful. He walked into my office with Squishy in a box and asked me to help. At first Gordon thought Squishy was dead. He couldn't walk properly but was feebly attempting to propel himself around the box. I wasn't particularly hopeful for his recovery, but after a couple of days, he was doing fine: walking, eating, and being an adorable duckling!
Squishy grew...
...and grew...
...and grew! He always had a slightly tipsy gate, and rolled a bit to the side whenever he lay down but otherwise, he seemed fully recovered.
He tried to get it on with the ladies, but it always seemed to be a bit of an issue for him. Usually he'd fall off his conquest before reaching any sort of, er, culmination. In this pic, he's the guy in the back on the right, having a little rest. He often did that. I think his structure was a little damaged after his childhood mishap, and he needed a little lie-down every so often.
Sometime this spring he lost his tail feathers. I'm not sure what happened; another duck might have pulled them out, but apart from one little spat between Squishy and Warren, I hadn't noticed the ducks picking on him.
The past couple of days he seemed a little quiet; not particularly ill, but not himself. He was eating and drinking and doing his usual things and we were only just starting to wonder if something was wrong. Then yesterday we came home to find him dead. It looked like he just keeled over near a water dish outside.
Gordon's taking it a little hard; Squishy was his favourite, and we were both pretty impressed that he survived being stepped on! I hope Squishy's up in duck heaven, swimming on a nice big pond and eating bugs and Swiss chard (his favourite treat) on a silver platter every night!
Life goes on. I think Ronna-duck will be hatching out her babies any day now. I will keep you posted!
:( :( Sad to hear about Squishy...
ReplyDeleteThanks Mil! He was a survivor!
DeleteI never thought I'd be teary over a duck...Squishy, fly free, lil' guy.
ReplyDeletePoor Gordon was especially upset about it He buried him in the "graveyard" we've got going down behind the barn.
DeleteI did give Squishy some extra attention the day before. Maybe we both sensed something was up...
Sorry, Natalie. It doesn't matter what it is, you get attached.
ReplyDeleteI am getting more used to this. Things always seem to be happening on a farm!! :( But I will miss Squishy. He was a friendly, mellow guy.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear that. Rest in peace, little Squishy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ahab!
Deletevery sorry for loss of your cutie pie squishy. I'm sure he is up there having fun now. I know it is hard losing them. hugs((((( ♥ )))))
ReplyDeleteThanks Pasha! We get pretty attached to all the little critters around here.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about Squishy. They work themselves into our hearts and it hurts when they leave. You gave him a wonderful life.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine! He was cute and friendly and will be missed.
DeleteI'm very sorry you've lost Squishy. He was a very handsome duck. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you Isobelle! I know you and your Mom understand. :)
DeleteAw, poor little Squishy, RIP.
ReplyDeleteThanks LBM!
DeletePoor little Squishy, he wa quite a looker wasn't he?
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hee hee, yes he was, even with the missing tail feathers!
DeleteSo sorry about Squishy, he was such a handsome boy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra. He took after his Dad, MacGregor. :)
DeleteI usually just lurk, but today I had to say something... I'm so sorry about Squishy, may he RIP.
ReplyDeleteLove all the way from Brazil!
Ivy, so nice of you to comment! I would love to visit Brazil. THank you for the kind words. :)
DeleteWow, Natalie. I already read about his passing on your FB page but I wasn't teary-eyed until now. What a sweet, sad story. Poor little guy, and what a good-looking duck, too!
ReplyDeleteTHE SAD AND CERTAIN downside of animal keeping!
DeleteI spend too much time crying over poultry, but that said, it's getting a bit easier. I am coming to accept that farm animals drop dead and get eaten, and while you do your best to prevent it, it still happens and is part of having them around. I enjoy them while they're here! :) Sad and certain indeed/
DeleteAnd GP, he was a handsome boy, if somewhat, er, inefficient with the ladies!
Ahhh! I'm so sorry. I must say Squishy had a better life than most ducks. RIP Squishy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cog Dis!
DeleteMy ESP told me to check in on you today, so I knew something was up. So sorry, Natalie. It's always hard to lose one of our feathered or furry friends so suddenly, isn't it? Hugs to you and Gordon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, TTPT. Hugs appreciated!!
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