I'm still feeling pretty depressed, can't imagine writing witty captions or even choosing Vincent pictures to post. I don't know if I'll feel like visitng all your blogs, but if I do, I don't think I have the heart to comment.
Love you all, and thank you for your condolences. It doesn't take away the horror of what happened to those poor little girls. And it was my fault. I gave the fox the opportunity and she took it. And she is still looking for another chance to finish off what she started.
Dear Val, you did not kill the chickens, a fox did. It is NOT your 'fault' any more than it was the 'fault' of my neighbours that their poor bunny ended up without it's head while peacefully minding it's own business in their garden.
ReplyDeleteYou can't be at fault if you had good intention in your heart to let your hens enjoy some freedom. And, "nature called" for you during which an ACCIDENT occurred...that fox was acting on instinct just as much as you were when you needed to use the bathroom. Just the timing was lousy. I hope in time you will be able to forgive yourself.
ReplyDeletePlease don't blame yourself, Val. Life is about choices. You chose to give these girls a beautiful life with freedom and love. Freedom sometimes comes with a price. But please know that you gave them heaven on earth while they were with you, and I believe you will be blessed for that. You still have Poppy and her new sister, and I am hoping that they will soon become good friends. Animals, as well as people, need time to adjust. Things will get easier with time, but thank you for sharing Rosie's and Daisy's happiness with us. I continue to keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI understand your feelings. When my dog died, i was desperate. But girls are right, it's not your fault. Don't blame you, it was an accident. Nature can be cruel...*Big Hugs*
ReplyDeleteOh Val :(
ReplyDeleteSending a big hug your way. Know I'm thinkin' of ya. I know it's hard not to feel responsible, but not everything is our control.
No one blames you for what happened ,so please don't blame yourself either. And if you feel you need to blame yourself, than do what you would do for others, and forgive yourself. Don't carry that burden , lighten that load, and let us lift you up.
Please don't blame yourself Val. I know, 'easier said than done' and if I were in your position, I'd be blaming myself too. Nature is very cruel. I can't even watch nature shows that depict 'survival of the fittest'.
ReplyDeleteI love you heaps and bunches. ((hugs))
Oh Val, honey. Please don't blame yourself for this. I understand you somehow feel responsible for what happened, but the cold hard truth is that FOX most likely scented the darling hens the minute you got them home. He's been after them for a while, just biding his time for the right opportunity. It's what foxes do. You did nothing wrong, not anything. Take a few days to cry it out, then come back to us. You're loved very much, and we can't have fun with Vincent if you're not with us.
ReplyDeleteI echo everyone else when I say that it wasn't your fault. You were the best thing that happened to those hens, at least they had some peaceful time in their lives! I had a similar thing happen to me with a white hen I rescued, only my culprit was an owl. I was sorry I couldn't save her, too, but at least she didn't spend the last days of her life in a cage so small she could barely stand, and standing in her own filth at that. So, just remember that you gave them the only joy they had and I'm SURE they know it!!!!
ReplyDelete(((((val)))))
ReplyDeletei know exactly how you feel - i've been there (more below) but these things are beyond our control
you're an animal lover and were probably delighted with the ban on hunting, but those country folk knew what they were doing and now us townies are suffering the urbanisation of fox life
there isn't a single night time journey when i don't see them in the car's headlights prowling round the neighbourhood - it's what they do
we had an enormous aviary with over 50 budgies; one day a rat got in and demolished half the birds - we had bred them ourselves and they had tons of room to fly around and play and we loved each of their unique personalities - i was gutted, but when it comes to predator and prey and food chains and ecosystems etc there will always be winners and losers
i'm sure my words will do little to console you, but don't be so hard on yourself - this was a whole new learning curve for you - that's how we all learn
you did a great thing for those gals and you'll do greater things yet
lotsa luv ann x0x0x0x
I think everyone else has already said what I wanted to say, so let me just say this: they're right! But I know you need to grieve, so let the tears flow, but just remember that you gave these wonderful birds a bit of happiness they would not have had otherwise. Love ya, kiddo!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to read about what happened. What everyone said is so true. You are a wonderful person for caring so much about your animals.
ReplyDeleteVal, I need to give my condolences too. I'm sorry for what happened. And very sorry for youfeeling so awful about it. Although I was raised on a farm and around lots of animals, I always had a special cow or lamb and really had a tough time if they were taken from me. But please don't blame yourself. Take care.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has said it much better than I can, but I'm going to say it anyway!
ReplyDeleteYou did your best to give those girls a new, much happier life, and I'm pretty sure you succeeded before nature intervened. You have nothing to blame yourself for..surely a few weeks happiness is better than the short unhappy life they would have had without you and people like you?
Take care of yourself and remember you have nothing to blame yourself for xxxxx
::daily hug:: Hope you're feeling better, Val.
ReplyDelete