Harry Potter was our little sick rooster. I couldn't tell what was wrong with him. He couldn't walk. One leg would lay straight backwards and the other forwards. Like the rooster splits. He's just a bantam so he fits in the palm of your hand.I thought it was something broken.
We kept him in the hospital wing of our coop for a whole week. Taking him out on the grass for some sunshine and food and water twice a day. If we left him with the other chickens the other two roosters, stanley and dumptruck, attacked him.
Last night i was on the phone with my farmer friend talking to him about it. "I know i have to kill him, but how do you do that?" Terrified. Obviously.
He offered to come over and either do it or show me how. I felt like a lame-ass, but so relieved.
We took harry potter out on the grass and watched him for awhile. My friend got on the phone with his wife who was a vet. They did many tests chatting back and forth. It wasn't broken legs. Something neurological – perhaps contagious.
When it was time to kill harry i had to go hide in the bushes. All my kids watched as well as his son. They are so much braver. I think they don't comprehend how valuable life is and how easy death comes. I also think that changed a little for them last night.
When i talked to them before bed to make sure they were okay, they all were. Especially toby who said;
"Oh yeah! Because i'm going to be a farmer when i grow up!"
It's hard to beat the manliness of our farmer friend.
RIP harry potter rooster.
Previous post: Previous Post
Next post: this would be #14
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
very sweet. especially the names. stanley and dumptruck. gaaa. and poor little harry potter.
I wouldn’t be able to watch, either. Poor Harry.
Poor Harry! Any animal that dies around me I cry so there’s no way I could have watched.
Sometimes the death of a pet is the first introduction to mortality that kids get. At least…in an ideal world that’s true. Still…it’s a difficult gig. We’re programmed to protect life…especially those beings who are helpless. When it comes time to end the suffering of one of those beings, it still feels wrong. So confusing.
What an amazing and different lifestyle than anything this suburban girl can imagine!
I just read your post about BlogHer. I signed on and then I stopped blogging :) Not really, I still love reading and writing, but I’m having trouble finding the time…
Oh well, I’ll join you for pay-per-view if we chicken out :)
Oh dear. Think of Harry in heaven, having his feathers ruffled by all the hot chicks!
poor, tiny harry potter! i am so sad for you!
I have found it amazing how kids often deal with death better than adults do. I wouldn’t have wanted to watch either, mind you, I might have been peeking through my fingers……sorry ’bout your little rooster, though!
I am not brave at all. i would not be able to handle that. I almost cried reading about Harry. His poor legs and then death. I hope he’s at peace now.