I didn’t intend to write another sad story about how we lost another one of our chickens recently. After all, we have almost 40 birds, and sharing each loss will probably wear on me in time. But this story has a little extra something to it, something hopeful in the midst of sadness, that I wanted to share.
I don’t want to go into the details of her illness, but one of our Golden Comet chickens, Mama G, became sick. At first, she just seemed a bit under the weather, but when she took a turn for the worse, we put her in a cage and kept her inside our entryway in the house, for the cold evenings anyway. During the day we put the cage outside in the sunshine, so she could get fresh air but still be safe from the other birds possibly picking on her.
She didn’t eat or drink much the first day, but after that she started eating and drinking more. After just a couple days she seemed to be getting stronger; she was moving around the cage more, was alert when I went outside with treats for all of them, and she was excited about getting those sunflower seeds.
That evening after the other birds had just gone in the coop for the evening, we decided to let her out and see how she moved around. She ran all the way across the yard to the coop as if she wanted to go to bed with the other birds! We decided we’d keep her in the house for one more night just to be sure.
The next morning when I went into the entryway to leave for my run, she was sleeping. I talked to her, but she didn’t stir or open her eyes. That concerned me a bit; but even worse, when I got back from my run she was collapsed in the corner of the cage. We took her outside to see if she could walk around at all, but she just laid down and didn’t move.
Hubby took her back into the house while I headed out to take Luke for his walk. I had a bad feeling about Mama G, even though it made no sense since she had been doing so much better. As our walk took us by our pet memorial garden where our girls are buried, I said my usual “Good morning, girls”. But then I stopped and added: “Girls, if you could, would you help Mama G to the Bridge if it’s her time to go? I’m not sure what we’ll do otherwise.” Our only other chicken losses had been to predators and we had not yet been faced with the prospect of euthanasia and how that would happen.
Luke and I continued on and finished our loop walk and went back to the house. We had gone in the other door, so I hadn’t gone to check on Mama G yet, when the Dadz let me know she had passed. He was right with her when it happened, and she just collapsed and died peacefully.
I believe she had a little help with that quiet trip to the Rainbow Bridge. Thank you, our Angel girls, for helping us out when we needed it so much. It’s so good to know you are really there. ♥
Thank you to our friends at Brian’s Home for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop. Please visit them and other blogs through the links below!
So sorry to hear about Mama G but this post was very sweet!! I am sure everyone was waiting for her at the bridge to show her around.
xoxo,
Matt, Matilda & Bell Fur Zoo Mama
Thank you all! ♥♥♥
Awe sorry for your loss. Thanks for taking care of her, sorry she had to pass.
Thank you, JoAnn! I was really worried she might have something contagious, but so far everyone else is fine, so hopefully not.
I’m so sorry that you lost Mama G but I agree that it was her time and the Angel Girls helped.
Thank you. It’s so good to know our Angels are there when we need them! ♥
Aww…the Angels were listening, they always do💗So sorry, Jan. Soft Pawkisses for the occassion🐾😽💞
Fly free beautiful Soul💗💗💗
Thank you so much!! ♥♥
So sorry for this recent loss. It’s always sad losing any animal. Clearly your girls saw fit to welcome Mama G with open paws. Blessings to all.
Thank you.
Poor Mama G. I can’t even imagine how you must feel. It sounds like you did everything you could for her. I don’t have any empirical data on this – but it seemed like a few days before Kitty crossed, she got super active. She jumped and ran like she hadn’t in months. I was so hopeful! It’s confusing and disappointing to have to give up hope when things looked so promising.
It really is. Well, I guess it’s just a good thing to know they were a little happier at the end. ♥
So sorry about Mama G, hugs to you and Tom, but grateful for the help she had from those wonderful Angels…
Thank you, Lynn! xo
I am glad that the girls helped mama G across the bridge peacefully. She was so loved by you until the very end. I’m sorry that you had to say good bye to her.
I guess when you have as many birds as we do, there are going to be lots of goodbyes. I sure hope it gets easier!
Each soul is precious, and you of course know and see that. I’m sorry about Mama G, but her life ended peacefully and knowing that she was cared for as she crossed with her angels to the other side.
All any of us creatures want is someone to be there with us at the end. ♥
I’m so sorry for the loss of Mama G, purrs and prayers for all who loved her. Hus
Thank you!
So sad. I’m so sorry about Momma G. They are all God’s creatures and we become attached to them so quickly.
Have a blessed day. Big healing hug to you and lots of scritches to Luke. ♥
Thank you. ♥
I am so sorry about Mama G. No matter how many pets you have, it hurts. They are all unique. XO
They really are, even when they don’t stand out in the crowd. ♥
We’re sorry to hear about Mama G, but we know your Bridge angels welcomed her. Purrs….
It’s so wonderful to know our angels are there. ♥
Sorry you lost yet another friend.
Glad your angels were present and helped her fly over the bridge to be with them.
Thank you! ♥
So sad about Mama G; but I know you feel better knowing your angel girls helped her cross the Rainbow Bridge. Yes, they are always there for us in our times of need. Sending love and hugs to all of you. ❤️❤️🤗🤗
Thank you, Sue. It was just such a comfort to know they heard me, and could help. ♥
Sad about Mama G’s passing, but I am happy it was a peaceful one.
Thank you. We are glad we could at least keep her warm and safe for her last few days.
So sorry about Mama G, but glad you had help from the Rainbow Bridge.
Thank you, K. ♥
We’re very sad to hear about Mama G. but we are glad the Bridge Angels were there to help her go peacefully. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.
We are glad to finally get to join in again!
We are so sorry to hear about Mama G. Thinking of you all♥
Thank you so much, Molly. ♥
So sorry about Mama G.
Thank you, Susan.
I’m sure you will have to deal with a lot of loss with so many chickens. What is their lifespan? I guess we have never really thought about that. At least you did what you could for her and her passing was much better than being taken by a wild animal.
That is very true. I think their lifespan can be 5 -10 years or so? But they will lay less and less eggs as they get older. Many people don’t keep them because of that, but we of course will keep ours!