We had horrible winds and dust today and I looked out and I noticed Gertie kinda huddled down trying to stay out of the wind. Then she got up and huddled down on the side of the coop, and I just figured she was staying low so the wind was not getting her. So when I went out a bit later, I just let her be cause I knew if I messed with her she would get up and then have to find that spot again.
Now I am second guessing myself. When I went out there later, the wind was still blowing, not as bad, but she was still laying there so I picked her up and she let me, (in fact when I went to pick her up Fiji pecked my hand, like she was telling me to leave Gertie alone) and she looked at me and she was panting a bit. So I took her out of the pen and told Jeff I thought something was wrong with her, and he said get her water. So I laid her down, and then when I came back out, and picked her up she died in my arms. I just don't know what happened. I hope it is nothing I did. I should have picked her up earlier and maybe she would have been ok?
I know she is just a chicken, (and there are much more sadder and worse things going on in the world) but she was well loved, and I am sad. Jeff thinks I am being silly, he said it happens they will all die, but he was nice enough to dig a hole so we could bury her, and he checked her twice to make sure she was dead, cause I was afraid that she was just unconsious and would wake up under the ground, but he said no, she was dead.
Such a pretty girl. I am glad she got to be in the new big pen. I am glad she did not die alone on the ground.
Here's her calendar page, it's October.
Have a nice Sunday, thanks for stopping in, even if is just about the girls.
Di, I am so sorry for your loss. Gertie was not just a chicken, she was someone that you loved, no matter the species! Take comfort in the knowledge that she had a good life and knew that you loved her. xx
So sorry to hear this, a death of a much loved pet is always very hard. Hugs
Oh Di I am so sorry to hear about Gerti, I feel how sad you are it is hard to lose a pet or even a chicken you love. Never second guess yourself sweetie you will drive yourself crazy. Love you and Gerti will be fine remember not even a sparrow falls without GOD knowing it.
So sorry for your loss. I follow your posts and appreciate all you share. Hugs!
Gertie wasn't just a chicken, she was one of the girls. I was so sorry to read that she died. Thanks for introducing us to her…we felt the love thru you…so I'm sure Gertie felt the love as well. Tootles
So sorry to hear about Gertie:( I know you will miss her.
I am so sorry, Diana. It is so hard to loose a pet and Gertie was a special pet.
Sent you an email. She was a beauty!
So sad, Diana. She had quite a life with you, though. You must be the world's best caretaker. XO
I'm sorry for your loss. Gertie wasn't just a chicken, she was another being that you loved and cared for. I love reading about your girls and want you to know, I'm sad, too.
Oh Diana I am sooooo sorry for your loss. I know you have a lot of love in you and she was like family. I will keep you and her in my prayers today! Go stamp something you will feel better!!!
Well, if Jeff thinks YOU are being silly…just think about this…a complete stranger who regularly reads your blog has TEARS in her eyes…all for a chicken she never met! Be well Gertie!
Oh Di, so sorry you have lost one of your girls. I so enjoyed your stories about Gertie and the rest. So strange how it happened. Hope the others will be ok.
So sorry for your loss Di. It might just be a chicken but I have found you get attached to these critters and miss them alot when they are gone.
Diana, I am so sorry for your loss! I am glad that you were there with her in her last few moments on earth. I'm sure she's in chicken heaven now!
I am so sorry to hear about Gertie! I am thinking it could have been a respiratory thing from inhaling a lot of dust? I know she was just a chicken, but at least you were with her at the end.
So sorry to hear about poor little Gertie 🙁 Don't second guess yourself too much, or it will make you crazy….. All the best….
Awe, I feel awful for you. Chicken or no chicken, she was a friend.
Sorry to hear about Gertie. Yep she was a chicken but they become members of the family. At least all the livestock we owned were. I'm almost too excited to wait for my dsp share.
Sorry about Gertie. Critters are very special. I don't think you are silly at all.
Awww, how old was she (did I miss that)? Are there chicken vets? And I'm so glad you were with her. {hugs}
Diana–I am so sorry to hear about Gertie. I was in tears reading about her this morning. I love animals and most people who do understand what you are feeling they become our friends and family. Whether they have fur, feathers or scales we love them. I love how you share them with us and we are feeling your loss today! I am so glad that she was able to be in your arms and feel your love as she passed away she knew you loved her and she took that with her to Heaven. God Bless you. Dianna Reich
It doesn't matter if she was a chicken, a dog or a real person, because you loved her and you don't have her with you anymore; it IS sad! You have to mourn her loss just as you would the loss of anyone or anything. Sorry she could not have been with you longer. I don't even know the life span of a chicken but I thought it was more than a year or two.
I am so sorry for your loss, I have been reading your blog daily for a long time and I know the LOVE you have for your feathery friends. After all a pet is a pet, right?!!!!
Save me a swap, I'll see you at convention
Your sister in ink
Jo Bengtsen
Di, so very sorry about Gertie…pets are special and she brought you much joy and EGGS! Of course, you are sad, don't feel guilty about that…you loved her and she was yours..wish you peace in knowing that you were with her at the end.
I'm so sorry about your Gertie girl.
Diana,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful Gertie. I was so sad reading your post. You are such a sweet lady and your love shows in everything you do. I know Gertie felt your love.
Take care
Cara
Diana, nothing is EVER "just a…" if it's important to you! I'm sorry for your loss.
Oh No!!! That's so sad. Wonder what happened? My hubby wants chickens, but I would get attached and couldn't handle a death. LOL Hope you aren't sad too long!
I was so sad to see your headline about Gertie. She was more than just a chicken and I can appreciate why you are so sad. I'm glad she had you holding her when she died. I love ready about the girls. So sorry!
Alison
Di – I'm sorry to hear that Gertie passed. Of course you are sad. You loved her and cared for her. My condolences.
Oh Di,
As I type this through tears, I want you to know how I'm so sorry for your loss. And believe me she wasn't "just" a chicken! Gertie had her own personality, feelings and brought happiness to your life. All living creatures are special in their own way. I have loved seeing your posts on your family of chickens, Jeff's handy work on the new cages and the calendar pages.
I hope you won't second guess yourself but instead each time think of something fun or sweet about your Gertie. You were with her at the end and that's what matters most!
Again, I'm so sorry for you loss. Please take care,
Shirley
Sorry for your loss – I have enjoyed your chicken stories.
I'm so sorry your friend passed away and it's not silly to be sad. And she was a very pretty friend too….
I am so sorry, Di, to hear about Gertie. I got such a kick out of reading about her antics. I know she was special to you. And I know why you feel guilty–we all do to some extent when we lose a pet. But I am sure that there was nothing more you could have done for her than you did. She did get to go peacefully with you, so hang onto that thought.
Great big hugs,
Penny
I'm sorry to hear about Gertie and it hurts when a part of our family dies, feathery or otherwise. I'm glad she got to be part of your family because she had a loved and comfortable life! I don't think there was anything you could have done to prevent it, sometimes it just happens due to no cause of our own.
I know how you feel…our pets are our friends. She had a good life with you. Isn't it nice that Fiji tried to protect her so they were friends in the end. We all love our pets.
Di ,I too am saddened by Gertie's passing. She has been apart of my life also. I have enjoyed keeping up with her and the girls since I found your blog.
Oh Diana…..I am so sorry to hear about Gertie! She wasn't even mine and it makes me sad. You give each one of them a personality we can attach ourselves to so it is sad for us too! Don't second guess yourself…. So glad you were there for her at the end.
Di, I talked to my son this afternoon. He is a vet, and when I told him what happened, he said chickens can have respiratory problems and that is probably what happened to Gertie. At least she died peacefully in your arms.
So sad to read that one of your chickens died. I think it's nice that she died in your arms & not alone. You're not silly for being sad…heck, they aren't even MY chickens and I'm sad for you. Sweet Gertie has gone home to roost.
Oh Di – So sorry to read about the loss of Gertie. Please don't second guess yourself. She wasn't just a chicken. She was your chicken and a member of your family. She was loved and she knew it. You were there for her in the end when she needed you. She didn't die alone.
I am so sorry!! We get so attached to our family animals!!!
rENEE
Diana, I am so sorry for your loss. Hope your heart begins healing soon.
Diana,
So sorry to hear about Gertie. Feel better knowing she was with you when she passed.
Angela
Sorry about Gertie Di. Just read the post today…
Di: I was busy all day yesterday preping for Camp and didn't get on-line and when I read your blog this morning I saw your VERY SAD NEWS about Gertie. My heart is breaking for you. I know you LOVE all your girls and will miss Gertie very much. Please take comfort in knowing that you provided Gertie with a fabulous home and I can only image she is running around Birdie Heaven telling all the girls about her fabulous home in Queens Creek. Please also know that you are not being silly for being sad – You have experienced a loss and need time to heal. Sending you Hugs from SaddleBrooke. Kadie
Oh Di- so SORRY!!!
My heart goes out to you as I know you will really miss Gertie. I'm so sorry, Di.
Hope you are feeling a little better today. It's always so sad to lose a furry or feathery family member. 🙂