The Part I'm Not Good At

Last night, we had a dog attack.  Two unknown large black Lab mix guys came onto our property and went after the chickens.  One of my Wellie hens was killed.  Both Perni and Peter were injured.  The Guinea hen, Violet, was badly injured.  I think they must have tried to defend the others.  Perni is missing half his tail.  Peter is missing 3/4 of his tail and a bunch of his back feathers.  The Guinea is missing tons of feathers from his/her back, and has a giant gash in her side.  I don't have much hope, but for now, he/she is living comfortably in a cage in the living room.  He's/She's still acting paranoid, so I take that as a good sign.  Guineas are the most high-strung animal I've ever come across.

I was upset.  The neighbor from across the way came over and was banging on the door to let me know what was happening, because I didn't hear it from in the house.  When I got outside, I saw the dead Wellie and piles and piles of feathers.  The chickens were scattered, and I didn't know how many were dead.  I want to be the farmer who says "Damn, that's unfortunate", and knows that they can be tended to and replaced.  Instead, I am the farmer who remembers that just that morning that Wellie hen was talking to me through the sliding door, and I just wanted to cry.  This is the part I am not good at.

I tended to the injured last night-Pete and Perni look like they'll be ok, the Guinea--we'll see.  This morning, everyone was shy and quiet, and I don't blame them.  After this incident, I've decided to buy a gun.  I've tossed it around a lot, but I've not done it.  It's time.  I do not want to kill anyone, so I will not buy a rifle with bullets, but a bb gun or a pellet gun instead.  I need to be able to defend the animals, and as much as I'd like to be peaceful and think happy thoughts, the truth is nature is not always kind, and these things happen too often.  I will learn to defend those who can't defend themselves.

Oh happy day.