I had my boys for just over a year and a half 2 ducks (like the one on friends), Charlie and Wilson, they were part of the family allowed in the house sometimes to play in the bath, they would be in the back garden watching through the back door when you came home jumping up at the glass! you couldnt sunbath or walk one side to the other in the garden without them nipping at your feet they had a toe fetish! they were so cheeky you could see the smiles on their faces, when you sat down they would let you stroke them and rub their fronts up your arms almost climing over you then running off doing a little circle and come back for more, we would fill up their paddling pool and they would hop on the inflated sides and wrestle each other charlie would grab wilsons head by the feathers and hold his head under the water!.... he didnt seem to mind, he always went back for more, they would chase you if you ran away and be chased when you went after them, I could pick them up and cuddle them and kiss their soft necks, they were always ,always happy and would always seek your attention and were very nosey! they slept in the shed and would go in before dark when you told them it was time for bed, apart from the odd nite when their eyes would light up n id have to catch the liitle devils, I bought them a huge run I could walk into with a little house attached as I was worried about not getting home before dark in the winter and didnt want them left out, Sunday nite a fox managed to pull the huge 4 foot by 3 foot heavy roof back and slide through a gap smaller than the length of my hand, it killed one boy and took the other!! I cant bear it to know my gorgeous happy little boys were killed so cruely, they were soooo trusting and so sweet I just cant believe it, I have just cried and cried its not only that I miss them I cannot stop thinking about their last moments and I just wish I could have saved them! its so hard because to everone else they are just ducks! but to me they were part of my family, when I go outside theres no little quacking to greet me and two enthusiastic faces waiting for attention. Im so glad ive found this site because although I havent lost a dog or a cat im hoping someone will at least understand the shock and upset from loosing pets in such an awful way!

Swweepee,

I'm so sorry about your beautiful boys. Everyone on this site will understand the shock and trauma you are experiencing over their deaths. A pet , regardless of species, is a source of unconditional love, and innocent fun.
It is so hard to stop reliving those last minutes. I wish I could give you a magic formula for that. Only time will quiet those.
Meanwhile, cyber-hugs from me.

Thoughts and prayers,
Macks Mom,
Dayna

Swweepee

Oh your boys were so handsome! I'm so sorry you lost them. We understand the shock and upset from losing friends in any way. The shock is hard, it makes it so hard to think. You took care of your guys so well, and they were so happy. You did all you could, stuff just happens.

We lost our Moose kitty in a terrible way very suddenly almost 3 months ago. Whenever you lose someone close to you, your reality changes. It's so hard to get over the shock and start to learn to live in your new reality. When you start thinking about how they died, give yourself some time, but then, gently, try to think about the good times.

I had a duck for a friend a long time ago. They can be such good friends, so cute. He came to me as an Easter present. His name was Peepers. I lived in an apartment, and he got so big! I had to find a home for him on a farm. He loved feet too! I always wondered if he bonded with feet as a teeney tiny, he was so small when I got him. Your post just made many memories of him flood back to me.

Thinking of you and Charlie and Wilson
Lori

swweepee,

You poor dear! And your poor, darlings, Charlie and Wilson! I'm so very sorry they and you have suffered such trauma and tragedy. Loss through illness or age is one thing, but when horrid things such as this result in the loss of our wonderful companions.....it's just as heartbreaking, but can be doubly hard to deal with.

Of course they weren't "just ducks"! They were beautiful souls who happened to have feathered bodies, and anyone who thinks those of the feathered persuasion (whether wild or domesticated) are any less valuable, loving and sentient isn't worth talking to. As C.S. Lewis said, "You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body." Same for anybody (notice I don't say anything) with a body, no matter the species.

Charlie and Wilson sound like such precious characters...and very sweet and beautiful, too! I wish I'd known them myself. I can only imagine (not that I'd really want to, it's so horrible) the torment you're going through now. So don't you dare be embarrassed or ashamed about sharing the grief you're naturally feeling over the loss of your 2 babies! In my mind, you're a bigger, better person than most to have extended your love to duck-boys...and that great love went along with them, no matter how they passed. You will stay as bonded, in that love, with them as anybody is to any other beloved, and someday you will all be reunited in spirit again. Really.

Sending you hugs, too,
F's Mom

I'm so sorry for your loss. They were such cute lil guys in your avatar! I know that there are no words to take away your pain. Just know that you are among friends here, friend that understand, and grieve with you.

Feel free to share any more pictures or stories about your little guys when you feel up to it.

Sweetheart,I am so sorry that this has happened to you.What an awful thing to go thur.I wish I had some words to help you feel better and take away your pain.It's so hard to know what to say when things like this happen.You ask yourself,why,why,why?? There are no answers.....take comfort in knowing that they both had a wonderful life and they were loved.Try not to focus on their horrible deaths but instead remember them when they were with you.Your not alone in your pain,we all know what that feels like and it is a terrible thing.You are going to need time to get thur this so be gentle to yourself and come here whenever you need a friend.This site isn't just for folks with dogs and cats,it's for anyone who has an animal that they love like a family member.Your boys were family and they will be greatly missed.Please tell us more about them when you feel up to it.We would love to hear more stories about them as well.My heart goes out to you and I will include you in my prayers tonight.Again,I am so terribly sorry for your losses.Sincerely,Renee (Sox's mom)

Swweepee,
I am so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. What a traumatic what to loose your two beautiful boys.

JUST DUCKS?!?! I think not! It doesn't matter if they weren't a dog or a cat. You loved them! They were your friends and playmates. They were feathery little bundles of joy to you and were taken from you in an especially terrible way. Any animal lover who'd ever enjoyed their antics you decribed would hopefully understand this.

My dog Copper had to be put down on New Year's Eve because he had cancer. But he's not the only animal I've loved and lost. I can't necessarily use the term "furbaby" because there have been birds and even a very special fish that I've mourned too. That's right - a fish! I got Punto when she was a 1/2" baby along with her sister Punta (I just decided they were girls - you can't really tell.) I had them for 5 years and they grew into beautiful 10" red belly piranhas before tragity struck about 2 years ago. Overnight, the power had gone out and the tank didn't restart correctly. Both fish were on their sides, clinging to life. I managed to save Punta, but not Punto. I cried for 3 days and blamed myself for not checking the tank. No one understood why I was so upset over "just a fish", even though I'd nurtured her from a tiny little baby into the magnifcent creature she grew up to be. Punta is still with me today, as gorgeous as ever.

JUST DUCKS?!?! You played and cuddled with them a lot more than I did Punto! Knowing what kind of mourning I went through over "just a fish" or "just a hamster" or "just a canary" or "just a c0ckatiel", I certain understand where you're coming from.

Ignore those ignorant people. If you need a "in-person" shoulder to cry on, try going to the local bird store. They'll get it. Regardless, we're here for you no matter what!

Love,
V

V., what woderful words of wisdom you have offered this grieving mother.Your right,it doesn't matter what kind of animal it is,be it fish,or rat, or duck,or whatever.They make their way into our hearts and when they are gone we grief for them and miss them.You are such a kind and caring person and I want to thank you for offering this mother such sound words of comfort.We are lucky to have you in this forum.Sincerely,Renee

Thank you for the great compliment Renee! That made me feel very loved. Copper would be proud of me.
Yes, I will reinforce my words of advice -- do not cuddle your pirahna! That's what you were talking about, right?

Swweepee,
I hope we hear from you soon. We do really care and hope you're doing okay.

Love,
V

Dear Swweepee,

I am so terribly sorry this happened to you and your little boys. I did not read your post right away, my heart was just afraid to see it, I feel so tenderly toward birds of all kinds...I'm sorry for that, because I do know there is healing power in a swift response to someone's pain. But I do know how sweet and trusting little ducks are, like you say, and it was a while before I could read your story, knowing something awful had happened to them.

I do understand how much Charlie and Wilson meant to you and all that they added to your life. How you loved them, making them a good sturdy running pen so that they could enjoy the outdoors! And how much they gave you...all that affection and love and fun. You have lost so much, and I know how hard it is not to think of what happened. But it certainly sounds like you built that enclosure to be strong, and you could not have known anything could get into it. I am so, so sorry. I had pigeons when I was younger, and their house was a wooden "shed" that my dad had built for us girls to play house in. Every morning I would let them outside and they would spend the day in the fenced yard. Then at night I would put them all to bed in the house. Oh, they were so beautiful, with their different colored feathers and big eyes, and how good they were to each other, how sweet and friendly they were to me. They weren't "just pigeons" and neither were your boys "just ducks"! They were precious souls!

You are in my thoughts and prayers, I understand how much it hurts, and what a terrible loss this is for you. We are all here to listen and try to comfort you in this sad time. Please, let us know how you are doing...you are among friends.