Sienna Flies Onward

Photo copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved.

The puppies have been banished, evicted, exiled.  The puppies are back, never fear.

We had to be out bright and early this morning for Wings's appointment (which has set us back nearly $400 cash on the barrelhead); my own is deferred yet again, because the imaging has had to be rescheduled. We may wind up skipping one round and going straight to the higher-end one (which will, of course, be exponentially more expensive, so it will likely get deferred for quite a while yet, because it has to be paid in advance).

At any rate, just before we left, Wings said that one of the chickens had escaped. He thought it was one of the reds, who are older and old hands (or feet, as the case may be) at avoiding danger; they have as many lives as your average feral cat. The younger ones are just coming up on a year old, and they still act brand new at some of this stuff. They're all also impossible to catch when they don't want to be caught. Anyway, she did not want to be caught, and being short on time and thinking it was a red, we assumed she'd be okay. We returned to find that the dogs had gotten Sienna.

She's one of the Americaunas in the photo — I believe the one to the right of the water dispenser, but she could be the one across from her, or the one solidly in the food tray; I can't tell which of those three from this photo. These girls and their slightly lighter-colored sisters are the so-called "Easter-eggers," the ones who lay turquoise eggs. They also look remarkably like a cross between a pheasant and an owl and a hawk, and they're full of personality (chickenality?).

And one of their number is now gone. I won't put the details into your mind; suffice to say that it was bad. Wings is furious, and has sent the pups all back to whatever place is "home." [No, I don't know whether that will change. For now, don't send any more puppy food.] I'm just heartbroken, and I know that I failed her by not stopping to chase her down and put her back in the coop. She was a beautiful little russet girl, all earthy clay-like colors (hence the name), feathers touched with copper and gray and pheasant-like bands, curved hawkish beak and fluffy little owlet cheeks. She's been buried in the usual way where several of her predecessors are; Opal's probably waiting for her, and Ember too. For now, Sienna flies onward.

We love you, little Sienna girl.



All content, including photos and text, are copyright Aji, 2018; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owner.