Saturday, December 6, 2014

RIP PUDDLES

We heard some sad news at the farm today from 2nd Family.  

They have two pet ducks, not counting the group that sort of adopted them.  Well, "J" let us know that Puddles, the sweet white duck in the picture below, died suddenly a few days ago.

Puddles the Duck
She said Puddles was perfectly fine one day, and gone the next.  No signs of injury, no broken limbs, no wounds.  Just happy and seemingly healthy one day and then when they went to feed her, she was gone. They are very sad around their homestead and so is their remaining duck, Ginkgo, who was best friends with Puddles.  They are thinking of getting another so that Ginkgo isn't alone.  

They had Puddles for about 2 years, she was their first ever duck.  She was already grown so there's no way to know how old she was, though she always seemed young and playful.  I remember we went down there recently and were all leaning up against the fence watching the ducks and we realized that we had just let 20 minutes go by without talking, just watching the ducks do their thing.  It was a great moment, I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon.  

Goodbye Puddles...you will be missed.  



20 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe the others will stay around to take her place.

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  2. Oh, that's so sad. Pets become such a special part of our lives. Puddles had a wonderful life with 2nd Family.

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    1. they do don't they? Be them dogs, cats, or ducks....thanks!

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  3. Death is always horrible but it is part of life and a big part of living on a farm. Doesn't make it any easier to handle though.

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    1. Yep, definitely part of the big circle, especially on a farm. Thanks!

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  4. Very sad. Animals just creep into our hearts.
    Love to 2nd family.

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  5. Sorry to hear about the sad news.
    The most common health problems with ducks are ingestion of toxic or dangerous objects, unsanitary water and injuries. Here is a list of common problems and what to do.

    Nutritional problems:
    If your ducks are displaying health problems but no obvious sign of injury or disease then it may be their diet that is causing problems. Firstly check that they aren\'t eating any poisonous plants. Secondly, you can try changing to a different feed. Thirdly, check their gullet - as ducks scoop up food from the ground they are at risk of picking up unpalatable things like nails which can get stuck in their gullet. This can result in gradual weight loss, lethargy and eventually death.

    Sounds like a case of SDDS (Sudden Duck Death Syndrome).

    A shot in the dark, do they have black flies in there area? Any way the black fly can carry a disease that is fatal for ducks. If you have black flies they bite ever worse than the mosquito.

    If an egg layer, sometimes the egg will fracture and bind.. and that will kill them as well..... and you won't feel an egg above the vent.

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    1. Wow, that's some great info, thank you very much for that. I will pass this along to them. They are kept in a large pen area so I don't think it could be a plant but like you said, stuff getting stuck from picking up on the ground. And black flies, hmm, interesting. Thank you so much for the info!

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  6. Aw, just swinging by to add my bit - RIP cute Puddles. Sad.

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    1. Thank you! I will pass along everyone's comments.

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  7. Poor Puddles.....it sounds like she went peacefully though and that her last couple of years were spent in duck nirvana.

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    1. That is very true. They really cared for that duck and she had a great life, as duck lives go I suppose. Kiddie pool to play in, fresh food and treats daily, a nice coop to hang out in. :-)

      Thanks!

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  8. The animals can just break your heart for sure! They bring so much joy and love. But when gone, whew boy they leave a BIG hole. :O(

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  9. 1st Man,

    I'm so sorry to hear about Puddles. I would get another to hang around with Ginkgo.
    Check out Puddles thoroughly, we had wildlife go after one of ours and didn't know it until investigating the duck thoroughly. This was a while back.

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    1. They checked her out pretty well and couldn't see anything but of course, doing it while traumatized by her sudden death probably didn't give them clear heads. I think they are going to get a new one soon. Will keep everyone posted. Thanks...

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  10. Sorry to hear about Puddles. Pets are part of the family. M

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    1. Aren't they though? They just work their way into our hearts....fur or feathers....

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