Many of you may recall when I first introduced Baby (below). If not, click here to discover how she became part of the family and the following story.
BABY
Not so long after Baby became a permanent fixture at the front door, Vicious appeared. Dear Vicious .. "who" has become Daddy's Girl .. my luvva luvva bundle of schizophrenic passion and energy. She was obviously more wild than Baby when she first wandered into the yard. God only knows how long she lived the feral life so common to many felines on Kauai. I don't believe I will ever be able to explain why I was attracted to her, or to Baby for that matter .. I've been a "dog person" my entire life. However, there was something special about this little black & white beauty, so I pursued her and wooed her .. out of the bushes and into our lives. Her transition was cautionary, to say the least. I don't know if life in the bush had instilled a paranoia & survival instinct, or if she had suffered at the hands of a human ... but I soon learned to approach with extreme caution. After six years of enjoying her company, it is clear Vicious has given me a great gift. From my newfound friend I've learned to hold my energy back .. to listen .. to practice understanding what is needed by the other side of an exchange, then giving to that need. She will have it no other way. As a matter of fact, Vicious gained her name while "teaching" me. She is a hard taskmaster, with claws of steel and a bite like a bear trap. The "Learn or get shredded School of Vicious" was, in the beginning, a sometimes painful process. Time happened .. I learned, she learned, and today we have a bond I enjoy beyond words. Vicious, my luvva luvva ...
VICIOUS BITCH .. MY LUVVA LUVVA
Kauai has wild chickens as well as feral cats. Zillions of chickens and roosters and baby chicks ... everywhere. It's an amazing sight .. no matter where you go on Kauai, there are "Tribes" of chickens. If you become aware of it, you will actually notice on different parts of the island there are differently colored chickens. I suppose our island is in reality a "Chicken World", with different tribes of different colors and different pecking orders etc. etc. etc. Kauai is known for it's chickens .. you can buy Kauai chicken T-shirts in nearly any shop on the island. It is a wonderfully whimsical facet of our island paradise. You can actually see "chickens in the wild" .. roosting in trees, fighting in the streets, raising cute young chicks, and flying ... yes, flying! This chicken phenomena is unique, precious, and yet one more reason to love beautiful Kauai. We love our chickens.
Several years ago I was working in the yard when a chicken walked up to me. I was startled to turn and see this feathered sight as she approached. Some "lower than life" humanoid had put out poison and this hen had partaken. Her entrails were literally coming out of her mouth and it seemed she was asking me for help. I helped in the only possible way, and I did have tears in my eyes as I disposed of her lifeless body. I will never forget that moment .. I was deeply moved.
Approximately 4 months ago, another chicken appeared. She was really a bit young to be alone, and I thought for sure she had lost her mother and the old hen would show up shortly to claim her lost chick. That didn't happen and the chick didn't leave, so I tossed a few pieces of cat food her way when I fed Baby & Vicious, then went into the house. That little chick was back the next day, and the next day, and has been back every day since. When I go outside in the early morning to give the Ferocious Felines their breakfast she magically appears. Should I be in the yard and start whistling or singing, here she comes. She now eats with the cats, and they with her; respecting one anothers space and forming an odd and often comical triad outside our door. If I am not timely with breakfast, she joins the cats in verbalizing her dissatisfaction with my poor service. What a cacophonous melody this trio produces! The 3 of them give the gift of laughter on a daily basis .. among other lessons to be learned when I am still and receptive.
Yesterday, as I fed our menagerie, I had a thought that left me feeling warm, happy, and thankful. I suddenly knew My Chicken had appeared to convey a message ... a message from another chicken of several years before. I was thanked and assured she is alright .. and I smiled. Funny how life works that way .....
Several years ago I was working in the yard when a chicken walked up to me. I was startled to turn and see this feathered sight as she approached. Some "lower than life" humanoid had put out poison and this hen had partaken. Her entrails were literally coming out of her mouth and it seemed she was asking me for help. I helped in the only possible way, and I did have tears in my eyes as I disposed of her lifeless body. I will never forget that moment .. I was deeply moved.
Approximately 4 months ago, another chicken appeared. She was really a bit young to be alone, and I thought for sure she had lost her mother and the old hen would show up shortly to claim her lost chick. That didn't happen and the chick didn't leave, so I tossed a few pieces of cat food her way when I fed Baby & Vicious, then went into the house. That little chick was back the next day, and the next day, and has been back every day since. When I go outside in the early morning to give the Ferocious Felines their breakfast she magically appears. Should I be in the yard and start whistling or singing, here she comes. She now eats with the cats, and they with her; respecting one anothers space and forming an odd and often comical triad outside our door. If I am not timely with breakfast, she joins the cats in verbalizing her dissatisfaction with my poor service. What a cacophonous melody this trio produces! The 3 of them give the gift of laughter on a daily basis .. among other lessons to be learned when I am still and receptive.
Yesterday, as I fed our menagerie, I had a thought that left me feeling warm, happy, and thankful. I suddenly knew My Chicken had appeared to convey a message ... a message from another chicken of several years before. I was thanked and assured she is alright .. and I smiled. Funny how life works that way .....
From Kauai to Paris ... and all places between
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