Friday, June 11, 2010

For the Care and Love of a Chicken


Sarah, our 6 year old daughter is our chicken keeper - she always has been. At two years old she would carry the girls around, talk to them, scold them when they picked on another chicken.

Her love for her dear chickens was expressed more than ever the day before yesterday as she cared for a sick chicken.

When I went outside she walked towards me carrying this ~

Tears streamed down my cheeks as my heart melted as I reflected on her tenderness and care.

I thought for sure that this chicken would be dying within hours as she could barely keep her eyes open. Sarah brought her on the porch and spoon fed her milk and then we gave her a bit of oil and rubbed her neck in case she had something stuck in her throat.

We prayed and talked about God's plan for the chicken and that she may be ready to die.

She continued to massage her neck and fed her and let her sleep off and on throughout the afternoon. By the next morning the chicken was up on its feet and seemingly better; not 100% but truly better.

Thank you Sarah for taking the time to care for this chicken. I know she wasn't one of your favorite ones that you had named, but just the same you taught us that it is important never to give up and with a little love and care anything is possible.

Warm wishes, Tonya

33 comments:

  1. How beautiful~ what an amazing lesson for a child, to care for living things!
    A couple of years ago 10 of our chickens came to us full grown- and they had been de-beaked. It broke our hearts to see them so maimed- and our oldest girl stayed by them, raked the dirt for them to make it soft in case they had trouble or hurt their beaks, made sure they could eat- watched them carefully for any signs of pain or distress- it was a huge lesson to her in the care and love of living creatures.
    I hope your chicken gets better~ and what a sweet girl your Sarah is!

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  2. Oh what a sweet girl! Glad to hear the chicken is doing better. Blessings,

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  3. Aww, so sweet of your little wee one to be so caring!!!! I'll pray for the dear chicken!

    ~Samantha

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  4. What a tenderhearted child. So sweet!

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  5. Our 5 year old is the chicken whisperer around here too! I don't know that she'd be so patient though, that is truly tender!

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  6. Oh. My. Goodness.
    That picture of the bird in the basket? It just about did me in. Your daughter is such a sweetheart, and I know I don't have to tell you, but you're a very fortunate mama.

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  7. I always feel so sorry for chickens when they are sick. They are such busy, hardworking creatures. It just doesn't seem fair....

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  8. How lovely and sweet. You have a very special little girl. :)

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  9. What a caring, compassionate little girl your Sarah is! And what a sweet story to start my day... thanks for sharing.

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  10. Oh Tonya, this is just an incredible post. How amazing that your daughter wanted to care so for the chicken, that she sees is at as a valuable part of her family.
    Thank you for sharing

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  11. You are raising such a beautiful little light of compassion, so needed in this world. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  12. Oh Tonya, how beautiful this was to read! Thank you!

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  13. Awww- a little chicken whisperer!

    Great post! Nicole

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  14. Sarah seems like such a lovely and sweet little one! You are an amazing Mama!

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  15. What a lovley post --- God Bless you and your family.

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  16. My eight year old son is my chicken keeper. He really loves them.

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  17. Dear Tonya,

    What a sweet experience. We love our chickens, too, and I have many happy (and some sad) memories of playing with the chickens we had when I was a child.

    How nice to see that your daughter has that gift. It will be interesting to watch her as she develops this in life.

    Love,

    Marqueta

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  18. That post just said it all - and it brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  19. so touching! thanks for sharing the love with us.

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  20. This was so sweet and heartwarming. Your daughter is very fortunate that you give her these opportunities and that you allow her to take the reigns on something like this. She will benefit in so many ways.

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  21. Oh my Tonya, So much love, I cannot even read this to my husband, he would be in tears. Such goodness!

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  22. Your daughter is precious. Having pets can be very difficult when it comes to their passing yet it is a tremendous lesson for us to share with our children. xo

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  23. Thank you Sarah for not giving up on your chicken!

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  24. That is a really touching story. Life on a farm is such an amazing series of circles. Seasons change, animals get born, get sick, get well, or maybe die. Plants sprout, grow, and wither.

    I forget that it is all in God's hands when I get grumpy and complain about the late and rainy spring. Weather that is not so good for our tomatoes is great for our lettuce and spinach.

    It sounds as if you've been truly blessed.

    Russ

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  25. thats a lovely post, im the same way with our chickens!
    I enjoy reading your posts so I have left you a beautiful blogger award at my blog for you x

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  26. What a beautiful soul you have Sarah and a wonderful way with animals. All your life they will know you and recognise your gift and come to you. You are a natural healer.

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  27. This story is a reflection of the mother you are to your daughter. How lovely.

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  28. so precious. and such a tender heart your daughter has, what a wonderful story. thanks for sharing it with us.

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  29. what devotion! lucky chickens to receive such care and prayer.

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  30. Wonderful. Your chicken thanks you for your kindness.

    :)

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  31. That is such a sweet story! I'm so glad the chicken is ok...

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