The Welsh Harlequin ducks took longer to begin their laying this Spring which in turn delayed our duckling's arrival until last week. 3 females and 1 male {whom Panda has deemed his name is Zoidburg} have joined our odd little clan..
Frog held them on her lap, peering over the edge into the galvanized bait bucket, speaking to them about her excitement and all the adventure awaiting them at home. Namely. Moose. Personally, I had my hopes on a positive outcome, as Frog was set on there not being any other way. I feared he may see them as toys or go insane as done when squirrels are darting across the yard.
Once home, we set the bucket down and reminded him to be gentle. be nice. Allowing him {with guard} to sniff and investigate the odd noise and smell from these tiny new additions. From that moment on, Moose once again surprised me with his gentle giant ways.
He has become... The Duck Watcher. So intent on keeping an eye out for his self claimed charges. Interacting with curiosity yet gentle understanding he could "break" them at any given misstep. The interaction between the 5 of them is endearing but under a watchful eye. Moose also thinks of them as a duck poo Pez dispenser...
He follows them everywhere. If you hold one, he is right under you refusing to go away. He allows their nibbles of his whiskers, his nose. Which never fails to bequeath them a blade of grass, crumbs of food or dog drool mixed with boogers. Even the nibbles on his eyes will not set him off. He simply moves his head. It seems as though he enjoys their ear nibbles and between the toe cleaning action.
I remind him to be gentle while moving around, his only desire wanting being his nose placed right there within the crowd. He steps slowly, with intent, when they are under foot as to avoid stepping on them. He learned quickly they make distress noise when their feet are under his paw. That only took twice before he realized every step must be done with caution. The only concern I have is how he is now trying to figure out how to pick them up in his mouth. I caught him doing it after a lick, when he he opened his mouth just enough to fit Zoidburg's head in and did not close it {I was a few feet away cleaning their cage}. I reminded him gentle. No bite. This did not mean he would stop trying but listened while letting out a frustrating sigh. Laying down next to them, his ducklings pouncing upon his ever drooling mouth, nibbling at the strands puddling on the tile and those long whiskers jetting out the sides. I'm not sure what to make of his new desire in picking them up. Does he want to cart them off and chew on their little heads? or is he simply viewing them as puppies. he's male. Which makes it all the more confounding.
My fears have been calmed. My hopes did not fall through. Moose has befriended the new feathering babies and thankfully they continue to live. In his crate....
I love my Moose..
Sweetest dreams,
~Tammie
0 comments:
Post a Comment