TanksHill...Roll on!!

[freemotion]

Oh, how sad. Yes, it feels strange when life goes on with that glaring empty space always in your awareness.

And now, I imagine, it is hard to look at the dog in the same way.

As far as animals for food, not everyone is cut out for that way of life, and that is ok. On the other hand, it is something you can get somewhat used to, at least the idea of it. There was a time when people grew up with the idea, and it was just normal everyday life. I don't know if my grandmother ever killed an animal herself....her sons had the job of going out and killing a chicken, and she would clean, pluck, and cook it. They weren't given an option....it was their job. My dad had the job the longest since he was the youngest boy. But he agonizes over killing a pet, and will only do it if he can't find a neighbor to do it. But he is more than willing to kill any animal for me, that he didn't raise. So all I am saying is it is ok if you find it too hard to do it yourself, that just means you are normal! And I would worry about anyone who can kill with absolutely NO pang at all.....

 

[TanksHill]

Thank you guys. I know for killing to feed my family would be totally different. I think if it was necessary I could do it.

And yes the dog is not on my good list right now. I just keep reminding myself he is just one huge puppy that did not know any better. I am definitely getting him neutered asap. I don't know if that had anything to do with it though. I was just telling my dh how good he has been with the chickens. He actually flushed a couple out of the brush on the other side of my drive. I was calling the chickens and they did not come. Once they crossed the drive he just went on to do something else.

Maybe the rabbit was that chase and grab instinct.

g

 

[Beekissed]

I think this is one reason I have not committed to larger animals. I don't want to be like Bee's sister and have a death farm.

Oh, Gina! I am sorry about your bun. You shouldn't let this put you off from dealing with having large animals. My sister is a fool...this is why she has a death farm. She refuses to educate herself about a particular type of animal or even the breeds, she buys culls from the livestock auction, and she has no proper housing or methods to her farming.

On a real farm, one that is managed well, death is a rare thing. Yes, it does happen and that is life, for creatures or man. But, it can be managed through preventative actions, good husbandry and educating oneself to the possibilities. Putting down an animal is surely a fact of farming or any other enterprise...even with your chickens.

Don't let the horror stories about my sis make you doubt your abilities to raise animals...you, Gina, are no fool.

 

[Farmfresh]

Also there is something about a rabbit.

Even the best trained, most well mannered dogs I know have a hard time with them. I have seen my sister's old VERY noble Australian Shepherd - a dog that would help raise kittens, guard chickens, and even play gently with a guinea pig - drool when he sees a rabbit. He would NEVER have injured one (and my sister even had a house bunny that lived on the loose in the house for a while), but he could just not contain his drooling. :/

Don't be too hard on him. That is one animal they just can't seem to understand about.

 

[TanksHill]

Thank you Bee. I know educating myself is a big thing when I do decide to bring in larger animals. I did not mean to use you sis as an example just that I am disappointed in myself and that big stupid dog of mine.

FarmFresh thanks for the rabbit explanation. It is an interesting dynamic between the dogs and bunnies.

We will get over it and move on.

But I do plan on returning the rabbit feed I just bought yesterday. 2 bags. Uggg maybe I can exchange for chicken feed.

gina

 

[FarmerDenise]

I am so sorry about your bunny.
We have a pet rabbit too. He lives next to the dog, but when he got out once into the dog pen, the dog chased him around and the rabbit ran and finally found a safe hiding spot the dog couldn't get too. Once I put our bunny back in his pen, everything was ok again.
We were fortunate.

Don't blame your dog too much. It is in their nature to chase something that runs. And rabbits do such a fun job of running.

I am sure you did a good job with the bunny. Accidents will happen.

And I too have a hard time killing my animals, even when it is a mercy killing. SO and I usually do it together.

 

[SKR8PN]

I think the thing between rabbit and dogs goes way back to when man first domesticated the dog. One of their jobs was to help provide food for man. I think it is bred into the dogs genes.

Sorry to hear about your bunny.

 

[punkin]

Oh, Gina. I'm sorry about your bunny. I know a loss like that is hard to take.

 

[lorihadams]

sorry honey, it's hard when they are pets.....when you plan on killing them you don't let yourself get too close.

 

[Beekissed]

I would mix that rabbit feed in with your regular chicken feed. It's a great source of greens in the winter. I purposefully buy rabbit feed to mix with my winter grains for this reason.