Sad sad day. :(

When I went outside this morning to give the little ones fresh water and food and move the run I found only 6 little ones. Naili and Coco were gone! At first I thought someone had come in the middle of the night and took the netting off, climbed in and grabbed them and then carefully put the netting back in place the way i had it but I discounted that and started to call for them. I looked back at the run and there at my feet was feathers, lots of feathers... and blood on the framework. Then I looked to the west side where they always sleep and there was Naili's body and when I walked over there I found her without a head. What did this?!?!  I haven't definite proof but am reasonably certain it is a raccoon. A few weeks ago a raccoon came to my back door area to eat the duck food in the middle of the day and when i tried to shoo it off it was reluctant to leave. Since then Daisy was laying eggs again and they were disappearing and I figure it was a snake till she laid a total of 7 without any eaten and then the next day they were gone and all that was left was broken shells. And whatever this was had to have little paws to reach through and grab the duckies and the chicken wire was only pulled back far enough for little Coco to be pulled through. I feel badly that this has happened. I knew things like this could happen and for a first timer raising them I knew the chances were increased. They are my responsibility and I failed for their safety.  Hurts more that it was Naili as she is the closest to me. Coco never did like being held by me. I still have Omelet, Sunny, Punky and the other three that have yet to be named.  I went to Lowes and got a heavier meshing with smaller openings that should keep the raccoons' paws from reaching them. I have moved the run completely away from that area and gave them fresh everything and I sat down inside to hold them. They have been completely different since they have been outside. Not as in a hurry to get near me.  When they were inside I could talk and sit with them whenever I wanted but since outside that is not the case. It's too blasted hot.  Even in the shade it is too much for me.  I am assuming that most of my readers don't really know me and find that heat is a poor excuse for someone to spend time with a pet so let me explain myself.

I am a disabled veteran. My injuries are 3rd degree burns to 55% of my body with a left below the knee amputation and a my right leg is even more unstable. Although it looks fine at first glance, it is unstable due to the complete loss and removal of the patella, patella tendon and quad muscles. Because of my burns and the heavy debriedment I have no sweat glands in that part of my body for cooling myself off and therefor I overheat very quickly. I, in shorts and no shirt, start to feel uncomfortable at 76 degrees Fahrenheit. It's in the 90's outside until dark. Nothing I can do about it.
Here are links to photos of the injuries. Pretty nasty looking so I wont post the photo out right. You'll have to click the links if you want to see disturbing imagery.
Foot before amputation
Side view of same foot
Overhead view of both legs
nearly full body shot on 3rd month of recovery(not nude)
left arm (my right did not get burned except for 1st and 2nd degree on hand)
All cars parked under that window were destroyed


Where I moved the run it gets additional shade from a large sweet gum tree and since the ground was unsoiled I got in with them and sat down. They took off away from me and congregated in a corner. I called to Omelet and by golly Omelet turned and looked at me. Can they actually learn their names? It came near me and I grabbed it and out it in my lap. Now, next to Naili, Omelet is a sweetie and very calm duck and enjoyed sitting on my lap, but today she couldn't wait to get off and kept honking and scrambling to get off.  That hurt. I was sure Omelet would be happy. I let it go and called to Sunny which looked at me. Again, is it possible they know their names? Now Sunny, Punky and the unnamed black one were all born at the same time and for the first 12 hours were without human contact and therefore bonded with each other. Lately Sunny and Punky have started to come to me in the house and sitting on my lap and staying put without me holding them. Sunny actually came to me and started to nip at my shoelace and i picked it up and put in my lap and it did settle down for a short time. I tried Punky but to no avail. Neighbors came over to look at them and chat and after a few minutes I felt dizzy and not to well from all the heat and sun exposure so i came back inside.

My wife and kid are coming home tomorrow. Woohoo! I haven't cleaned the house for their return. Oh NO!  It's been relaxing and quiet by myself here but I miss them.