My special needs rooster, Reuben, finally crossed over the rainbow bridge. Of course I knew this day was coming, I’ve known it for a while, but even so it’s never easy when the day is finally here. There were a few times over the last couple of years when I thought his days were numbered. There were times when his health wasn’t as good and I would think perhaps I should take matters into my own hands and ease his passing (Letting Go), but he was a tough old rooster and he had a way of rebounding over the years (Reuben’s Recovery). Reuben was a beloved member of the feather family for six years. He was the first alpha rooster at the farm, and he was magnificent to behold in his prime. A few years ago he started having weakness in his legs. Gradually his toes curled, and his legs no longer worked like they should. We made special living accommodations for him, and he became my special needs rooster who loved to sidetrack me from doing farm chores with long sessions of lap time and hand-fed treats. He had a lovely last summer with Rosie (Rosie and Reuben), but the winter has been hard on him and he began to go downhill fast a few days ago. He began sleeping much of the time, and lap time was no longer accompanied by voracious eating but more sleeping. On his last day, I knew his time had come. I had time to say goodbye, and I am thankful that he went quickly in the end. He will always have a special place in my heart, and now he can rest easy in that great chicken farm in the sky with all of the beautiful ladies we’ve bid farewell over the years.
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