It was no small matter to the children of this household when on Tuesday morning I gently told them they should start saying their final good byes to our most lovely and favorite hen, Isabella. She'd had a wound as a result of the constant badgering of her slightly larger coop mates. Despite my efforts with a Heal-all herbal salve and her separation from the other hens, the wound never improved. I believe the cause of death was sepsis.
The children received the news of her impending death with great and sincere sorrow. There were many tears shed and sobs could be heard all around me. Even by bedtime, it was evident that they were not in their normal states of mind. My prayer was answered, though, when Isabella passed during the night thereby relieved of any discomfort she may have been suffering.
The dear Professor buried Bella 'fore dawn in part to spare the children the sight of it all. They received the final news of her death with a much more tempered sadness mixed with scientific curiousity: How did Dad know she was dead? How did she look/feel when she was dead? Is there a heaven for chickens? Where is she buried?
They are hoping to make a little grave marker for her in the near future.
Rest in peace, Isabella.
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