First Kill

Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I killed something bigger than a fish. (On purpose, that is.)

One of the three remaining Lucies has been sick for a while and we considered helping her out of her misery a few days ago, but she seemed to get a bit better, and was eating a lot more. We gave her a few more days, but yesterday it was clear that she would not make it. So, I forced Tomoe to watch as I took my natta (Japanese machete) and chopped off her head.

I expected blood to spurt everywhere and the headless body to run around the yard. Well, actually she was quite sick so I didn't expect too much post-mortum running, but I did expect way more blood than there was - which was none. Maybe that is what was wrong with her.

Well, in order to keep from being accused of sensationalist blogging ;P, I will warn you not to scroll down any further if you do not want to see what some might consider gruesome. I myself am fascinated. As I said, it is the first time I have ever killed anything this big, and it was obvious that she was suffering, so I feel fine about it (I hope someone will do the same for me some day). It made it easier in that this was as much a pet as it was an egg machine, and I wouldn't want a pet to be sick and suffering with no hope for cure. In fact, when I put her on the stump and ran to get my machete, she sat waiting patiently, and even smiled when I returned.

So now there are only two left of the original six. Two dies from sickness, one drowned in the pond, and one was killed by a weasel. They may have been the lucky ones. The last two Lucies will soon find their freedom taken away. Once the snow starts to fall, they will be confined to our garage. We have opened up a much larger space in which they can walk around without bumping into a wall, but there will be no dirt scratching or dust-baths for more than a few months.