Ernie Was Family - Rest Well My Friend

Ernie Was Family - Rest Well My Friend
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

I talked to another woman who lives in the Condo's at the pond. She too thinks it was Ernie who was killed last Friday. We think he was hit by a car, and we both said he never went to the other side of the street, why this time? - or maybe he died in another way. Either way, we are 99.99% sure our buddy is gone. I hope he knows many people loved him and we looked for him and I put out fliers, called to see if I could recover his body, and am writing to dept of transportation, state representative and anyone who will listen.

He was morethan just a duck or an animal I photographed often, Ernie was family. I have always known this day would come. It hurts more than I could have imagined. I have a special place in my heart for all animals, but from the first time I saw him I loved him. - 9 years of comfort, cracked corn, warm days, cold to freezing days, ducklings, and lazy afternoon naps.

My confession, last Tuesday, when I last saw him, he came over and I told him, sorry buddy I didn't bring any cracked corn, I'll bring some next time. Well, next time was Friday the 11th. When he didn't show for corn and I didn't see him snoozing in any of his hidey-holes, I didn't know he was gone, I could feel he was gone.

Ernie was smart. He lived with another male and female. They both guarded the female. Ernie in chasing off other ducks, would often dispatch his partner. Every evening he would take his family and they would go to certain spots, almost like a perimeter check.

One summer a couple of years ago, I was sitting near my usual spot, Ernie swings by, grunts a few times, and three ducklings about 6 weeks old came up and sat about a foot from me. Ernie the babysitter. :-)

I don't know what is to come of the remaining waterfowl. Ernie kept chaos from breaking out. He would even go after a goose if they were out of line. It was his world and I am forever grateful he let me in. Ernie reminds me that life is short, do what you want and be happy.

Love as much as you can and surround yourself with friends that you love. Thank you all for your support.


We Love Ernie Club