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| Name: |
Richard
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Age: |
Deceased
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| Gender: |
Male
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Kind: |
Muscovy Duck
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| Home: |
Gold Hill, Oregon, USA
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Hello,
I am Richard! I am a very unusual duck as I am a Muscovy. The most
unusual thing about me is I don't like water! Consequently, I am a very
skuzzy duck (or so my vertical friend calls me) as I only take a bath
twice a year. Most of the time I spend my days sitting under an apple
tree, running after the lady ducks and eating, eating, eating. I have a
very happy life!
I am also very special to my vertical friend and that makes me happy. Many
years ago, I was thrown away on the neighbor's lawn and when the neighbors
moved, they didn't take me with them. Although I am a tough bird, I was
all alone and became hungry within ten minutes so this was not a happy
time. Thankfully, my vertical friend adopted me shortly thereafter and
brought me to her farm. For many years now, I have had a relatively happy
life with her as she has five girl duckies and I am not lonely anymore.
Also, I'm not expected to do anything more than be "Richard."
I also talk, y'know! Whenever my vertical friend comes too near, I stretch
my gobbly neck upwards and issue a typical male Muscovy greeting of "Hssss
Hssss Hsssss!" This sounds very threatening but my vertical friend
respects me and gives me the space I demand. I am, after all, the leader
of my flock!
There have only been two occasions where, once again, I had to get tough.
One was when the dogs decided I should be lunch and hurt me pretty bad but
I fought back and survived. A small miracle, I am, or so they say. Then a
year ago, the male geese got pushy and hurt me pretty bad again but my
vertical friend took them away and helped me recover. I let her touch me
and bathe my eyes and my leathery face which was pretty badly damaged. I
really didn't mind her touching me as I knew she was trying to help but as
soon as I got my strength back, I once again took up my position as head
male duck (and the only male duck, by the way).
From Richard's vertical friend: Regretfully, Richard died in May of 2006
and was tenderly buried beneath his favorite apple tree. His age was
unknown but his personality will be forever remembered by his friends and
even his "Ladies."
There could never be another Richard and I miss him. Thank you for reading
his story.
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