Friday, July 12, 2013

Our Fine Feathered Friend

Dear Elizabeth Orpington,
Thank you. You have been a dear, amusing, inspiring, and supportive friend, and I am happy that you lived such an interesting and full life.

Lady Betty Orpington, May 2008~July 2013. She rests in peace.

May 19, 2008

She was a little bird who led a big life.

"She is my muse and my amusement. And I find I can express my dreams and ideals through her. I can make believe that I am a farmer, a philanthropist, a patron of the arts, a cowgirl artist. And the more I live my life as though I am who and what I dream, the closer I come to really fulfilling those dreams. Lady Betty Orpington somehow puts me in touch with that space where imagination and reality meet. I may have a sink full of dirty dishes and a car that still needs a new transmission. Maybe I never actually graduated from college, or overcame my fear of higher math... but Betty can do it all, and she reminds me to keep moving forward, even putting the cart before the horse."

December 8, 2012

She was a happy chicken. She was a pretty hen. She made me happy, and I will miss her walk, her look-me-in-the eyes frankness. I'll miss pretending she was my co-conspirator.

May 29, 2009

Not only was she my muse and inspiration, but she was beloved by our family, friends, and really people all over the world. I am so glad I got to see her so affectionately painted, and admired.

September 17, 2009

She was slowing down, still lovely, still the matriarch of the flock, but definitely not as spry. Chickens don't live forever, but I am happy that she lived well, and that we were able and willing to give her what she needed... even when we had our doubts, or had moments of uncertainty. Our chickens are not a a passing fancy, a hipster's whim. My gratitude for having had her in my life extends to all the blessings I enjoy.

June 23, 2013
Thank you, Betty.

16 comments:

Emily Cole said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Betty. I know she was loved, and I know she knew it too! She was such a sweet chica!

Janece said...

Tears.

Anonymous said...

Dearest Betty...

A chicken who made me investigate in to my love of all animals including chickens.
I hope you roam the fields of heaven in awe, well deserved, well loved, well missed.

Jenn W in California

Sylvia said...

Oh, I'm so sorry. She was the sweetheart of Chickenblog.

Tonia said...

Oh Natalie, I am so sorry. A very sad day. I think Lady Betty and my Betsy McGoo and Buffy must be having a dust bath together, clucking away. You are in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for giving Lady B a full and rich life where she was free to express herself and be the chicken she was. She will be missed by many.

Zan

Miriam said...

Lady Betty was my introduction to Chickenblog. She had enough personality for ten chickens, and I will miss her.

Jennifer said...

So sorry to hear this news, and yet so certain that hers was really a wonderful life.

Unknown said...

Natalie, I am so very sorry for your loss. Lady Betty shared her soul with you. She lives on.

Cat said...

Oh, my. I just had to bury one of my Buffs today. I feel sympathy and empathy. Hugs.

Cat

judy in ky said...

This is so sad.

Shanda said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your little friend and conspirator. It's hard to lose a beloved chicken no matter how long youve had them. We lost one of our hens this week to a neighbor's dog. It was my daughter's favorite hen:-(.

Anonymous said...

Dear Natalie & Miss Betty. Thank you for living and having lived. Your friend & co-conspirator, Natalie, has inspired ME to live my life more creatively. maria little

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

From an email:

"I can't seem to comment on Blogger blogs anymore… :-( Tech woes aside:

I imagine Miss Betty safely & comfortably nesting somewhere, with tall green grasses, yummy food, bugs to chase at her leisure, and other feathered friends keeping her company. She was well loved, and I bet she knew it, too, all the way down to the bottom of her chicken heart. May your family be comforted by your love for each other, and for all your furry & feathered companions.

[previous, longer comment eaten by blogger]

- Deborah from Farm Natters"

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Thank you, Deborah.
I like how you imagine her… it's a happy comfort.

Gah, and feh on Blogger. Typepad, too. I check my spam file, and try to keep everything up to date. It really bums me out when I hear that people cannot comment. I've had an impossible time getting Typepad blogs to take my comments. I try to be realistic about these things, and remind myself they are free services etc… but it always comes back to disappointment, because the comments are such a sweet
part of the blogging experience. I feel left out when my comments disappear from a blog… and I hate for anyone to feel that way when they visit Chickenblog.

Thank you for taking the extra time to share your message with me. Believe me… I do appreciate the kindness.

Natalie

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

We read every comment, and these especially have mattered to us, very much. Thank you, friends.