Celia Hart's blog about what's going on in and around her studio.
Art, printmaking, inspirations, gardening, vegetables, hens, landscapes, wild flowers, East Anglia, adventure, travel.

Sunday 13 September 2015

R.I.P. Phoebe 2006 – 2015



Phoebe 

November 2006 – September 2015

Our beautiful speckledy Coucou Marans hen has died at the grand old age of 8 years and 9 months . . . which in hen-years is very old indeed. A few weeks ago she lost the use of one leg (no visible sign of injury or swelling, it may have been paralysis after a stroke) in all other respects she retained her indomitable spirit and quiet determination. But I knew this would be her last summer.

Phoebe's first appearance on this blog was on Saturday 17 March 2007, my third ever blog post. I paid tribute to her on the 6th anniversary of her arrival in our garden, when she shared a special cake. She was an old lady then, we were so lucky she went on to enjoy two and a half more years laying the occasional egg, giving the younger hens old-fashioned looks and skilfully chasing and catching flies on the lawn before going to bed.

What a privilege it has been to get to know her so well (she loved porridge oats but wasn't keen on potato or anything sticky). I'll miss stroking her feathers, which were as soft and silky as a vintage Hermès silk scarf, while I thought through a problem and put things in perspective – Phoebe was a good listener.

R.I.P. dear Great Aunt Phoebe

Celia
xx


15 comments:

  1. Sorry for your loss Celeia, at least you know she had a good life with freedom to roam. Rest in Peace Phoebe. x

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  2. How wonderful that she was able to live such a long, rich life. I have three of this breed, and they're lovely hens.

    I hope her memiey brings you comfort.

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  3. Oh bless, what a shame. She was such a beautiful bird. Hugs!

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  4. Oh poor phoebe, but how lucky you were to have such a lovely hen for so many years.and wasn't she lucky too to have you to look after her......

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  5. Oh so sad :( But she had a very long and happy life.

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  6. That is sad Celia, but what a long happy life she must have had xx

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  7. Condolences, Celia. We're lucky when we have a grand old hen in our flocks. She had a very good life in your garden.

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  8. My favourite bantam died just over a year ago, at about the same age as Phoebe. I held her on my lap for two or three hours and stroked her - but it wasn't until I had to go and shut away the rest of them and left her for five minutes that she actually died.

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  9. What a loving tribute. I did not cry over such loss this time. You made me smile instead. Well said, well done. Your lovely Phoebe has simply moved on. :)

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  10. Poor Phoebe :( happy memories will remain

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  11. Dear Celia, you've now got me thinking about how the years that Phoebe and you shared were a joy to both of you. There is something very sweet in all you've written about this particular hen over the years. Thank you for allowing the rest of us an idea of what a good friend she was. xo

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  12. She was a beautiful hen who had the best life possible in your beautiful garden with your wonderful care. I'm sure you will always remember her as a very special lady x

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  13. So sorry to hear that Celia, she was a grand old gal though - probably would have merited a telegram from the Queen in people years.
    Carole

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  14. What a lovely old girl she sounds to have been. I'm sure I've spotted her in a few of your photographs over the years. So sorry so she's gone.

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