As you may or may not know, we have a duck named Betty. She was born this spring and we had hoped she would become the mate of our then male duck, Fred. Alas, just as love was staring to bloom, Fred was lost to a predator. But even without Fred around, Betty was going to grow up…..
And one day, she decided *I* was her mate!?!!? Wait… what? Yes, you read that right, my female duck began to fixate on me as her love interest. I tried to explain to her many times, that besides the fact we were both females and of different species, I was already spoken for. But alas, poor Betty would approach me every time I entered the yard. I must admit, it was really starting to get uncomfortable! Like, she was a creepy stalker dude, and I would have to high tail it for the house she was so pushy!
Something had to be done and fast! Why fast? Because she was not only in love with me, but my slippers I would wear in the yard. She would stand next to them, bobbing her head in the hopes of mating. Sorry sister, those shoes were made for walking…. and only walking…. as fast as I could in them, back up to the house! So I called a friend who’s duck yard runneth over with drakes and begged her to bring me one.
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| “Excuses me slippers…. are you busy later?” |
Luckily within a short time, she was able to swing buy with a male whom she was willing to part with. He was two years old, and not as handsome as my Fred was, but he seemed like a nice enough guy. He was the “low man” in the old duck yard, which meant he didn’t get to see much “action.” So of course since he was now the only male he would be “the man.” Yay!!! Now Betty could stop obsessing with me!!!
WRONG!!! While everything appeared to be going smoothly, Betty was still obsessing with me. And within just a few hours of his arrival, the duck we had named Bill, decided he had had enough and went AWOL. Seriously, he left. I guess my slippers were too much to compete with! He hopped our fence and when we located him at the local hardware store down the road, he was heading in the direction of his old home about 8 miles away.
I felt so bad for Bill. Here was his big chance to be the man, and he was loosing out to me and my slippers. We took Bill home and put him in duck jail. It wasn’t safe for him to be wandering around town. Hopefully after a few days, he would realize that this was his new home. The first day out of duck jail, what does Bill do? Attempt to go AWOL again! We managed to fix the escape route and that is when I had to have a little talk with Bill.
I explained to Bill, I was so not interested in Betty and that by all means he should be a little, oh who are we kidding, a LOT more aggressive. I told him I knew it was all new to him, to be “the man,” but that that is what it was going to take. Bill is such a sweet, gentle guy, I didn’t know if he had it in him, but I begged him to PLEASE take charge. That night Betty joined Bill in duck jail. They were going to have to work this out because I was not going to continue being her love interest!
Over the next two days, I allowed them both to run the yard. And by the end of day two, they were hanging out together! And Bill was no longer following Betty around, but walking next to her or leading the way! While Betty did come over to me once that second day and show interest in our old relationship, it was thankfully short lived and she headed back toward Bill.
I don’t know if Bill will ever fit the role of the macho man duck, but as long as Betty decides he is sweet enough to fall for, I don’t mind having a gentlemen duck. Trust me, if you don’t have experience with male ducks…. well they are kind of jerks in the love department. It is kind of refreshing to have a male that is so gentle and sweet. Only time will tell if love is in the air, but at least they have become friends…. Here is hoping it becomes more, because me and my slippers would like to be able to set foot in the yard again!
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| Sweet, gentle Bill. |
This Is such a funny, yet delightful story. I'm glad there's a new duck in the yard…hopefully Betty will find love with Bill. She sure had had a lot of loss and trial in her little life 🙂
I am happy to report this morning I just saw them trying to "make baby ducks" LOL
Ah what a great story:) How cute!
I think these two are going to be quite the adventure! LOL
Oh Mindie! I do enjoy your stories about the animals. You have quite a way with words. Glad to know Betty is moving on and Bill is stepping up! Lol!
It is nice to see Bill step up. I stand at my back window and send him "man" vibes LOL
I cried when you said Farewell to Bill and tonight I laughed as I read about Bill going AWOL. Please continue to keep us updated…I enjoy your writing, Taryn.
Thanks Taryn, I love sharing our adventures. I could not believe when we found Bill at the hardware store! LOL
Sorry, it was supposed to be Farewell to Fred. Taryn
Totally knew what you ment 🙂
The funniest part of this post to me was the visual image of an angry duck feeling slighted and deciding to walk home. What goes through a duck's mind? "Eh, I guess it is about time to, you know, hit the old dusty trail!"
LOL I mean, why else would he leave?
Hurrah for Bill and Betty 🙂 I'm glad your slippers weren't loved to death.
LOL Yes, since I got the littlest country kid a pair that look just like mine and I don't know if he could handle his new tiny versions drawing attention!
lovely story (no pun intended) and you have me cracking up 🙂 Maybe you should get new slippers!
I am seriously thinking about it! LOL
This is a childrens book waiting to happen! Wonderful story.
Yeah, well I don't know about that LOL Bill has become ummm…. "the man" and has started trying to attack me when my back is turned. He is kind of a creep! LOL
Thanks so much for linking up to Teach Me Tuesday last week. We hope to see you again there this week. Our party would not be such a growing success without you 🙂
Have a great week!
Awww thanks.
Lol! I have a male turkey that thinks I'm his hen…seriously, dude! We have 3 pretty ladies for him to show off for and he struts his stuff for me! Best wishes with Bill and Betty! Thanks for sharing on The HomeAcre Hop!
LOL Those mixed up critters!
Our male duck, Sonny, goes through this kind of thing in the Spring. He fixates on ME and this is the duck that is imprinted – he thinks he's human – ha ha Ducks are so fun, aren't they? Okay, I pinned this also. Such a cute story. Best wishes, Linda
Thanks for the pin. Animals are such strange but wonderful things to have in your life. I think we get all the weird ones LOL