Live Ducks mourns the loss of every duck we hear about that has died. Unless you have owned and loved a duck yourself, it's hard to imagine the grief you feel when you lose such a special friend. We've created this section to immortalize ducks that have touched our lives and brought us so much joy. I cannot see you with my eyes Or hear you with my ears But thoughts of you are with me still And often dry my tears You whisper in the rustling leaves that linger in the fall And in the gentle evening breeze I'm sure I hear your call A part of you remains with me That none can take away It gives me strength to carry on At dawning of new day I think of happy times we shared And then I softly sigh But this I know - we'll meet again And never say goodbye Submitted by Christine Lewis, Author Unknown Sebastian Passed away December 26, 2007 A Special Place You have a special place Dear Lord that I know you'll always keep A special place reserved for ducks when they quietly fall asleep With large and airy meadows and a yard for finding bugs, Lord, I know You keep this Special Place And so to You I pray, For one Special duck who quietly died today She was full of strength and love and so very, very wise. she went to join the other ducks To Your land that is so Divine So, speak to Sebastian softly please And give her a warm hello. She's a Special gift to You Dear Lord From Sharon, who loved her so.... Sharon DeMeola Sebastian's Video Memorial on YouTube - Very moving, you will need Kleenex Sebastian's Story on HandicappedPets.com Trouble and Mischief Passed away February 19, 2005 and December 12, 2004 Over the past few years I've heard about many of your losses, and cried over each and every one. These are the hardest for me to memorialize because they were my own. Tribute to Trouble and Mischief Greg and Lori Goodman, California Quackers Passed away March 30, 2004 March 30, 2004 I never thought I would become so attached to a duck. But, I did. Quackers brought both me & my mother happiness. I always enjoyed playing & just watching Quackers and her brother, Felix. Quackers was attacked by a raccoon one night, about a week ago. Her neck was badly injured, but that was all. We treated the wounds and it appeared she would be fine. After about a week, she wasn't doing so well. She died in my arms last night. R.I.P Kendra Rigoni, Cape Coral, Florida USA Chompy Passed away February, 2004 Chompy was hatched across the street and started wandering over to our yard to be fed every day Chompy (along with his still present brothers and sisters!) was a wonderful duck. He was so sweet and gentle and would wait patiently for his food every day. He made my whole family happy to see him (and the rest!) every time he would grace us with his sweet presence! Chompy had been crossing the street on the other side of our lake, and was hit by a car. Every day we think about him and what a sweet duck he was. Rebecca, The Woodlands, TX USA Beaureguard Passed away March 26, 2004 I came upon Beaureguard because the neighbors inherited him:) He made me happy in ways that I will never know again most likely. He would kiss me and quack to warn me if there was someone near. He was the light of everyones life in many ways, he will be missed. He ate lead balls and got lead poisioning. Please everyone watch for your baby!! By the time we knew he was sick it was too late:( Brandi, Canton, MS USA Daphne Passed away January 16, 2004 On January 15, 2004, Daphne and I were enjoying the morning together when she started having labored breathing. I knew something was wrong so I immediately took her to the vet. The vet took x-rays and found that Daphne had swallowed a small metal object. Daphne went into shock and died a short time later. I had Daphne for about a year and a half and she was my best friend. Daphne loved to go camping with us and she loved to go to the park. When I drove her places, she would sit on my lap and watch out the window. If Daphne was around other ducks or geese and they got into a fight, Daphne would quickly join in grabbing one of them by the butt leaving them stunned at what had happened. Sometimes Daphne would come to work with me and sit patiently on my desk watching me work. Daphne and I shared a close bond that I have never shared with another animal. Daphne's untimely death has affected me deeply but I know I will see her in heaven some day because she was my little angel. Christine Lewis, Boise, Idaho Howard Passed away June 10, 2003 In memory of Howard the Duck A real member of the family. Each morning he'd bang against the grating on his pen when he wanted to go out into the garden, we'll miss the banging! RIP HOWARD!! Lisa Miracle Missing Once upon a time in North Central, Texas... I had just flown in from Atlantic Canada and was friendless. Knowing nobody at all except for my step-dad's family members I spent a brisk March keeping quiet yet waiting for a friend. April.3rd, I was at "Town Lake" in our city and was going through a nature trail when I came upon a beautiful mallard hen, setting upon a cozy little nest in a tree cavity. I've always had a huge love for ducks so I stopped and admired her from afar briefly then continued my walk. When I returned diaster had struck... Four eggs lay splattered on the ground in front of the tree, the hen was gone, but four eggs rested in the nest and I gathered them up in fear of the rest being smashed by some crazy teens (Ironic since I am also one, but not half as crazy to bust little eggs). I incubated them for 28 days then finally after sleeping in the computer room for almost a month I got my reward. Only one egg hatched out of the four and it was also a help-out due to birth conditions. I have heard that it's exetremely risky to do and expected her to die within 24 hours or less.. I carefully washed the excess goo covering her and it was drying quickly making it impossible for her to blink. Amazingly she made it through the night and into the next day just fine! I named her Miracle. For 7 1/2 weeks I had my friend, my animal soulmate whom I desperately needed and vice versa. Miracle was actually one of the most affectionate animals I had ever seen or owned. She was amazing.. A real dream come true. A friend gave me "Buddy" as a little friend for Miracle and my parents put a foot down to two ducks living in our home. They were forced to be put outside.. I was, of course, nervous. After all, Miracle was like a daughter to me. Then one day, I made some new friends! I hadn't been out in forever and decided to leave Miracle's side for an hour or so. I brought my Mum's cell phone to call in and check on Miracle. Instead.. I got the phone call... "Miracles gone...". I still to this day, have no idea where she is or where she went. All I know is my brother had left the back gate wide open and Mum thinks Miracle went to find me because I had left through the same gate... I love and miss you Miracle and you will never, ever be forgotten, ever. Many people tell me, "It's just a duck, get over it." I can never forget her or get over her disappearance, but I always hold a hope that Miracle found a safe place and learned to fly. My dream is for her to return to me this spring (2004). Until you return, Miracle, I pray for you to return safely every single night.. May the wind always be at your back my dearest friend. Brittany LeBlanc, Miracle's Mother Tammy, Tonia, Reggie and Otto Passed away 2002 My ducks were my best friend...Literally. Tammy was eaten by an animal. Tonia was Killed on the road. Reggie and Otto got stolen, Michelle Ping & Gallagher Passed away 2001 They made me go out and do things in the yard, they entertained me, and gave me something different in my life. My ducks were killed the same way, a few months apart, by our dogs. My ducks had gotten out some how. Ariel Bredlau Nipper, Mea, Misty & Midnight Passed away Summer 2002 Nipper was a lovely white duck. He was so tame, like a DOG...Way better. Mea...She was sweet. Misty, so cute. And Midnight, he was spunky. I LOVE DUCKS. Hope, The Duck Girl Ritz, Graham, Oyster and Georgia Passed away July 11, 2003 We went to the Assisted Living that my fatherinlaw was staying at. There was a women who came with baby ducks, chickens, lambs, goats etc to show the elderly SO I Bought 4 from her. We found them relaxing to watch in their little pool I enjoyed getting up early in the morning to give them clean water in their pool. We like to watch them swim. Our little autistic child loved them and she misses them also. We think a dog or some other animal (a fox) jumped the fence and killed them and two were missing and two my husband found dead. Jean Bowden Ping-Pong Passed away July 15, 2003 It was a ducking when I found it, 3 days ago, and it was so cute. I loved it so much. She brought joy into my heart. I will love her forever. Alex Daffy Passed away March 16, 2003 My two other ducks laid eggs but wouldn't incubate them, so I took it as soon as it was laid and started nurturing it from day one. I only knew it for a few hours, but it let me know that I can accomplish hatching a duck, and knowing what to do. My chicken got it, I dont like talking/typing about its death...I'll start crying... I HATCHED it for god sake! Melanie Scruffy Passed away June 22, 2003 I got my duck from my aunt's farm. My duck was the sweetest thing, he would come up to me and wag his tail and follow me all around. He showed me that anything is possible! My duck died of a tragic disease called Botulism. Andrea Quacky Passed away April, 2003 We got her at C.N smith farm. She helped me show more love. she also showed me responsibility. Quacky died when she was attacked by a hawk. Megan Doris and Lucy Passed away May, 2003 There were four ducks in the canal which abuts my backyard when i moved in here 4 years ago. two males, two females..we and others feed them, and we named them "the commander" (alpha male) pansy (non-alpha male) lucy and doris. We loved them so much..loved to see them come into the yard and eat their grain.. then we would let the hose run and they would greatly enjoy rootling in the wet grass and mud from the running hose. all four had distinct personalities and we got the biggest kick out of their antics..i had a duck as a child, and i love the endearing waddle and variations of their "language", when they speak to each other..they certainly proved that they have intelligence, preferences and dislikes, and since they have no natural defense against our florida critters, their welfare and happiness became of great importance to our family...their innocent little daily routines were a joy to observe. First, on easter weekend, we noticed lucy was missing. we thought she was just sitting on a nest as she had done two years prior. she was never seen again. then, in may, we found doris lying dead in a neighbor's yard down the canal. no one knows what happened to dear doris, but we can only surmise that our lucy met with the same fate, as she has not been seen in almost two months, now..the two boys are bereft without their girls, and wandered the canal and yards seemingly without purpose. both boys are sticking together and appear to be moving on, but our hearts still ache for our missing little darlings...lucy and doris..may they now be happy forever, with all the earthworms a duck could want, up in duck heaven.. we miss them so... Karen Fostel Wobbles Passed away October 31, 2002 I found him when I was going to school he was just lying there not moving at all. He taught me how to be responsible for a disabled duck. He died from a disease that I don't know what it is called but prevented him from walking. Caitlin Sackrider Lucky Passed away April 4, 2001 Having a duck, and Lucky was our first duck, showed us that even the smallest things in life matter. Lucky was one to stick very close to whoever he thought was his Mama. One morning my mother, brother and myself were busy in the kitchen and not paying close attention to where Lucky was. Accidentaly my brother stepped on him and his little neck snapped :(. We, and especially my brother, haven't been the same since. Emilie & David Keim Paddles Passed away April 4, 2001 I wanted ducks really bad when I was little and finally I got some. I got four different kinds of ducks and there was one that turned out to be my very favorite. Her name was Paddles. She was very smart. We had our ducks in a pen and somehow she would get out of the pen and come up to the house and peck on the window when she wanted a treat. She was the only duck that was smart enough to do this. My dog got in the duck pen and attacked Paddles. We are very lucky he didnt attack the rest. Alicea Shipman   More photos of AFLAC AFLAC Passed away January 6, 2002 I always wanted a puppy. One night while laying on the sofa watching TV my lovely wife Nancy asked me what I would like for Christmas. I repeated my usual desire for a puppy and Nancy quickly snuffed that out. It was then that the popular AFLAC commercial came on TV, and I replied that I thought a duck would be nice. Two weeks later, a man dropped off what would become the best friend we could ever have. Out of a portable carrier walked a beautiful little white Pekin duck with a red bow around it's neck. We immediately carried him inside by the fire, and named him AFLAC. It was later on that he let us know that he was really a she by surprising us with an egg. We live near a golf course, and she would sit on golf balls that would end up everywhere. AFFIE learned to go for rides on the golf cart sitting patiently while I tried to hit the ball to perfection. I buried a wading pool with a filter, and she loved it, but her favorite place was a built in fish pond on our front porch because she knew she wasn't supposed to be in there. If you would do something for her or give her a treat, she would respond with a loud, THAAANNKS! My wife Nancy swore she had feelings and I would have to agree. A year and a half went by and one day she didn't look quite right. We took her to the Vet and she was diagnosed with Aspergillosis, a deadly disease. The Vet bills soon totaled in excess of $1300.00! AFLAC came home to us after a few stays there, right before Thanksgiving and we were thrilled. We were blessed to spend Christmas and the Holidays with her and she seemed like she was making some progress. On January 6th, in the morning she wasn't herself, and by the time I got home from work, she was laboring badly. Nancy and I rushed her to the Vet in the first snow storm of the winter. Before handing her to the doctor, I held her in my arms. She gave me one last look to say "THANKS" and rubbed her bill across my nose to show her affection. AFLAC died that moment in my arms. It was almost as if she forced herself to stay alive just so she could say good bye and "THANKS!" AFLAC is memorialized close to where her pond used to be. I still find feathers sometimes on her grave, and although I'm not a firm beliver in the supernatural, I feel that she constantly gives us signs that she is somewhere better now. Wherever you are AFFIE, my girlie, Mom and I Say THAAAAANNNKSS! We love you! Tim and Nancy LaPella   Slim and Eggnog I live in an apartment and don't have my own ducks, but I often go to the pond to visit the ducks there. Slim was an Indian Runner who I used to visit everyday on the way to work. Through visiting him, I learned not to give ducks bread and all sorts of other things. I felt really attached to Slim. And one day I went and Slim was gone. I went back every day, but he never reappeared. I was devastated. "Eggnog" was a duck that I bought at a butcher shop and set free. I've learned that that's not a good idea. She also disappeared from the pond after a few months. I was devastated and guilty. I thought I was responsible for her death. I have learned a lot from all of these birds and have even passed an Introductory Wildlife Rehab Class. I'm glad that through my love for them, I've learned to dispel some myths: like that feeding bread to ducks is not okay and that domestic ducks don't fare well in the wild. I hope one day to have my own ducks, but until then I'll enjoy the ones at the park. Ali Liebegott Chong Passed away November 2, 2002 Thanks for the reply. It is still bothering me, but I just can't dwell on the matter. All I hope is that Chong knows I did the best I could for her I just wished I would have done something sooner... I just know now if I ever again have a sneaking suspicion that if my duck isn't the same I am taking them to the vet right away. Di McIlrath Peeper Passed away October 31, 2002 I lost my beloved Peeper, to egg binding on Halloween last year. I had never heard of egg binding until till after she died. I feel so bad. I feel like it is all my fault. She wasn't even a year old yet. I took her passing very hard. After I buried her, I didn't have the heart to clean out her house. I miss her so very much, she was so sweet and gentle. I am sending a picture of her so you can see how special she was. Thank you so very much. Michele Johnson Cheech Passed away April 10, 2002 Lori Thanks for being a friend with all this..... I try and keep my spirits up right now by trying to remember all the times Cheech and I had. I have a picture of the three of them on my computer screen at home and I have a photo on my computer at work, I can still hear her quacking :0) I know where ever I go and there is a computer I can always see my Baby Cheech on your Web-site! thanks again for that!! Di McIlrath Copyright © Live Ducks All rights reserved