I hurt so bad I can hardly see the screen through the tears. Someone shot my raven this morning. She was not really mine, but she and her mate have certainly become part of our family/homestead and I just can't stop crying. I just thought I would reach out to you guys. She and her mate build their nest every year (well, this being the fourth year since we've moved here) at the end of our tamarisks. I feed them eggs and hot dogs all winter. My husband and I look forward to this time so much. They began building the nest three days ago. They are so smart. I know that they can be a real pest in some areas, but this pair was not that way. They even knew what I was saying to them, when I would see them across the street and I would holler "eggs for you" they would come right away. The weather has been so nice lately and I have been working in the garden, and they, as always, have been swooping down close to see what I'm doing. This morning I was raking up stuff in the garden, and I heard the shot. Didn't see who did it. The remaining mate immediately began crying in such a way, and then, circling around over the property next to us. I knew right then that she'd been shot. I went over to the neighbor's who are new and I hadn't met them. The wife was home, didn't hear anything, I was trying to keep it together and asked her if we could walk her property (only 2 acres) cuz I was sure someone had shot a raven, I told her all about them and what they meant to us, and that they were federally protected and anyone who shoots them can go straight to jail (just in case they had done it), but she was an older woman, her husband was not home....I found her. I just fell to my knees and sobbed. I took her home, she is wrapped and waiting to be buried when my husband gets home. My girlfriend came over and helped me look for the actual shot wound, which I couldn't find, but she did. I have cried for 4 hours. Her mate is out there crying for her. There will be no raven babies this year, no wonderful spring morning when the first one of them flies off the edge of the nest for the first time. Most probably it was just teenagers driving by. Random. Drive by shooting in the country - just a stupid big black bird - easy pickins. How I wish that person could see my pain right now, could listen to the wonderful stories of their antics and their dedication to one another (they mate for life), the affection and the way they raise their babies. I really thought you all would understand. Thank you.

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), February 19, 2002

Answers

Katie -- I am so sorry. People can be so incredibly heartless. There is no excuse for ignorance, but unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a cure for it either.

I'll be thinking of you today.

-- Tracy (trimmer31@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

Oh, I'm so sorry! Some people can be so cruel. My FIL used to say that anyone who can heartlessly hurt an animal can hurt a human the same way. Also, remember what goes around, comes around. That person will have to deal with some awful pain or loss someday.

Your story reminds me of my father who has been gone for over thirty years. We lived in the city and as he got older, he got a job as a security guard working at night. At one building, he had to walk outside and he made a pet of a small wild rabbit. Every night, he'd bring the rabbit some carrots or bread. How he enjoyed the rabbit! One night, he found it dead. Some fool had put an arrow through it. He felt so sad as you do. I'll never forget his expression when he told me.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

Katie, I am so sorry you lost the bird you have come to love so much. It is such a said thing to have happen and there is no reason for someone to be so cruel. You have my sympathy. Jenn

-- jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), February 19, 2002.

Katie, I am so sorry for your loss, and it is a loss even if you didn't "own" them. For the last several years we've had a mom and pop magpie move in on us and raise 2 families each summer. We love them because they eat the starling eggs! We feed ours too, and have enjoyed them to no end, especially when the babies come out of the nest. Last summer when the babies were old enough to get around a bit, they (babies) were going out on the road frequently. Over 2 or 3 days we lost every single one, just because some stupid idiots couldn't be bothered to slow down just a little to give them time to fly off. Talk about unhappy, I don't know who was more upset, the magpie parents or my dh and I. So we can certainly sympathize with you. So many people are not only thoughtless nowadays, they are often just plain cruel. A week or so ago someone shot two wild horses near us, a stallion and a young colt. Weren't bothering anyone, and they too are protected by law. Someone shot them for "fun". It makes me just sick.

I feel so bad for you. I wish we could all give you a big hug.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), February 19, 2002.

I'm so sorry for you Katie, What a wonderful gift to have enjoyed those birds. Ardie's right, the ones responsible will someday understand what you're feeling. God Bless you.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

Katie,

My heart goes out to you. Whether they were "yours" or not matters little once they become a part of your life... the pain and loss are just as strong.

I'm so sorry that you lost her.

-- Kristin in La. (sevenstonestile@earthlink.net), February 19, 2002.

Hi Katie

So sorry for you. Sad to think about the mate left alone crying.

-- Rick in Southwest WV (Rick_122@hotmail.com), February 19, 2002.

Katie - I am crying with you. It's one reason I hate hunting - there is always someone left behind.

-- Dianne (willow@config.com), February 19, 2002.

It is amazing how much love and feeling a person can have for an animal. I know how hard it is to lose an animal you love.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 19, 2002.

Oh my how horrible! I cannot imagine someone so cruel and heartless....of course we grieve with you..how can folks so involved with the wonder of Gods' creation not grieve over such a senseless act? The Lord sees everything and knows the hearts of all men..I sure hope that whomever did this will someday come to realize the sanctity of all life, and be truly sorry for their actions. I wish there were something I could say to make you feel better..there isn't..know that you will remain in my prayers.

-- lesley (martchas@bellouth.net), February 19, 2002.

Dear Katie, We went through something similar about 6 years ago. "our" ravens had nested nearby since 1992. We can always recognize the male, because somewhere in his travels, he learned to mimic a yapping Chihuahua. One year his mate disappeared--I never heard a shot, and do not know what happened to her. My how he grieved! But it was later in the year, and they had 3 babies that had just left the nest--Boy! Those babies were loud when they begged for food. We, too, left out eggs, etc., as he was having a difficult time keeping all 3 fed without help from Mom. Once the babies were fairly fell grown, they took off, and we figured we would never see them again. Well, 3 years ago this spring, we were out on the deck, and heard a small dog barking. We live far enough out, with no near neighbors, that it really got our attention! And then he flew over...with his new mate! We, too, had always heard they mated for life, so were really surprised! But they nested at the old nest site, and have hatched babies every year since. I don't know if this is really unusual, but maybe yours, too, will find love again, and return to the old nest site in a few years. I hope so. Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@centurytel.com), February 19, 2002.

I too am so sorry about your loss Katie... I have shed a few tears as I read your story. Kathy, I think your story is comforting. Thank you for it.

-- Thrifty Sarrah (olefashion@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.

Years ago, we lived in the city where we had a rather nicely landscaped back yard. We lived in the suburbs, so we saw and heard some wildlife. We had a female killdeer come to our backyard year after year to raise her babies among our groundcover. She knew me as I'd put food out and also chase the crows away from her nest. It was so neat watching the babies un around the area. The strangest thing happened the spring we put the house up for sale! She arrived as usual, but I think she sensed we wouldn't be there any more...that it wasn't a safe place anymore. She carried on, making the usual noises and digging around. Then, one morning, she just walked away toward the fields and disappered! Every spring now, when I hear their call, I remember our wild friend and cherish the memory.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.

Thank you all for your responses - it was like a big country hug. It's a new day, and I just know he will go find another wife. It's so early in spring that I'm sure there are a few "single" girls still looking. Your words and stories have helped me so very much. We buried her last night in the veg. garden, and I will place a nice perennial flower there in her memory. Thanks you guys.

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), February 20, 2002.

I'm very sorry to hear about someone killing your raven. I'm sure the person who did it did not consider that his target would be missed by anyone or anything, as others pointed out.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), February 20, 2002.

Katie, I hope you are feeling better now that a couple of days have passed. Your story had me crying, too. Please post again when the Mister introduces his new mate to you...I'm sure he will find someone soon.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), February 21, 2002.