It's March and that time of year again - where wild ducks, of all the birds, fly into this urban neighborhood and hang out on our front lawns. One couple in particular has always hung out on one neighbor's lawn. The male & female were so cute - they would watch out for each other. In general they would not be disturbed by any other animals or people, except for the typical curious passerby who would find them so cute and unusual in the city.

This morning I was driving slowly on a street to my home when I saw the big male flying - flying toward my car. I was aware of my surroundings and knew it was going to land somewhere nearby. It landed in the street, in between parked cars and near the curb and the middle of the street. I slowed down as I passed him, admiring how big and healthy he looked, and how beautiful his feathers were.

As I continued driving, I was wondering if I should have stopped to scare him onto the sidewalk & away from the dangerous street. But since I didn't see him in my rear view mirror, I figured he was smart as always and had hopped onto the curb.

I got home & told my dog Raindrop, "Let's go see the Duckie! Do you wanna see the Duckie?" Excited to go on a walk so she could see him, I promised her we would go after I did a little work on my computer.

About 20 minutes since seeing my feathered friend, Raindrop & I took off on our morning walk. We walked down the opposite side of the street & then on the other side, where I last saw my feathered friend.

Then, as we walked on the sidewalk, I saw a large dropping. I was excited & told Raindrop, "that looks like Duckie poopoos! Let's go see the Duckie!" Raindrop was excited & I couldn't wait to see the big duck, who seemed so strong and healthy.

We got to the spot where I last saw him, not more than 30 minutes earlier. He was dead. I was horrified. I cried "Oh NOOOO!!!!" I moved to him & touched him with my foot in case he was still alive. He was not. Raindrop was going to retrieve him & I told her "NO! Duckie is DEAD!"

My eyes were swelling with tears & I rushed Raindrop home. How was I to go to work feeling so distraught, knowing that I had seen such a beautiful creature & only 30 minutes later would find him dead? The questions terrorized my mind - could I have saved him had I pulled over to make sure he was safely out of the street? Did he suffer a painful death? Was he the partner of the duckie couple in our neighborhood? Was he sick anyway & I just happened to see him before he died?

I didn't want to leave him there. Yet, my past experience would be to call a city official, who would only pick him up & throw him in the trash. I didn't want that total disrespect for another living creature.

The best I could do, after getting through teaching a class, was to come home & share my story on the Rainbows Bridge. It won't bring my little duck friend back, but at least I have some peace of mind that this story can serve as a memorial to a creature whom others may not cared about.

Rest in Peace in the Rainbows Bridge, my feathered friend. I'll see you & all my animal friends there someday....