I am writing this with a very heavy heart.
I had to rush my dear little Madame to the vet this morning, as an emergency. It is Vestibular Disease - she needs to stay in the vet's hospital.
It was such a wonderful early morning. We left the house at 7.30. The sunrise was incredible: dramatic, from deepest red to palest yellow. so beautiful!
There was frost on the grass - and Madame so enjoyed rolling on that grass. It was dry, but the wind came from the Arctic, so it was really cold.
We went across the big field, so Madame could roll to her heart's content.
There were a few raven calls, and as we reached the horse chestnut avenue, we saw four ravens fly high above us, towards the South West. I didn't think we'd see any of them today - but as soon as we came to the little arboretum, there they were, waiting for us.
It was again the young pair.
We went through the usual feeding routine, and I found it interesting to see that it is the smaller, slimmer raven who does the snatching.
This raven is still skittish, the other a bit less so, but the bigger raven, who doesn't snatch as much scraps as he can, seems to wait a bit, as if to see if the smaller one wants the scrap, before he takes it.
We went back home along the 'no-more-food' way - one raven followed us. He didn't follow closely, he waited util he saw where we went, and then flew to sit on the shed roof.
I don't know what will happen with my beloved little Madame. I'll be told later today.
If she has to stay in the vet's hospital overnight, then I will go out on my own, to feed the ravens.
I don't know if I'll be able to do this if I have to say good-bye to her tonight.
Keep us in your thoughts.
