It's 11:00 a.m...

It's time to go...

To take Benny to the vet...

To ease him over to the other side...

Away from pain...

Towards joy...

Towards old friends...

Good-bye my sweet Benny "Boonya Boon-Boon" Boy...

I will love you forever...

And see you again one day...

Whole, healthy and happy again...

Dear boy, you are SO LOVED...

And will always be remembered...

Benny was so fluffy and very alert and active in the car, but by the time we arrived at the vet office 20 minutes later, he was already tired and was snoozing in my hand and letting me pet him on his neck and bill. The vet gave him a quick injection and his eye lids relaxed into a deeper sedated haze.

I’ve seen some ducks fight before, but Benny was ready to leave. Within seconds of the second injection, his spirit floated away. I held him close and whispered all of my promises to him.

The vet made up foot imprints of his healthy foot for myself, Julie and Gary (his rescuers) and Mary (who has sponsored him since his arrival). I insisted that they be pressed from his good foot because that’s the side that took on the burden of his injury and helped him overcome what ailed him for so long. I want to remember the healthy and strong part of him—not the piece of him that brought him any discomfort. I also took a few feathers from him for each of us. I want to make up little shadow box frames with the footprints and feathers.

Benny's passing was gentle and peaceful and the moments beforehand in the car were actually pretty happy, with him foraging in the hay and looking out the window as the world passed by (and enjoying the A/C).

But now... I'm left with an empty hole in my heart that will remain with me for a lifetime...