Senseless Killing and Discouragment

I have had a little project the past couple years (alright, many), keeping heritage breed turkeys. I have had little to no success. I had finally kept a mating pair alive and lastnight what could have only been a coyote (or two) killed my beatiful Royal Palm tom turkey.

The thing that makes me most angry is that coyotes waste most of the bird. Usually guts and breasts alone are eaten, and in this case only one breast and the head.

Sigh. He was a beautiful, friendly bird.

Hard to replace. Expensive.

I admit, yesterday morning I was already discouraged. I love all the critters and the things involved in raising them, but doing it mostly by myself is wearing on me. These creatures are my hobby- my passion- and nobody else in the family really gets too involved except my husband, who just doesn't have the time. So...I had a bad morning yesterday and came in from the barn and cried in the bathroom before going about my day. I skipped church even. Just went to town and got a coffee and a stack of magazines and decided the my husband and boys could fend for themselves for a few hours. I needed it. The chores, the worry over running out of hay, the losses of life because gates are left open by careless people, the financial strain of vet bills...(horses!) I think it's time to find homes for some of my critters but the economy is so bad it's hard to find good homes for animals where the people can afford to keep them.

Bleh. I need to pray about this more. I'm tired.