These sweet baby ducks were hatched in my care … and they are imprinted on me. I talked to them through their shell, and they peeped back… I picked up their eggs and kissed them… cuddled them, and let them know someone was waiting for them to come out. I’m mommy and they peep for me when I’m out of sight, they follow me wherever I go, they eat from my hand… and most of all – they snuggle with me. It is the most sensational feeling that if you haven’t experienced – you must.
Their favorite place is on my upper chest/shoulder, with their heads in the crook of my neck. They will lay there for hours… or as long as I can sit in one place. I’m fairly certain they love the warmth of my body, or the closeness and love they feel. I kiss them and cuddle them a LOT.
I know that ducks are supposed to have duck parents… of course they do, however, these two were special. They were the last eggs of my beloved “Motor” drake that I raised from a duckling… and who was my dear friend. I miss him terribly, but I knew that hatching these two would somehow keep him alive genetically, if it was all I could have of him. He was incredibly special and we shared a bond that most humans (in my experience) can’t imagine.
I think that bond is initiated because of the need or dependence on human care – just as infant humans – but the continual need is quite different than humans who grow up – animals always need us. I believe that is what makes their relationships so unique and the bond so remarkably strong.
Motor Jr. and Mae are loving, giving, fun, joyful and trusting babies who need love every bit as much, if not more, than human babies. I give it to them freely – when asked – and when they are content, I leave them to their independent follies.
There was an event recently that happened while holding and loving on them. It fascinated me and urged me to delve deeper into animal love and emotion.
These two little critters were showing love like I’ve never experienced – a deep, sweet love with guttural sounds, like an emotional love. I felt it. Of course we all feel loved by our beloved pets – but at times they can take us or leave us… this was different, and I wish I had a way to record them when they are content, and oh so loving.
They were displaying quiet but distinct sounds of joy / content / love – all the while they were gently nibbling me with their soft bills and rubbing their little sweet heads against me. It was so completely unique but I knew right then what it must feel like to be a mother duck.
It literally blew me away – I had no idea ducks were such deeply emotional and loving creatures, but they are.
FARM ANIMAL HAVEN SANCTUARY 