It happened today. We have been letting the chickens out in their yard unattended for the past couple days. The weather was nice, they are so big for their caged yard, and the cats have seemed to not notice them too much. But the birds share a fence with the dogs. And that was the problem. Today I looked outside and I saw Chopper, our Chihuahua laying on the ground nosing at something. Something big. Something fluffy. I called him inside, locked the other 2 dogs in too, and told the kids NOT to come out with me. My oldest asked why. All I had to do was look at him and say it again, and he knew, I could see it in his face. I went out and there was Phoenix...he was the biggest, in a couple of weeks he probably would have been bigger than the dog. Twice today we have caught a chick sitting half way up their gate- it is a makeshift gate made from a palette from our lawn mower delivery. So either he flew over, hopped up the gate or jumped from the cage to the fence....I don't know. I don't even know what happened. He was in one piece, and when Paul got home tonight and went out to bury him he said he wasn't bleeding. So who knows what happened. When I got back inside my oldest was already hiding in another room, as soon as I walked in with him he ran to me and cried. My 4 year old was confused. Had no clue what had happened. I told him and of course he ran to look out the door, which drew my 2 yr old as well. So I have one crying on my lap and the other 2 running around saying things like " I see Phoenix" and "Phoenix is dead!!!!!!" I guess the permanence of death hasn't hit them at thier ages. I am like my 6 year old. I hate death. And I had a problem with what to do with him. I knew I couldn't touch him, let alone pick him up, but I couldn't let the dogs back outside with taking care of it in some way. I ended up putting the wheelbarrow over him. I am sure it is something my husband loves about me....I can handle anything the kids throw at me. But when it comes  to the animals....he used to come home somedays to find bowls I overturned on the floor from where a dog or cat threw up.....I physically can't do it, well not without getting sick myself.

So I am a little sad. It took my son a little bit, He hid in his room, but came around and helped us pen up the rest. He was glad it wasn't one of HIS chicks. Or his brothers'. And Phoenix was the one we were going to give away anyway....but he was a pretty bird.....