FREE recipes, desserts, crafts & health ideas
Animals books, Crafts & Hobbies & Special Kitchen Values
PinkSunrise.com | Families-First.com | Homeschool Zone | Event-of-the-Week | Bookstore | Search

Ducks
Join the PetCorner Discussion Group

This picture comes from Karen who lives in a rural area and has a funny story tell about her duck named "Buddy". Buddy started as an orphan duck, raised by chickens and then has left birds altogether by becoming a mother to a dog. She even cleans his teeth! Here's more about Buddy.

The duck's name is Buddy. Our neighbors gave the duck to my granddaughters 3 years ago, when it was just a couple days old. One of their ducks laid an egg in their chicken house just like a Cowbird would lay an egg in a songbird nest! A setting hen hatched it! We asked "is it a boy or girl duck?" - they didn't know...we don't know, either! So, the girls figured "Buddy" was a generic name that would work, regardless.

Well, this duck adopted our old dog, Mingo. Or vice versa. The two of them spend most of their time together. Mingo has to be chained, as when he was young, and we lived in another state, Mingo was teased by some very horrible people. He is fine with children but is very, very wary of adults. He also seems to be good with ducks! He is a big dog - around 100 lbs (a mix between shepherd and Bernese mountain dog).

One day, another one of our dogs, a Rottweiler-Lab mix named Teddy Bear, decided to romp with Mingo. The duck was not happy about this situation and grabbed the other dog by the tail. For a little duck to try to separate 2 BIG dogs is a pretty brave adventure! Buddy orders those dogs around and always seems to be able to get away with it. He also eats any ticks or bugs that happen to get on the big dogs. Picture below of big dogs romping and Buddy frowning at them! I was laughing to hard to run for the camera in time when Buddy was pulling Teddy Bear's tail!

Watching Buddy clean Teddy Bear's teeth is a really interesting proposition. She gets tartar or something on her teeth and Buddy cleans it off! Both Mingo and Teddy Bear will lay down and let Buddy go through their fur, then turn over and let him go through the other side! When Mingo sheds, Buddy tugs on the loose fur and grooms him, also!

We live in a rural area where there are great horned owls, bobcats, bears, coyotes, and other wild things. When the owls or coyotes are nearby, Buddy goes right into Mingo's dog house with him! Everyone around here is amazed that no predator has caught him and until they see Buddy and Mingo together, they don't believe it!

The girls feed Mingo on top of his dog house, to keep Buddy out of his food! When Mingo is finished, he nearly always leaves a few pieces in the dish and knocks it on the ground for Buddy. (Buddy has never really tried to fly. We don't think he knows he is a bird!)

In the winter, the girls always take Buddy sled riding. He loves to ride with them! He stays outside all winter and does not mind the cold. Of course, we haven't had a really bad winter over the past few years. On really cold nights, Buddy will go with Mingo in the dog house. Otherwise, he sleeps on the deck of the doghouse or nearby in the grass. One time when we had a lot of snow, someone had knocked over an empty plastic garbage can and Buddy spent a few nights using the can for his "duck house".

Buddy eats bugs, crayfish and little frogs if he can catch them. He also likes dry dog food and cracked corn. He will eat Fruit Loops, the girls discovered when they spilled some outside! He also takes a bath every day, summer and winter, in his pan! I was not aware that ducks were that fastidious! And if he is hungry, he runs to the metal can we keep the dog food in and quacks until you give him a handful of dog food!

Our other dog won't let Buddy anywhere near her! Once she thought Buddy would make a nice lunch and Buddy nipped her nose....Misty is terrified of Buddy! Misty is an Australian Shepherd. Most of the time, they ignore each other but if we tie Misty up for any reason, Buddy will tease her! That duck is crazy!!

more pet pics

The Truth About Butterflies
Rick Mikula is called the Grandfather of Butterfly Farming in the United States. Rick has also been 'tagging butterflies for the last two decades as on going research into the mysterious migration of the monarch butterfly. In this interview and essay from Rock you can learn about the importance of butterflies, basics facts and misconceptions about butterflies and how you can get involved in butterfly preservation.

Games People Play
Unique Alternatives to Playing Fetch on Those Dog Day Afternoons . . .
by Cynthia Gallagher
Anyone who thinks dog ownership is easier than child rearing obviously never had to entertain two energetic boxers cooped up inside on a rainy day. For a breed that loves to run and frolic, high-speed chases around the sectional sofa hold their interest only so long. Made a desperate woman by two pairs of plaintive brown eyes, I thought back to the favorite games of my own childhood. The surprising results are guaranteed to wear out even the most active dogs, rain and/or shine.

Faces of Home Education Profile
"Lights! Camera! Guinea Pigs!
Films by Alyssa Buecker,
High School Homeschooled Filmmaker
hosted by Joanne Spataro, FreshAir TeenZine

Alyssa Buecker is an extraordinary teenager. She’s a very talented up-and-coming movie director, with a cast of unique actors. This home-schooler’s future as a director blossomed when she combined her love of directing and animals. Alyssa is the producer, editor, director, and writer for all her films! See a bit more on her unique films which have gained prominence at HBO, Nickelodeon and the Cannes Film Festival!!

Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks: Breeds, Care, Health

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide
to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
more Dog books
more Dog training books

The Basset Hound Owner's Survival Guide
more Dog books
more Animal books
FREE Breed Profiles

The Art of Raising a Puppy
more Dog books
more Dog training books
How to Choose a Puppy
Puppy Training