Mad the duck

As part of my recovery and personal journey, I have met a duck on my dog walks along the canal. Her name is Mad, and she rightfully lives up to it. She has helped me to express myself more openly and confidently. My home office looks out onto the garden. One early spring, I was sitting at my computer, working quietly. Suddenly, I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye. Turning my head, I saw Mad Duck standing at my back patio door, swaying from side to side to get my attention. She was hungry. How she found out where I lived, I have no idea. In a fit of laughter, I went outside with a bowl of water and sprinkled some food for her and Little Head (her mate). They have been coming to me every spring since then, swaying and quacking away at my back door.

In addition to my usual activities of meeting and greeting them on the canal when I walk my dogs. On some occasions, up to 20 ducks follow me and my dogs up and down the canal. Ducks are not quiet, so there is often a chorus of quacks, squeaks and swoops as they fly to catch up with us. Lilly, my German shepherd, loves this. She dances back and forth along the banks. She follows their swoops as they glide up and skid in the water. Whenever I stop to look at them, the ducks give me duck language for food. I ask them: "Oh no, are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?" They wiggle their bums excitedly and come closer to me as I scatter some food on the water. They can do this up to 6 times during a walk, you can be sure that you are not hungry.

Through my friendship with Mad, her and her boldness showed me other aspects of being, living and expressing myself.