This is Ping, a dear Pekin duck that entered our lives a little over a year ago.
My son, Hayden has always had a soft spot for ducks for as long as I can remember and upon talking to a neighbor a sunny Sunday one day last spring, she told me the local market was selling baby ducklings, so we went to 'check them out'. Of course we came home with one... Ping, who when we went to the flock to pick one out, jumped from the crowd into our box, claiming us. She quickly became part of the family as a cute little yellow soft patch of down (yes, that is her in my profile photo) and immediately imprinted on Hayden, becoming his best pal. Following him everywhere, peeping along the way they have had great times swimming together (Ping would ride on his back), hanging out on the lawn in the warm sun and sharing hugs...yes, ducks hug! It was a dream come true for him and if there ever was a bond between a boy and a duck, this one was very deep.
Sadly, last evening, while she was out on our pond, enjoying a rainy day, she went missing and we have not seen nor heard from her since. A thorough rainy night - flashlight in hand search around the property was followed with tears and worry and sadness with her absence and we hope she will return, but as she always stayed close to the house, it seems unlikely now. She was a great friend to us and an awesome pet. She never failed to greet us as we got home with her loud quacks and enhanced our pond with her grace and beautiful feathers. She was a wonderful addition to our home and hearts and although we have enjoyed her occasional eggs, we mostly appreciated her quirky personality and the warmth of genuine friendship she brought to my son.
It is a trying day today, for the loss of a friend, whether they be human or in this case a duck, is a very sad event indeed. The hole they leave in the space they used to be in our hearts is impossible to fill and is a painful void that remains empty. Having a good friend is a great privilege to receive and being one in return a very powerful gift to give, whether it be to talk and share life's joys and burdens or as with Ping, to just simply hang out and enjoy each others company. Some take friendship lightly and others in sincerity pull it to their hearts, but our duck Ping, was really a true friend indeed.
You are greatly missed.
