Where, Oh Where, Can Our Little Duck Be?

Yesterday afternoon, during the daily "great duck migration" from the pond to the front yard, we noticed there were only 3 ducks in the line waddling up the driveway. 

After an extensive search of the pond banks and the pasture we still have not been able to locate our fourth duck.

I know we should not be surprised. The neighbors even warned us when we released our ducks into the pond that there were fox in the area and the other neighbors dogs roam freely without supervision - ever - but I still had overly high hopes that the ducks would be able to fend for themselves. 

Looking out across the farm this morning I saw the ducks - teasing the calf like they tend to do in the morning. Only three.  I wish I knew what happened to that other duck.  At least that way I could try to prevent it from happening again.

Yes, I know, I should be accepting of loss - it is a farm after all and animals die, but I can't help but be sad about this.  The ducks are my guarantee for a good day. No matter how bad your mood is, you can't help but laugh when you see them waddling in a line slowly up the driveway doing that little military cadence "quack, quack, QUAACK" as they walk.  I just watched them do it again - and for the first time, I didn't laugh, didn't even smile - just felt a bit heartbroken looking at that incomplete line.

Our Ducks, "Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday" (named by our 4 year old daughter)