Gilligan Passes Away

Gilligan died peacefully at approximately 10:15 PM tonight. Burial services were performed at 10:30 PM in a quiet ceremony attended by Keith, Mark and Thistle.

Cause of death is unknown. On Thursday, Gilligan appeared to be on a strong road to recovery after losing his wing in a car accident. Overnight, his health took a turn for the worse. His appetite waned and his right leg became stiff. As the weekend progressed, he ate less and less and he lost all use of his leg.

His final days were peaceful. He rested on his old towel next to his water and feed bowls where he could easily stretch his neck to drink and occasionally nibble at his food. Every once in awhile, he would hop on his one good leg to a new position on his towel. Today, he refused to eat, but he did drink his water.

The weather had warmed on Saturday and he spent a couple of hours resting in the sun. Last night, he sat in Mark’s lap and watched an episode of Star Trek. He dozed throughout the show as Mark gently stroked his feathers.

While his cause of death is unknown, his symptoms were reminiscent of a disease that swept through a brood of baby ducks Mark raised as a kid. One day, the ducks were fine. The next morning, one leg would be paralyzed. The baby ducks wouldn’t eat and died within two days. Only one duck, Lupe, survived the disease and lived on for ten years. He always walked with a limp and was unable to quack like a duck – he sounded more like a snorting pig – but otherwise lived a healthy life, fathering many broods of ducks over the years.

Mark and Keith strongly suspects that whatever this disease is, it took advantage of Gilligan’s weakened state from the accident.

Both say they will never try to rescue an injured animal again. While their grief makes them say that now, they’ll be the first to try to help another animal in need if they happen to come across one.

© 2007
Mark Darien
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