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Goodbye Cornelius

From Steve Jenkins
Facebook posting September 26, 2023

Cornelius completely changed my perception of birds, much the way Esther did for pigs. It wasn't that he was special (he was special, but that's beside the point) it was because he was allowed to be himself and to show us who he really was. That's the amazing thing about animals. We can learn so much from them if we pay attention.

Turkey Cornelius

Today I said goodbye to one of my very best friends. Within weeks of Cornelius’s arrival at the farm, it became very clear that he had a mind of his own, and an attitude to go with it.

He would follow our piggy princess all over the farm, leading the way on our walks and waiting at the sliding door in the backyard when we got home. He came from a place where he was best friends with the man who raised him, and later found out that Corno would escort his human around their property wherever he went, just like he did when he moved to the farm. He was a people turkey, but not all people. For a while, sanctuary caregivers would come collect him from the back deck while he pecked and picked fights with whoever was tasked with escorting him back to the barn. Needless to say, it was only a matter of time before I caved and he was invited inside. From that point forward, Cornelius was a house turkey, a member of the family, and self-appointed security guard for Esther.

Cornelius completely changed my perception of birds, much the way Esther did for pigs. It wasn't that he was special (he was special, but that's beside the point) it was because he was allowed to be himself and to show us who he really was.

That's the amazing thing about animals. We can learn so much from them if we pay attention.

He was affectionate, loyal, and hilarious. He hated everyone except his chosen flock, and that was just one of the many reasons I fell so madly in love with him. He was like a grumpy old man in a bird's body who lived his life on his terms. He made me smile every single day. He was one of my best friends. He was family.

I would have killed for one last Corno hug, and although I didn't get one, he did hold my hand while he drifted off to dreamland.

Thank you for letting me love you, sweet man. I miss you already, and I always will.

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