Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

About the passing of our sweet, beloved Tomo

From Bryan, facebook posting
February 23, 2024

Tomo's passing has been gut wrenching. Dachi has been visibly sad and grieving the death of his best friend. Anyone who says animals don't grieve is either ignorant or lying. Tomo and Dachi are both male Pekins about the same age, but their personalities are very different.

Thank you everyone for your condolences and kind words about the passing of our sweet, beloved Tomo. They have been very comforting. I feel like the luckiest person ever, having had the pleasure of living with Tomo for 4 years. Tomo had a huge personality, he was handsome, adorable, adventurous and always protecting his friends. He often had a lot to say.

We first met Tomo after seeing him listed for free on craigslist. The ad said he would be a good meat duck, they just asked whoever got him to kill him humanely. We had no intention of getting a duck, we never had one before, but wanted to save him and lucky for us the farmer gave us his 2 yr old no name pekin drake. We tried to find a sanctuary to take him but no one had space which turned out to be one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me. I learned so much from Tomo. We didn't speak the same language but we communicated and understood a great deal of what each other was saying. Just like you can communicate and understand someone who speaks a different language, you may not understand everything but you can have meaningful communications.

Tomo lived life to the fullest. He loved his peas and most any other food he had access to. Tomo was a great ambassador. Over the years I've had people privately message me that after seeing & getting to know Tomo on fb they were no longer going to eat duck or foie gras. Each year birds of various species picked up Tomo's feathers and lined their nests with them. There are many birds flying around here today who were brought up laying on a blanket of Tomo's feathers and being warmed by them.This week more birds have picked up his feathers that still lay scattered around the backyard to use in their nests. Even after his passing Tomo continues to bring comfort and joy to many baby birds.

Tomo and Dachi chattering away

For years Tomo loved to try and fly but since he was a pekin, flying always seemed just out of his reach. But then it happened. I'll never forget the time I was at one end of the yard and Tomo at the other. I called him over and he came running as fast as his little orange legs allowed while flapping his wings as fast as he could. There was a little tail wind and all of a sudden Tomo lifted off the ground about a foot or two and flew for a good 3 feet flapping his wings the entire time. I swear he had the biggest smile on his face. He started quacking loudly as if to say, did you see that? I flew! I was just as excited and happy for him. He was thrilled.

Sometimes I would hold him with his belly resting securely on my palms and walk all around the yard while he flapped his wings continuously. I'd adjust my hands and arms at times so he would be going up and other times down or banking to the left or right as if he was really flying. Sometimes we'd end the flight with him landing gently in his pool. He thoroughly loved it. Tomo was always the 1st one I'd see in the morning. He'd meet me standing at the edge of his room, quacking and I'd give him belly rubs and he'd playfully grab my fingers before I went about letting him and Dachi out for breakfast and cleaning their room.

Tomo's passing has been gut wrenching. Dachi has been visibly sad and grieving the death of his best friend. Anyone who says animals don't grieve is either ignorant or lying. Tomo and Dachi are both male Pekins about the same age, but their personalities are very different.

Nighty-night....

Though you may see hundreds of ducks, geese or other birds hanging out in a flock each one is an individual with their own personality and preferences. I hope everyone gets to know and have someone as wonderful as Tomo in their life even if it is for a brief time.

I cherish every moment with Tomo. He was a great guy. I'm leaving a tea light candle on in front of his picture for the rest of my time on earth. His light will never go out. Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers and remembrances of dear Tomo. Life is fleeting. Please let those you love and care about know how you feel.

Peas to you all.

Just hanging out together...

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