I believe that I was lucky enough to have loved a true earth bound angel. Of her angel qualities I have real evidence in the way of a duck story… To many this example of her beautiful personality will seem ridiculous. To Debbie’s close friends and family… it’s what sets her apart. When, on about our 7th move (a whole other story!) we landed at Sudbury Road, along with a couple of wild ducks that took a liking to our large pond. I cannot remember the exact sequence of events but it went something like this… Year one: In this saga, during year one the couple produced around twelve babies. Debbie spent a lot of time feeding and protecting the babies along with protecting the mother duck from any rouge males that came along and in Debbie’s eyes tried to rape the mum. Unfortunately this was a disastrous year in which every single baby was either killed by rats or birds of prey on their journey from & to their own wild pond that was around a third of a mile along the main road from our house. Debbie vowed not to get involved again… Yeah Right! Year two: You can guess the first part. The couple produced around twelve babies. Debbie spent a lot of time feeding and protecting the babies along with protecting the mother duck from any rouge males that came along and in Debbie’s eyes tried to rape the mum. The key addition this year was to follow at a distance the mum and babies along the road to the wild pond and keep daily vigils whenever possible and feed them at every opportunity. The fishing tackle shop owner had a boom year for maggot sales! The result this year was even worse as all were killed with the exception of a single baby that limped home with a gaping wound in the head from an attack. Debbie nursed it by hand but unfortunately it never survived the week. Things like this really broke her heart. Once again she said never again. This time, I almost believed her. Idiot! Year three: I cannot even begin to explain the level of cost and effort that went into fortifying our garden when the couple really went for it this time and produced sixteen babies, as you will now be getting the pattern… Debbie spent a lot of time feeding and protecting the babies along with protecting the mother duck from any rouge males that came along and in Debbie’s eyes tried to rape the mum. This resulted in a terrible accident during which I had to finish off a rouge male that got hurt during a mad scrap in the garden. The fortifications were developed to extend around 30 square meters of lawn and pond with a net roof to prevent air attack. The babies were banned from the trip to the wild pond as Debbie had lost respect for the mother ducks parental skills. She was also totally disgusted by the dad that was now banned from the security zone as he was also trying to attack what Debbie now referred to as her babies. Excuse my French but these animals really were shitting machines and totally ruined our pond and garden. But this time they grew! And grew! I eventually persuaded Debbie to allow the mum to take them along the road to the wild pond. This time we played more of a vigilantly role and helped fortify the wild pond, and spent an hour or two every day as security guards. Unfortunately, one by one they started to be murdered (Debbie’s words) So when around eight were left she made the decision to adopt by force the survivors and I do not care what anyone believes here as I witnessed the following with my own eyes. Debbie & I went back to the pond, threw in no more than a dozen maggots and called to the babies as she turned and started for home. One by one they lined up behind her and I do not lie… followed her at fast pace at a distance of no more than 2 foot behind. It was pure magic and touched my heart. The next few months at home were hell… mess everywhere and total chaos. Then as if the time suited her, the natural mum… A duck came back and became very agitated in the garden. The teenagers now followed suit so we decided after heated debate about nature and when to let go we opened the gate. They all simply left. In situations like this we assumed that was it and probably we would find them reduced to nothing in the next few days/weeks. But then one-day months later at the end of summer that year… Debbie came screaming into the lounge and dragged me to the front door. There was a sight that I will remember all my life. Eight young but fully-grown ducks were kicking around on the drive!!! We gave them a feed and drink and they fed from our hands. Debbie was in ecstasy. Her ducks had made it through. She offered them access to the garden but this time they simply stayed another 20 minutes or so then left. You read what you will into this story. To me it sums up Debbie. Her ability to love & protect, and those ducks returned on that wonderful day to return it. PLEASE SEE THE PICTURE EVIDENCE!!!