It's been some time since I last entered an update, so as you can imagine there is lots to tell! As you know Oli and I had developed a love/hate relationship. He continued to herd his girls around, ward off the dog from prospective attacks, and gobble like a mother hen to call the girls to dinner, watching and waiting patiently while they ate first. Of course his manly protection came with a tiny cost of, uh hum, sexual favors...but what Sultan is going to let his harem languish in the lap of luxury in the verdant hills of a pretty coastal town, while Spring bursts and beckons all about? Okay, enough of the romance, let's call it what it is, he just needed to "get it in", or "smush" as its been called by that outrageous bunch of guidos and guidettes in the other coastal town on the Jersey shore; Seaside. (Aka Sleazeside, my husband will quip.) But more of THAT later!
So after being forced to arm all humans large and small who traversed THAT side of the yard where Oli ruled, with either the Nimbus 2012 (which looked like any ordinary broom), or the Scratcher 2011 (which looked like any ordinary rake), or a giant stick, that looked like, well a giant stick...I announced "Enough is enough!" I immediately called every known farm, rooster rescue and chicken rearing friend within a 50 mile radius to no avail, when finally we (that would be Oli and I) had the good fortune of one return call from the only humane farm in all of Connecticut, Footsteps Farm.
The very next day I ellicited aid from my good friend Dianne, who helped me pack Oli into a dog crate that we shoved in the back of her car to transport Oli the Sultan of All He Surveys to farmer Craig, where he hoped to reign supreme. He settled down quickly once Dianne discovered that he enjoyed John Coltrane on her Sirius/XM radio, pumped rather loudly. We arrived at Farmer Craig's with bird in hand (because as we all know that is worth two in....) oh whatever! After a short pleasant exchange, Craig gently removed Oli from my arms and promptly sat on him. (Whoa, maybe I should have tried that!) He told Oli, "This won't hurt a bit although you won't like it", and proceeded to clip one wing with a pair of sturdy shears. He then released him, no worse for wear, although he did look a little wobbly and embarrassed. Dianne likes to think of Oli as getting an attitude adjustment, which was probably long overdo. Craig likes to think of it as keeping his birds close by so they don't take to flight.
Last I heard, Oli tried throwing his weight around his new digs, but since Craig is the true King at Footsteps Farm, and a benevolent one at that, Oli was given one second chance to shape up.
We miss Oli's crowing dearly, but as with everything regarding that enigmatic Roo, it came with a price. I wish you well Oli, and may your new harem appreciate all the little things you have to offer, and overlook the ones that can be truly intimidating.
Next up: Deena and Snooki join our little flock, while Bonnie and Millie have at it.
