& then there was one

Yesterday a tree trimming & removal crew (that we have used before; they are great) was here, doing what they do.  We had the emus (& the other animals) contained but then Antonelle, the female emu did something we never expected.  She became so panicked while branches were being removed by Bobcat she pushed so hard she knocked the center board out of a three boards fence & ran out into the street.  One+ hour for me & two of the tree guys to get her contained, another hour for A & the same two guys to get her back in her yard.  She never recovered from the shock & died around 9:30 last night.

Yes, I am sorry.  I already miss her voice (she made a noise that sounds like the opening chords of These Boots Were Made For Walking...no, really.  The thrum-thrum-thrumming, not the tambourine.  CleoPatton, her mate is calm-ish as I type this.  The tree guys are back today & making as much noise as ever, but he never was as high strung as she was.  He is pacing, but showing no sign of doing himself equal damage.  What happens next is anyone's guess.  Emus are not wired for solitary living, but we really don't want another one. 

Poor Antonelle.  Up until 5:09 yesterday she had a very nice emu life & was happy & well cared for.  In the end, though, there was no reasoning with an 80lb animal with a brain the size of a chihuahua's.