Barnyard Buddies

Long winter days spent in the close proximity of another may do one of two things: drive the other person crazy or forge friendships.Take Alfred and Abby for example. From outward appearances you would think they have nothing in common. She has four long legs and he has short stubby ones and tends to waddle when he walks. But they seem to speak the same language and haven't tired of one another's company.

My brother-in-law David, who owns Abby the chocolate lab and has more or less adopted Alfred the lone Pekin duck, said a winter spent together in the shed cemented the friendship between the odd couple. In fact, the two seem inseparable with Alfred standing guard 24:7 on the perimeter of Abby's pen.

Over two years ago, Alfred and his brothers and sisters were props for Easter photos shot at a local studio by David's daughter. When the little flock was no longer photogenic (nor cute and fuzzy anymore), they migrated down the driveway to the creek. Unfortunately a hungry coyote must have had the same idea and left Alfred the lone survivor without a friend in the world - that is until he spent last winter conversing with the dog.

David said the duck (who is notably slower than his canine friend) tries to follow Abby everywhere, even on a stroll out to the freshly tilled fields to look for arrowheads last spring. By the time David and Abby were ready to head for home, there was Alfred, making his way among the clods of dirt. Being the tenderheart that he is, David gave the tenacious duck a lift home.