One by One

“Have you seen Dog, have you heard?”

“Of Pig’s litter?”

“No, no, that the farmer is sending the chickens to slaughter.”

“It’s only the roosters and hens that no longer lay. If you cannot contribute to the farm, you must go, such is the way of things.”

“But that’s horrendous! You and I shall expire of our usefulness one day too.”

“Don’t be daft, all farmers need a good dog and cat.”

~*~

“Weather is dreary today, is it not?”

“You know I detest the rain.”

“What news of the farm’s affairs do you have today, Cat?”

“The farmer has sent Cow for slaughter. Claims she is too old.”

“Indeed, what good is a dry dairy cow? The farmer must make hard choices. We cannot fault him for that. We should be thankful he is willing to prioritize the farm’s needs and do what must be done. Stop now, I see how your tail twitches.”

“But, it scares me. How horrendous is a farm that lacks the empathy we all need in age? I wondered over to the Miller’s farm and talked to their cat. She said their cows are retired to pastures to spend the last of their days relaxing. Death decides when they should go.”

“Well that sounds expensive. Would you have our feed and hay wasted on the upkeep of someone who does not contribute?”

“But Cow paid her dues through years of support.”

“She was fed and sheltered through those years.”

“Did you not benefit from her milk?”

“Sure, and she from my protection. And now we will all benefit from her meat.”

~*~

“Why do you look so sullen?”

“Pig's litter… Farmer sold it all.”

“That’s why Pig was allowed to have them. Pig’s babes bring in money for the farm.”

“But they were such little babes, hardly six weeks old. Pig is in the barn crying of heartbreak.”

“It will pass. Should I have been a bitch and had pups, farmer would do the same.”

“What will become of the babes?”

“Some will be like Pig, and spend days eating scraps and bearing piglets. Others will be fattened up to eat.”

“To eat?! Oh, poor Pig. I understand why she is so sullen. To loose them so young and know their fate.”

“Rest easy, you’ll have no kittens to be mournful of.”

~*~

“Dog, dog, quickly wake up. I was walking in the sheep pasture, past the old barn, and beheld the most miserable sight.”

“What is it?! Are the coyotes returned? Should I depart at once?”

“Easy dog, the deed is long done. I talked to the ram. The farmer, he… The sheep were sheered and many slain. It is terribly tragic, the pasture is stained in wool and red. I have not claimed an ounce of sleep.”

“Ahaha, oh silly Cat, this is normal. The farmer culls the heard every year. Why, I help him sort and round the flock.”

“You helped with this?”

“Don’t hiss at me. If the herd is not culled, there will be too many sheep for the pasture. As the dog, it is my job to assist farmer.”

“How can you wag your tail at such a thing? You and I shall be next one day, I just know.”

“Cat, do you not chase away the rats as you are told?”

“I do.”

“Then you shall be fine. I have never seen farmer kill a cat. Or eat one for that matter.”

“What if I grow too slow? What if the rats become too many?”

“Then farmer will get another cat and you shall learn to share. Now go to bed cat.”

~*~

“What are you doing at the fence line at this hour?”

“Quiet! Stop barking. If the other animals ask, you did not see me.”

“Sure, but where are you going? It is late to be visiting the Miller’s cat.”

“I am fleeing. The Miller’s cat said there is room for me on another farm, one many hours past her own. She promised they would welcome me. She is kind enough to escort me there.”

“Fleeing? What is this nonsense? Have you lost your mind?”

“The farmer has come for the animals, one by one. Who knows when it will be us he takes? I cannot stay here Dog, it is dangerous. You should loose your collar and run as well.”

“But you and I are not livestock! We are better than the others, special. Farmer will never send us to slaughter. You are being foolish.”

“No! You are blind dog. Even should the farmer never come for me, I cannot stay on a farm where cruelty is part of life. The pain of the other animals hurts as if it is my own. I feel miserable for leaving them, but the farmer cannot be reasoned with. I don’t think he even understands us.”

“….. Very well, if you’ve decided. I shall miss you terribly.”

“And I you… Please, stay safe.”

“Farewell my friend.”

~*~

“Ehhheeehhh, Dog, why do you cower in my stall? You must leave at once.”

“Please Horse, let me stay. At least until the farmer’s temper passes.”

“What did you do?”

“Tell me horse, you have been here the longest of any animal, has the farmer ever shot a dog?”

“Eehhheeehhee, many. His own and strays. Are you worried he will shoot you?”

“I made a terrible mistake. Just terrible. But it was an accident.”

“Sure, sure. It always is. But what was it?”

“You see, one of the hens angered me. She was carrying on, clucking at me and name calling.”

“The brooding hens throw quite a fit. Go on…”

“Well you see… I chased and lunged at her as a threat. I didn’t mean it. I just wanted her to stop her clucking.”

“You killed a chicken!”

“No, the hen is fine, stop shouting. Careful where you step!”

“Well, then what is the problem? If you didn’t kill the chicken, you have nothing to worry over.”

“But, the farmer saw. He saw me do it and he said to himself, ‘Can’t have a dog chasing chickens’. Then he went inside. What does that mean Horse? I’m worried.”

“Ah, that’s unfortunate Dog. I liked you better than the last.”

“But I didn’t mean it.”

“There’s no reasoning with the farmer. There’s also no running. Leave my stall and face what is next, just as the others had to.”

“But, I am fast. Perhaps I can find the farm Cat went to.”

“No dog is faster than a gun.”

“I hear the house door opening… Oh Horse, I am scared. Please, harbor me until he returns inside. He won’t look here if you are quiet.”

“Dog, I am truly sorry you must greet the earth, but I cannot harbor you.”

“But I am a good dog!”

“Did you not help the farmer round up the sheep? Did you not bark at Pig when she cried too long? Did you not laugh when the turkeys were served for Thanksgiving? Does it only matter when it is your turn? You have waited too late to decide you do not like the way of the farm.”

“Oh, please, please, this is not fair.”

“The farmer makes cruel choices, and sadly there are no exceptions.”

“Rex! Rex! Come here Rex!”

“Go now, the farmer is calling you.”