The neighborhood fox made an appearance yesterday. When the hens put up a fuss the twins called me to chase her away. We were all on alert for the next couple of hours, wondering if she would venture back. The vixen would be the death of as many hens as she could get her teeth into. And I was determined to not let that happen. 

Because of all that I did not let the chickens out for a late afternoon romp, and they were displeased. I tossed in a few handfuls of scratch as a peace offering, and Hagrid took the opportunity to bolt between my legs. She is near the bottom of the pecking order and is therefore special to me. Hagrid is last to get to eat, and perches at night as far from the flock as she can get. I let her graze for a few minutes before inviting her back into the coop. To prevent the others from escaping I slammed the door behind her. That was my mistake. 

It breaks my heart that she did not let out a yelp. I suppose she has been pecked so often the reflex has ceased to exist. The door closed on her foot but I did not know it. 

Fifteen minutes later I went out to hurry them up the ramp to bed and was horrified to see Hagrid sprawled on the floor with two guilty looking sisters nearby. I scooped her up in my arms and let out a shriek to see her bloodied head where she had been mercilessly bitten. Not like the fox, to feed her kits. Just for spite. 

The twins and I made a soft nest for her in the entryway, near the heat lamp which is warming the three Silkie chicks, yet not too close to the incubator with its three hopeful eggs. We pampered her with her favorite nibbles, and put antibiotic ointment on her wound. Hope held her for a long time. 

There are dangers in our world that can hurt us. Putting up barriers to keep our families safe makes sense. But sometimes the greatest pain comes from those we live with, people who are supposed to belong to us. 

It frightens me that I am willing to make biting comments to John, when I would curb my remarks if he were an acquaintance.  A husband told me that sometimes he is afraid to go home, because of the criticism. He does not feel welcome there. 

I am determined not to let that happen in our house.