I almost can’t write this because the Emerys (emus) have gone. Long story short, Son put the hose into their water trough last night and didn’t clip the gate shut properly. I was devastated until I found them (the relief!) in the paddock next to ours. But herding them back didn’t work and I spent a few hours trying, in the car and on foot. It’s not that they didn’t want to go back home; they just couldn’t figure out how to get through the barbed wire fences and electric fences surrounding the farm block. They were cheeping with relief when I walked up to them and I patted them all and tried to coerce them into going through the fence space. Eventually, I picked one of my Emerys up and tossed him into our paddock, thinking the others would follow but, when he didn’t get up, the other three ran away again. The congregation of crows didn’t help; they were everywhere. I clambered through the fence to get Emery up but, no matter how many times I got him to his feet again, he just kept falling back down….
The story doesn’t have a happy ending and, once again, I have lost out. Husband (staying home for an extra night) just gave me a hug and said he’d get me some more emus but that just made me sob more. I am stupid, stupid, stupid and the emus are gone, gone, gone.
And I had just gotten the emu walking routine down to a fine art.
And they’d stopped wandering so far.
And everything was great with Husband home and Son getting better.
And I’d cooked a great dinner.
I can’t quite get my head around the fact that I found the Emerys but lost them again – that just seems too cruel. Maybe they will come back?
jmgoyder 
Julie, I am so sorry! Can you see where it is that they got through to the paddock next door? If you can, then why not put an incentive out for them so they WANT to go back the way they came? You’ve told us before how much they love lettuce. Just a thought…
~ Lynda
Tried all that – then it started getting dark. I had to give up.
I feel your pain… I just read your latest post and I know how much it really hurts. I stepped on one of my goslings last year. It was a very sad ending too. I think somehow we can take it a bit better when it is another critter that takes them, sort of like “Well that’s natures way,” but when WE hurt them it is just pitiful. We do get over it I suppose, but for me I still get creeped out about it sometimes still. I’m glad the Emerys are able to fend for themselves at least. ~ L
Plus I just don’t get it. The emu farmer just picked them up by their strong necks and hoisted them into the yard on delivery and they were fine (well except for one but that was nothing to do with his handling of it). I was much gentler yesterday but somehow still injured him. Yes, it certainly is a dreadful feeling and then, because Son is still unable to do much but was trying to help I had to get his friend who was visiting to go put the Emery down. I so understand how you felt about your gosling.
Oh Jules. I cannot even click like on this post. I am so sorry honey. Hugs hugs,. My heart is breaking into pieces for you.
I believe they will come back, and have only gone on a walk about.
I have a new attitude to it this morning (sort of!)
Hi,
I am so sorry to hear about the emus, very sad indeed.
Thanks magsx2.
Awwww. I’m so sorry that things worked out this way, but just maybe they will find their way back? The one in this photo is gorgeous.
It’s nice that your husband had an opportunity to show his compassion for you and could offer his help. I’ll bet that son is feeling awful. As horrible as the situation is, they both get to console you for a change.
Life is twists and turns.
I do hope they come home.
Thanks Flora and you are so right about the twists and turns! Julie
Sorry to hear this news Julie,
I know how much they meant to you.
(As I am so far behind in emails & posts, hopefully they will have come back by the time I catch up to your latest post).
Thanks Vicki – they are definitely gone and I have adjusted.
You are very kind to respond to my posts so please ignore them when I overdo it!
Keep on keeping on!
Juliexxx
Hmm, I read the other post first. Maybe they will come back. I do know that birds tend to stay in a one mile radius for the first month when they’re lost so maybe take another drive around, early morning is supposed to be the best time to find a lost bird(s).
Yeah, I did drive around but they’re not like other birds – they can run several kilometre very fast. They’re gone. I’ve accepted it.
Well, I just read up on them and I think they will be fine. They are in their native land and they are sturdy birds from what I read. Who knows, they may come back some day for a visit. 🙂
You are so kind. Yes, they will be okay. Thanks dd