Recently my pet Rooster went missing from my parents backyard and the side gate was found mysteriously ajar. Perhaps the wind blew the gate open and rooster set off and got lost. Hoping that I would come looking for him and to bring him home safely. Perhaps picked up by another neighbor and brought home, or by animal control. However, I suspect foul play.
Their next door neighbors called the Sacramento county back in 2000 to complain about the rooster, hoping that we weren't zoned to have 'live-stock' on our property. We then received a 'Violation' notice and a representative to our door saying that he was going to take them if we didn't get rid of all our chickens. When I called to check myself, the zoning department told me that we were 100% legal to have a rooster on
our property. Apparently they didn't read their own rule book before hand. I called the guy who came to our door and quoted him the law that allowed us to keep the rooster, and he was like "uh...you're right, sorry". I then wrote a letter to our neighbors explaining to them the situation, quoted the zoning law that said it was legal for us to have chickens/a rooster. I thought it was over at that point. I was wrong.
In 2005 they tried again. They called the Sacramento County Zoning, and again we got a Violation notice, along with a guy coming to our door saying to get rid of them or he would take them. And again, we had to remind them that we were legal and they needed to take a hike. I can forgive once not reading their own manual before sending violation notices, but to do it twice? Common! Just goes to show you, do your own homework, it is quite possible the notice you get is an ERROR, due to not checking to see if you meet the 'qualifications'. But it didn't end there either.
In 2006 our neighbors called again. This time they got the Sacramento Channel 3 Problem Solvers to get the Sacramento County to get off their butts and to get rid of the rooster once and for all. Well, this time, the county did their homework, and said "this is ridicules, this is a closed case, wont be open ever again, they are legal to have the rooster" -not a direct quote. I don't think that was the out come the neighbors where looking for. The irony about it is, our neighbors never ONCE called us, wrote us, or came over to talk to us about their 'complaint' in all the nine years. They just went straight to the law enforcement. If they had actually come over to talk to us like neighbors who respect each other or like adults, perhaps things would have gone differently. Perhaps we could have made a compromise and met somewhere in the middle.
Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident with these people. It's been an on
going battle (strictly on their side, and us defending ourselves) with one issue or another. So, with all that history said, my point is I honestly believe that my parents neighbor saw an opportunity and entered (broken-in) our back yard and took matters into their own hands. Which of course is illegal and punishable to 20 years jail time and thousands of dollars in fines...but never mind that. It wouldn't be neighborly of us to suspect or accuse them.
I received the rooster nine years ago from my sister as a birthday present. He was one of two roosters that I received. I have had, I think, 15 chickens and a Duck over the past 15 or so years and they have all been killed by one thing or another. I am really heart broken that my Rooster has just disappeared. What hurts the most is not that he may have died, but not knowing what happened. Not knowing where he is, or if someone killed him. Being physically unable to take care of things myself has been very difficult for me emotionally. I do appreciated the support and encouragement I received from those who gave it.
YEA! New visitors! Mary-Frances and I have been looking forward to this visit since it was mentioned that it was coming four months ago. The Ang family came up to visit us all the way from Arizona. They arrived Tuesday Night for dinner. I made them one of our favorite dinners, Croissant Tacos. There was just enough for everyone. Luckily for me they all seemed to really like it. During our dinner conversation we happened to mention that we had a pool. That was all the kids had to hear, before their swim suits were on and we were out the door. The kids swam till the pool was closed. 
Wednesday, I went into work that morning and asked for the day off. Since we were totally slow at the moment it was OK'd and I got to go home. Mary also got the time off but it wasn't as easy with her.
Then we drove them to 3D Blacklight, Pirate, Mini-Golf. They had a blast. Played nine holes; Ron (brother-inlaw) was the winner. The 3D glasses did hurt the eyes if we wore them too long, but it was a trippy effect. At the last hole we got tons of winning tickets and all the kids got a little toy at the exchange counter, similar to Chuck-E-Cheese. Ron and Candi really enjoyed Oregon so much that they are thinking about moving here. If all their ducks are lined up that is. The girls helped Mary make dinner, then played catch phrase, mad gab and halo. They left the following morning as they still had plenty of sights to see for their vacation.
