We euthanized the wild turkey girl today. She had been shot. The vet thought she'd been shot well over a week ago and probably wandered too close to the road. I'm thankful to be the one who found her (and a little surprised she wasn't killed by a predator sooner). I held her as she died.

It saddens me someone saw her as nothing more than a trophy hunt, a beautiful creature degraded to "meat". It saddens me more that so many people drove by her while she suffered. But I'm glad it was me, I'm glad I was so close to work, and I'm glad we gave her a chance to recuperate. It just wasn't meant to be.

While being considerate of those on my flist who may feel differently, I must admit I do not comprehend the joy, thrill or excitement of hunting. Not when I have to see an animal suffer so much. She didn't deserve that.