Star is a duck. There’s no avoiding this reality—even booze can only take you so far. This is a hard lesson, but Star has learned it, courtesy of Maggie, who is a dog. A dog who reaffirmed what I am all too happy to describe as the “pecking order” in this story about a duck.
Star has had a drinking habit for some time now, joining Barrie Hayman, his owner, on jaunts to The Old Courthouse Inn for a pint. Star has always been a bit bold—strutting about in a bowtie, for example—but he recently took his act in a dangerous new direction, getting into a stare down with Maggie. Maggie the dog. Maggie, also owned by Hayman, has had enough of Star’s big talk.
“I’m your huckleberry,” said Maggie in the body language known only to animals, and pounced. As any duck in control of their wits will tell you, this was a bad situation for Star. Ducks simply do not challenge dogs.
From the Cheddar Valley Gazette:
They had a Mexican stand-off and stared each other out before the hound pounced—leaving the duck with his bottom beak split down the middle.
Star was rushed to an animal hospital and given anesthetics, leading to a few tense hours for Hayman, wondering whether his drunken buddy would pull through.
“Thankfully our Star is a tough cookie and it looks like he came out okay, not sure we came out quite as well.
“We had hours and hours of stress and waiting around. The vets are really pleased with his progress. He seems to be bouncing back nicely which is good.”
Maybe this is rock bottom for Star. Do they even have AA for ducks?