Pride and the death of Chanticleer

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18

(Tabby gets the credit for all photos in this post)

"The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), . . ." - Isaiah 2:12

Do the negative consequences of pride even effect animals?  Yes!  Our bossy, prideful rooster has learned that the hard way.  Chanticleer, the beautiful Buff Orpington who loved to be flattered, had gotten increasingly pushy, aggressive, and bossy to all the animals here.  He liked to chase Hunter too, and we all knew to never go outside without our high rubber boots on.  

Just this week he repeatedly attacked and bullied Knucklehead the hen.  Badly enough that Tabby kept having to stop him.  The rest of the hens he just pushed around as usual.  He often attacked Dixie, our German Shepherd/Collie.  Amazingly, Dixie just ducked down and submitted, except for once recently when my husband had to call her off the rooster.  Worst of all though, were the rooster's increasing attacks on Lucia, our Lab/Terrier.

Lucia is our big sweet dog that can not be trusted around chickens.  After she killed two, and did not respond to chicken discipline, we decided to just tie her on a long cable out in front of our house each morning until evening when the chickens all were secured in the coop.  (Lucia doesn't seem to mind at all - she's an older dog and was already spending most of her days sleeping on our front door mat on our porch.)  

 Chanticleer's attacks on Lucia had become more frequent and more vicious. Lucia would just be sitting there and then there suddenly was that loud rooster squawking and pecking her.  It wasn't right since Lucia couldn't even run that far to escape or defend herself.  I even had to grab a stick and whack Chanticleer to get him off Lucia a number of times. Lucia herself got a nice mouthful of tail feathers more than once.

We all warned Chanticleer many times that Lucia was going to get him and it would be all his fault.  He would deserve it.  We joked that his time was numbered.  Yes joked.  Though we really didn't want him to die.  He was doing a great job keeping the hens safe.  He was also a mighty snake slayer! And we all loved him going on walks with us, especially watching him jog.

Then it happened.

"Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, . . ." - Job 40:11

Frank was changing Solomon's diaper this morning at the changing table, and he looked out the window.  I heard him say heavily "oh no ..." 

"But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory." - Daniel 5:20

Tabby and I ran out the front door with Hunter close behind.  There was Lucia, surrounded by feathers and a dead Chanticleer.  Dixie was there too enjoying some feathers.  Tabby burst into tears crying that she loved Chanticleer.  Hunter was sad that Chanticleer wouldn't be able to go on walks with us anymore but did admit he would like to be able to go outside without worrying about rooster attacks.  I felt sad when Frank came out, handed me Solomon, and then went and picked up the limp rooster.  He sighed and said we needed an electric digging machine - all these animals he's been having to bury here lately in the rocky soil.

Good-bye Chanticleer.  You did a great job even though we thought you went overboard at times.  We especially liked your huge personality.  We all have commented many times today how much we miss hearing you crowing around the yard, and how funny it was that it seemed that no matter what window we were looking out, you were there, on patrol.

I think we can all learn a lesson from Chanticleer.  I don't think I'm the only one that struggles with pride at times.  Self-righteous pride is something that we should evaluate ourselves for, and root out and repent of any that we find.  We should not take credit for things that God accomplished nor think too highly of ourselves.  We need to be careful not to become so prideful that we are blind to dangers in life.  Like Chanticleer did.

"Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." - Proverbs 16:19

Let us be thankful to God for what He has allowed us to accomplish!  :)

"Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor." - Proverbs 29:23


All is quiet in the chicken coop tonight. I wonder if the hens are wondering where their fearless, prideful leader is.