blog

Sir Richard has been our teacher

Jul 22, 2025

Guest Post by Anna Butz
A rooster living on a farm sanctuary:
Nature’s alarm clock, greeter to all, teacher of bravery, commitment and loyalty, a fierce protector of his flock.

You know the feeling of…..
peace, calm, comfort, joy, alertness-slash-annoyance? All of which are how one might choose to begin or be in their day….

The “I am so happy to see you”- feel.”
That “first sip of your morning coffee as you watch the sun rise” -feel.
The “I’m so comfy under my covers I don’t want to get up for work” – feel.
The “seeing your favourite people (fur babies included) after a long day away” – feel.
And finally, that “interrupted by an alarm/notification/request reminder that there is much to life” – feel.

I have experienced those feels at Kindred Farm where a rooster named Richard lived.

Walking down the lane to the sanctuary. I inhale deeply filling my soul with peace, comfort and belonging. And, in that moment of filling my soul…..the world, the animals and myself are awakened by the chorus of Richard’s doddle-doos!!

A rooster who has been livingly know and called by many names. Obviously his given name, Richard. But also Ricky, Handsome Guy and Ricardo, the local cha-cha dance instructor…..IYKYK.

For some of us, it has taken a bit more time and patience to “get” his “rooster grove” and the steps to his Cha-Cha!

He has, whether you know it or not, greeted and welcomed your heart, connecting it to the hear beat of the farm.

He has been your teacher, helping you learn to pay attention, to discover differences, to be brave and lean into discomfort, accept challenges and be okay with repetition and change simultaneously in a course of seconds, hours or days. 

He has been your reminder to pause (many times over) to listen and connect to where and what you were doing in that moment.

What I think he would want us to know and love about him is this…..

He showed up. Everyday he got up and started his day. He greeted us all wearing his coat of many colours* his vibrant plumage and his doodle-doing! He wants us to know his assertive behaviour, his protective nature defending his flock against threat of danger was his job and he loved doing it. 

He lived his life to the fullest; knew he was misunderstood often, forgiving us and at the same time reminded us to be better. Or to go away.

Finally, he wants us to know and to remember He was the Protector of his Kindred Folk & flock; big and small!

Richard-Ricky-Handsome Guy-Ricardo, we saw you, loved you, feared you and accepted all of you!
RIP

“There is a beginning and an ending for everything and in between there is living.”
Lifetimes: The beautiful way to explain death to children by Bryan Mellonie  (Author), Robert Ingpen  (Illustrator)