Sometimes, life surprises us in the most heartwarming ways. One day, Riyadh Khalaf from BBC Morning Live found an abandoned egg and decided to take it home.
When the egg finally hatched, a tiny duckling named Spike came into his life. Spike quickly became special to Khalaf, capturing both his and his followers' hearts.
One day, Riyadh Khalaf from BBC Morning Live came across a mysterious egg that had been left behind by its mother
Image credits: riyadhk
Image credits: riyadhk
"I felt a presence and a weird paternal bond almost straight away. It sounded silly saying or even thinking it, but what an underestimation that turned out to be," Khalaf wrote on Instagram.
He brought the egg home, placed it in an incubator, and eagerly waited for it to hatch
Image credits: riyadhk
When the egg eventually hatched, a tiny duckling, soon named Spike, came into the world
Image credits: riyadhk
Khalaf paid close attention to Spike, making sure the duckling had everything it needed
Image credits: riyadhk
"I’ve learned more about duck biology than I ever thought I could and it’s been fascinating. I’m beginning to believe more and more that my hyperfocus and obsession with him (because of my ADHD) is really turning out to be a gorgeous symbiosis between us. He is my daily purpose, centering, joyful mindfulness and he gets to hopefully flourish as a result!"
He built a cozy home for him, which he fondly named "Duckingham Palace," ensuring the duckling had a safe and comfortable space to grow
Image credits: riyadhk
Teaching Spike how to eat and swim was a challenge, but Khalaf came up with creative solutions, using mirrors and a plush duck to show Spike the way
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Khalaf plans to take Spike to an animal rehabilitation center so the duckling can learn to be a duck and join a flock
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"Each day that passes I’m realising how much closer we’re drawing to the big goodbye. Beginning to feel it in my heart and the pit of my stomach. I’ll be ok with time, cuddles with my cats, friends, and junk food!"
Although it will be hard to say goodbye, Khalaf understands that it's the right decision
Image credits: riyadhk
"Every day while gazing at him it still amazes me that such a complex, intelligent, beautiful little life could have sprung out of that abandoned egg. Nature is incredible"
Image credits: riyadhk