Conference 7.286::pet_birds

270.0. "A BIRD CALLED "DOVEE"" by SVCRUS::BUCCIERI () Wed Oct 04 1989 09:50

    On a very hot day in July while my wife was catching some rays on
    the back deck a white feathered creature fluttered down beside her.
    My wife beckoned me to the deck where there sat a white bird that
    looked much like a dove.  He appeared to be very tired and didn't
    seem too willing to fly away as he was approached.  We set out some
    food and water from our caged bird supply and he ate and ate and
    ate.  After an hour or so of rest he flew away.  The following 
    morning he was back and we fed him once again.  It appeared that
    we had adopted a wild bird and we began to call hi "Dovee".  Dovee
    liked the quality of the food and service so well that he began
    to bring his friends.  Every morning over the last few months Dovee
    and twelve mourning doves consumed the day old seed that our caged
    birds had enjoyed.  We would look for Dovee every morning and it
    was somewhat satisfying when he came back.  We went away last
    weekend and returned Sunday afternoon.  While I was relaxing 
    in the living room, I happened to look out the window and saw
    Dovee in the driveway.  I alerted my wife that Dovee was back but
    I got the feeling that something wasn't right.  I went out to
    check on Dovee and he didn't try too hard to run or fly away.  He
    seemed to be favoring his left side.  I picked him up, feeling 
    confident that whatever was wrong could be corrected as I have 
    done so many times before.  His wings were fine as were his feet.
    When Ii turned him over however, I noticed that he had a chest
    wound on his left side.  The wound did not look too serious and
    I decided to give him a safe place to rest for the evening.
    I called the vet on the following day and explained the situation.
    The vet gave me some direction and advise on what to check for.
    I inspected the wound further and decided that Dovee did need 
    immediate attention.  We took Dovee to the vet and all attempts
    to save him failed.  
    
    I cannot say how Dovee got wounded, maybe a cat, bird of prey, human
    induced .... but I do know that he will be missed.  I know that
    I will seek immediate medical attenion for any wild animal that
    I have the pleasure of becoming acquainted with in the future. 
    I know that I will always think of Dovee when his friends come to
    visit each day.  Stories like this remind us all of just how 
    fragile life really is for animal and man.
    
    Jim Buccieri

    Jim,
    
    A warm, touching story.  So sorry to hear about the loss. Thanks
    for sharing it with us.
    
    Denise

    Jim,
    
    Your story brought back a painful memory of having a fragile white
    canary hen who slipped away in less than 24 hours....after calling
    the vet with the symptoms, feeling like I was overreacting, doing
    everything he said, and having her die anyway, in my hands, in 
    front of my eyes, after staying with her and putting droplets of
    water at the edge of her beak to try to keep her from dehydration.
    I still wonder if I could have done something, anything, faster,
    better, smarter before she slipped over the edge.  
    
    Thank you for sharing your story. I am reminded that it *is* worth the 
    effort to try to help, and when it is not enough, to try again anyway.
    I trust there are at least a balancing number of "miracle" stories
    out there for all the stories that do not have a happy ending. 
    
    	   				Linda Compton