I just can’t believe it…I just can’t believe it.. I just can’t believe it. I had already said "Goodbye" to her. I was sure she was gone forever, gone 5 days, 2 days in a very nasty blizzard, -25 wind chill…I was sure I’d never see her again. She had died.
Pretty tough bird. Now I know what happened to her. Now I believe in miracles.
At night, 3/7/09 around 8:00pm, she was attacked IN the aviary by an animal (Cat I presume). She managed to escape and flew two blocks in the dark and spotted an open garage door with the lights on inside…she flew inside and landed up on a shelf. The Husband came out to close the door for the night and spotted her.
He chased her out but she flew right back in and back on the shelf again. His wife and twin 8 yr old girls came out and again they chased her out and she flew back in again. Then they realized she was bleeding and badly injured. The Husband simply reached up and put his hands around her and she didn’t resist. They took her in and cared for her then took her to an all-night Animal Emergency Hospital about 10pm (about 2 miles away).
The animal hospital stitched up a half inch puncture wound in her chest and shaved all the feathers off her back and under her wings and on her chest, then stitched up two long gashes in her back. She was x-rayed and limping but had no broken bones. Today 3/12/09 she is still limping badly, but in time I’m sure she’ll be fine.
Three days later the animal hospital brought her to the Humane Society where, to my amazement, I found her Yesterday.
The entire staff of 6 and a few customers huddled around and we were all misty eyed and sniffling as I thanked them and took her home.
All her life she had never flown out of the back yard. She and 2.5 are the best of friends and they always stay in the yard.
This video is one of the reasons I love her.
For years I didn’t close the aviary door at night but then a year ago I started to have some trouble. Over a few weeks, 4 pigeons killed or missing. Then I saw a cat lurking around and tried to trap it..no luck. So that’s when I began to close the aviary door every night. Now, for nearly a year, that cat has not been around. Since no cats were around and it was still cold, I decided to leave the door open like I always used to. The next day, Velcro was missing. I was hoping she had just gotten lost and would return but for days, she didn’t, I waited and waited. I tried to find her body in the yard. I began to put up posters. The Humane Society is many many miles from us so I didn’t check there until yesterday… and I was still hoping she’d return.
But she is now home and I’m typing this with one hand because she is sleeping on my arm. It’s nice to have the family back together again.
And now (a few days later) I have more good news. I have the sweetest video of Velcro... and related events... will post soon.
Update - Part 2, the reunion
= = = = = =
Doctors (Vet) report below:
Emergency clinic report (excerpts).
Pigeon with ID on Left foot MFRG 2008 785
Physical exam
Stable, alert, tame and interested in eating. Ambulatory with pain on left leg, not fully weight bearing. Physical Exam does not reveal source of pain, but could be related to the two large sores on her body: Dorsal gaping 2cm wound with necrotic tissue, and latero-ventral left side – scar. Suspect animal bite injury, Radiograph did not reveal shot in body. Affected leg can grip finger, She can perch and walk around cage, is flighted but not flying around room area. VERY GENTLE.
Q/A – Stray pigeon with skin injuries and left leg grade 1-2/4 lamb.
P – Clean wounds, provide warmth, food and analgesia/abx.
Enrogloxacin 3.24 mg BID IM – 22.7mg/ml" 3.24mg (0.14cc)Imkx
Meloxicam .0.0325 mg PO QID
Isofluane mask – Primary wound on left body wall and secondary V shaped flap right body – makes bite wound suspect. Debrided skin edges and removed contaminated/discolored tissue. Flushed well. Closed skin with a 4-0 vicryl in interrupted fashion and cut tags short as they will fall out with time.
Pigeon doing well, Will bring to Humane Society.
= = = = =
OMG... I could cry. This is such a happy ending. I can't believe it! What wonderful people to have cared for Velcro in such a humane way. She really is your girl!!
ReplyDeleteOk- I AM crying
ReplyDeleteI just love this! Amazing.
ReplyDeleteSwag -
ReplyDeleteshan -
I've been crying for 5 days... and I still am... I'm so happy to have her back. I still can't believe it. She's here in my office with me still sleeping on my arm... I keep hugging her. Her companion 2.5 doesn't know she's back yet.
2.5 is still in the aviary very depressed. She will be SO excited. I'm going to try to video their reunion.
THe people at the Humane society were crying too when I left with her.
Such an incredible real-life reunion.
ReplyDeleteYou know what they say about soulmates Bert- they will find find each other.
ReplyDeleteSwag - I still keep looking at her, not believing she's really back.
ReplyDeleteshan - Ya, she and I have really bonded... but then she's a very sweet bird to begin with.
I'm SO glad Velcro's home Bert! Yay for everyone involved in her rescue and care! Well done people!
ReplyDeletePlanet - I'm a planning commissioner with the City and just a few weeks ago the Animal Emergency Hospital was before us for approval of a brand new 1.5 million $$ facility. We easily approved it. They are currently in a small mall which will soon be torn down.
ReplyDeleteYou can be sure they and the Humane society will get a nice donation from me. I'm meeting with the family that took her in, next week. I'm bringing them a gift too.
That certain was a welcomed story Bert. I know how happy you must be. If something happened to my merry band it would kill me. I have to expect it thought, the oldest pup just turned 17 years old. You heart can really go out to our friends. They are family. I'm very happy for you Bert. Let us know how the reunion goes.
ReplyDeleteI know how much you must have worried about her when she couldn't be found, and to search your yard for her body... not knowing whether she was alive or dead. You must have been heart sick.
ReplyDeleteThe people who helped her sure were swell. And her tenacity about flying back into their garage over and over was like Velcro was telling them she needed help so she could get back home.
I'm so glad Velcro's adventure ended well, and I bet 2.5 will be as happy to see her again as you were. I guess from now on the door to the aviary will be closed every night (better make sure there isn't a cat in there when you close the door!!)
It's amazing how attached you can get to animals. They become part of you.
ReplyDeleteTexas - 17... wow, your pup has been very fortunate. About a year ago we lost our 12yr old German Shepherd Diesel.. and I haven't been able to blog about it even yet, so sad. Maybe sometime. He was my hero. An amazing animal.
I hope your pup still has many more good years to come.
recon - For some reason... I had a serious headache the entire time she was gone. Yes, the worst part is not knowing if you should hope for her return or acknowledge that she's gone. I'm so thankful that the people who found her took care of her.. and of course the hospital and Humane society too.
....I'm planning to build an entry that will allow the birds entry and exit but will stop a cat. I'll blog about it when I get it built. I've got plans, I may patent it ? Now if I could just keep the squirrels out of the pigeon food dish. (I may have a plan for that too.. a bit more tricky).
What a great story, Bert. As another one who is indelibly attached to the "kids", I know how hard I would search for any one of them. Good for you for never giving up, and good for Velcro for her stamina!
ReplyDeleteLovely story! What a nice way to start my weekend! :D
ReplyDeleteCats are very very sneaky. Maybe get an army of mice to patrol the area? :D
oh Bert...I am so glad you found her!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, a miracle, what have you! A brilliant read. Who says truth is stranger than fiction? Eh? I was told once that Mark Twain coined the phrase. He was so right on. 'Cause it is!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved the video too. Thanks
awww, she is beautiful and I am so glad she came home again.
ReplyDeleteThat is a tear of happiness from me that she is back home with you. Amazing story!
ReplyDeleteRustic - I figured it would be a miracle if I ever saw her again.. and that's what it was.
ReplyDeletepandora - Good way to start my weekend too. Cats have an advantage in the dark. I'm building a cat-proof door. The mice are of no help.. just eat the pigeon food and get fat.
Vee - Me too... and she seems to be very happy to be here too... in good spirits.
catfish - I had so totally given up that she was still alive. A nasty blizzard for 2 days, way below 0F, -18C so if she had survived an attack I thought the cold would kill her... not used to being outside.
iriani - Isn't she beautiful? And her personality too. I thought it was impossible that I'd see her again.
lois - There were a few tears here too, before, during and after. She's sitting here now, very content.
She is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh Bert! What an amazing story! You are SO lucky the people who found her thought enough about her to take her to the vet! I am SO happy for you!
ReplyDeleteOh you are so lucky she is safely back with you. I have not been feeling well so I haven't been here but I do get to follow what goes on in my e-mails. I am so glad that she is safe now. An Amazing story!
ReplyDeleteiriani - We went to a pigeon show last fall and there are some amazingly beautiful birds. So gorgeous I wanted to take them all home.
ReplyDeletelove2 - The people who found her... their two young girls fell in love with Velcro and wanted to keep her, I'm so glad they didn't.
freya - She is still here in my office with me and she's doing great... and me too now.
Aw, Bert!! That's AWESOME! I'm so happy for you (and her)! *grins*
ReplyDeleteomg, Bert what a story!!! You are so blessed to have such wonderful connection with these birds. and its obvious that they love you.....I am so happy that she survived and those people were so kind as to take her to a clinic,,,,,WOW...still so many Good people left ;in this world...and oh I had such a wonderful ride on Belle today....one of those "Being One" with my horse......such magic,,,,,to be found in the eyes of a 1200 lb. animal that only wants to be loved....yehi for Velcro
ReplyDeleteGosh, how heart-rending her disappearance must have been. I don't wish that on anyone. I'm so glad you got her home again, Bert. That family that helped her... would that there are more people like that out there, but then, as you said, she's a special bird : )
ReplyDeleteTo all - We just got back from a weekend trip. I wanted her wounds to heal better before letting her back in the aviary and I had nowhere to leave her, so we took her with...first time in a small cage and first time in a car. She was a perfect traveler. So calm and content. Now we're back and she is just having a wonderful time flying around my office. A very happy bird... and Bert happy too.
ReplyDeleteMythicalU - I was just shocked when I saw her at the Humane Society... I didn't believe it was possible... so many lucky breaks in a row...that I found her.
equine - It's a nice feeling to know that a bird (any animal) truly likes you and wants to be near you. The family..the two 8yr twin girls that found her just loved her and wanted to keep her. I'm so glad they took her to the hospital. 18oz animal, 1,200# animal, I always wondered why they bother with humans?
tint - I had a serious headache the entire time she was gone...very upset. Now she's flying around and is SO happy to be back. I'm so grateful to all the people that helped her live.
Well shoot. Tint sent me here for a feel-good story first thing in the morning. She didn't warn me that I was going to cry! Beautiful bird, beautiful story. Congratulations, Bert! I'm so glad you have her back with you.
ReplyDeletegemi - A lot of people were sniffling, me too (OK, I cried). I still look at her and can't believe she's still here and alive. She is more affectionate than ever now and it's clear she's happy to be back too. She falls asleep in my arms.
ReplyDeleteThe even better part is... I reunited Velcro with her partner 2.5 (Also female) this morning. 2.5 was the most excited ecstatic joyful creature on the planet. Those are two very very very happy birds. I took video and in a few days will post it. First Velcro and I are going to visit the 8yr twin girls who helped rescue her and also the Vet, and I'll post that too. The 2 girls fell in love with Velcro too.
That is absolutely awesome, Bert! I pretty much love all animals, but I know how I felt when my great dane went missing (twice - turns out the guy I was renting a room from was letting him go .. grrrrr) and the INTENSE relief I felt when he was back. I'm not sure I've ever cried so much. I couldn't be happier for you and 2.5 (great name .. ha) So sweet to see them so happy to be back together. Isn't it interesting that animals just have an innate sense to find themselves someone they KNOW is going to help them, when they're hurt? Lucaya (my dane) did exactly that! First time, he collapsed at the gate to a dog/cat rescue and second time, he went to my ex (thank goodness because the SECOND time that bastard had removed Luc's collar so he couldn't be returned easily). Animals just seem to know! This is just the sweetest story. :)
ReplyDeletegemi - Ya, I have a farm (live in town right now) and I had 1,000+ animals there.
ReplyDeleteYou may be interested it this too.
http://bertthemensachicken.multiply.com/journal/item/175/Birds_are_people_too_just_smaller._
I have a tame parrot who was "married" to another parrot we had for 18 years. The spouse died and I worried that I would lose Bernie too...but almost two years later she is still with us. In your update blog you mentioned that 2.5 and Velcro are both females - we know that suzie, the deceased parrot was female because she laid eggs, but we don't know about Bernie...my roundabout comment is...the whole mating behavior...they used to do that. Now Bernie attempts it with my husband...she adores him....They're like flying kids....really. I'm so glad you got Velcro back.
ReplyDeleteJust dropped by to show this story to my husband. We really enjoyed the story and video (3rd time for me). Sending hugs!
ReplyDeleteSwag - Aw thanks... means a lot to me. I can fully understand peoples reaction.. "Just Pigeons"? I've had many Pigeons, but Velcro is so much more than a Pigeon. She follows me where ever I go in the back yard... She always seems so excited when I open the door and call to her... flys to the house immediately and is very anxious to be let in the house. Where ever we are, she follows. She seems the happiest and content when she's on my arm sleeping.
ReplyDelete... Funny story (well not really "funny")... Hadn't had her too long and Karen was in the kitchen making a great dinner. Had chopped up a ham in small pieces/slices and carefully fried them a bit crispy to add to (whatever it was?)... so Velcro flew into the kitchen (that is discouraged). I went to retrieve Velcro and she decided to fly down and check out the ham... walked right thru the middle of the plate of hot ham. We nearly had Squab for dinner instead. Actually I believe we ended up with TV dinners? But... Karen still likes Velcro.
... She's doing very well now (Velcro..well Karen too) and her wounds are nearly totally healed.
Coyote - I can understand... I'm sure parrots have more of a human-like personality.
(Sorry for the delay... I was in the hospital, but fine now). It always amazes me how each bird has such a distinct personality... just like people. Velcro and 2.5 have built a nest and have an egg (2.5's?) but they act like doting parents.They don't seem to care that it won't hatch. Hmm, I wonder if I could put a baby chicken in there?