Rescue Rover

Linda Fortune
Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent FelineThe bird’s outcome.

Welcome,

Upon returning home, I immediately got back into the canning of pears. It felt good to turn my attention to the physical process of canning. Still, I carried a concern for the condition of the little bird while, at the same time, feeling some relief in knowing she was where she needed to be.

About two hours into the canning process, I got a call. Here was the receptionist again in her very personal and caring manner. She said she wanted to call rather then send a card. Her sensitivity to me was showing. She knew I really cared about the bird!

She shared the results of the examination. The little bird did have puncture wounds and that confirmed that she had had an encounter with a cat. She also had fractures in the ‘bones’ across her chest that govern her wings and, of course, her wing feathers were badly damaged. Eventually tail feathers could grow out but, with the severity of her other wounds, it was deemed that any kind of a recovery would take months and she would still never be able to fly again. With these results, it was deemed more humane to stop her suffering and to put her to sleep.

I understood the severity of the injuries and was not surprised by the conclusion. I rested in knowing that I had done all I could and was comforted in knowing that she had been in the presence of a sacred chant just before her transition. Silly as that may sound to some; I know the benefit she received from that.

Postscript: The following Monday I had a friend over for lunch and we were eating out on the patio. At one point my friend pointed out this beautiful bird sitting on a nearby branch. As I looked, my friend picked up the immediate change in the expression on my face. My heart’s feelings were revealed. There was a male western tanager. I instantly knew that he was looking for his mate, the beautiful little female western tanager I had tried to help. Some birds do mate for life, you know, and my heart ached for him and his loss. Regal had taught me well. All living creatures do have feelings and, while I may not know exactly what this male western tanager was experiencing, I do know he was feeling some distraught, in some form, as he looked for his mate!

Next entry: My personal take on PAWS.
With blessings, Linda