Our Beloved Pij

On April 29, 2004, Pij & I met, thus initiating what would turn out to be a wonderful relationship. He was a beautiful fancy pigeon who, back in Dec., 2003, was found 'tumbling' about in someone's front yard.

Pij's rescuer telephoned me explaining that she has acquired a tumbler pigeon. In addition to his 'tumbling' skills she was quite taken in by his 'other trick', holding his head upside down for long periods of time while staring at the doves above him that he was housed with. As this was not characteristic of a pigeon, I suggested perhaps she had a fancy pigeon with possible neurological problems rather than a 'tumbler' pigeon. Moreover, she might have a pigeon who was possibly suffering from Paramyxovirus, more commonly referred to as PMV. This virus affects a pigeons central nervous system. I suggested she contact her avian vet to get his/her opinion of the situation.

Reluctant to keep Pij after speaking with her vet, she asked if I would be interested in taking him. Without hesitation, I accepted her offer.

When Pij arrived at our house, he was experiencing nearly nonstop seizures, which his rescuer defined as tumbling. His head was upside down 99% of the time, he didn't utter a peep & would stand, endlessly, in one spot unless he was in the midst of a seizure. When I would hear him begin to thrash about, I would quickly pick him up, place him against my chest & stroke his back. He would soon relax.

Pij & I promptly visited a vet who also specialized in avian medicine. The vet suggested starting him on a course of Prednisone, which is a steroid, as whatever was going on may have been irritated by inflammation around his brain.

After the first week on Prednisone, his seizures began to subside. Within a month of being on Prednisone, his head was right side up more than upside down. After nearly two months of being on Prednisone Pij's symptoms had resolved.

He Gradually began to coo. He would hop on my hand, however would not fly. He so enjoyed playing our special game of 'hand tag'.

As Pij grew more confident, he would make small flights around the AZ room while I was cleaning. He loved to watch the ferals mingling about in the yard and had a great time flying with his feathered friends in the aviary. As his wonderful personality blossomed, so did his devotion toward Rae Charles, our adorable blind pigeon, whom we adopted a two months after Pij came to live with us. He was constantly entertaining us all with his wonderful antics and 'coo-waka-wakas'.

Sadly, Pij passed away in my arms on the morning of February 11, 2006. He was laid to rest next to our beloved Whitefeather.

"Thank you, sweet Pij, for building such a beautiful nest, filling it with all our treasured memories and placing it ever so carefully in my heart. I visit there often."

I thought I would share a few photos of our beloved Pij.
His determination to overcome his illness was incredible.