A good start to Sunday! :D

When my doorbell rang mid-morning, I knew it was either my mum having forgotten her keys again, or a lady with a pigeon. It was the latter.

This was one of the ladies who feed the local feral flocks, we often come across each other and she knew I treated pigeons. She usually carries a small pair of scissors in her pocket, in case she comes across a string injury, but not today -- so she came here.

The pigeon was a beautiful blue bar, perfectly healthy and well-fed, but with a mess of plastic string tied around both legs and toes. Thanks to the lady's keen eye and quick action, he was caught before the string had cut into his toes, and in 20 minutes he was free of it and good to go, with no greater damage than a very slight indentation in two toes.
So I put the pigeon back in her arms and opened the window, and she looked the picture of happiness when she released him!


All the way through the lady had watched what I did with baited breath. She was surprised that there was an analgesic for pigeons, and slightly alarmed that he didn't move at all during the treatment, so I explained how it was due to being gently wrapped in a towel that covered his eyes, laid down on a super-comfy foam bed, carved just the right shape for the purpose, and with the head end higher than the feet, so he wouldn't be sick.
I had asked her many times to bring me any serious string injuries she found, rather than just cut off the string, but I suppose it's hard to trust a stranger! I emphasised again the need for antibiotics, dressings and rest for birds with infected feet, and now she's been here and met my guests I hope she'll bring me more pidgies that need special care!

That is a very moving story Teresa. It's strange how you almost had to earn this ladies trust as you do with injured birds. I suppose a good thing for her to feel confident in knowing you're also there to call on if she finds a bird that she feels needs some extra special attention.
It's lovely she was able to watch you helping this lucky pigeon. Another good person whose willing to help them is always such a bonus.

Janet

I like the way you put it, Janet, about having to earn the lady's trust as we do with injured birds! I think it was exactly it!
No rescuer likes to hand over his or her charges without being sure of their fate, and that's a good thing, so I'm glad she stayed to see for herself that the pigeon was well treated. My hope is that in future she may bring me the ones that need meds or the vet's attention. And my vet is lovely, so caring with them!

Plastic string tied around both legs sounds like a run in with an undesirable.
I am so glad the pij wasn't damaged too much and everything turned out on a positive note.

AZWhitefeather wrote:

Plastic string tied around both legs sounds like a run in with an undesirable.
I am so glad the pij wasn't damaged too much and everything turned out on a positive note.

I agree! It's such a great feeling when you can get the string off before it injures them!

Teresa - I absolutely love this story