Chubby Checker has joined little Wennity

Today I found Chubby Checker lying in a nesting box with his remaining wife Wingo standing over him. He had crossed Rainbow Bridge, most probably as he was cooing under Wingo's breast.

Chubby was a disabled 1999 racing pigeon and came to us from Helen in 2003 with his first wife, Speckie, who crossed the bridge a couple of years ago. He was popular with the hens and his wives got on well together.

Just as Wingo sighed "He's gone", Wennity and Speckie welcomed him with a joyful cry, "He's here!"

Chubby will have an individual cremation and his ashes will be scattered in the garden...fly free, dearest Chubby.

Oh Cynthia...I'm so sorry.

I am so, so, very sorry, Cynthia.

Fly free sweet Chubby Checker, fly free.

Cindy

Thank you both. I am still crying. I didn't realise that I loved him so much or that losing him would hurt so much.

Cynthia

I'm crying with you, Cynthia.

Cynthia wrote:

Thank you both. I am still crying. I didn't realise that I loved him so much or that losing him would hurt so much.

Cynthia

That's exactly how I felt with Pij.
I wish I were thereto give you a hug.
But since I'm not, here's a great BIG from all of us.

Cindy

I can understand what you are going through...we are there with you Cynthia and Chubby Checker will be very happy to meet his former GFs. I am sure they all will be blissful and happy, away from this cold and cruel world.

I was worried about Chubby's widow, Wingo. She and Chubby's other wives always got on very well, Wingo was never alone, so I didn't know how she would cope without Chubby.

Then, very shortly after Chubby died I looked in the shed and another pigeon was preening Wingo. I was so shocked, I ran into the shed and grabbed the other pigeon to identify it...it was another hen, Baby. She and her mate Toffee had nested very close to Chubby and Wingo and both pairs seemed to tolerate each other. Now Baby and Wingo share egg sitting duties and preen each other tenderly. Toffee also seems to have accepted Wingo into the family. Seeing Wingo and Baby together is a sight guaranteed to bring tears of joy to your eyes.

Cynthia,
this is another amazing story and to be honest to me all these different behaviours seem to be so humanlike. Who could ever say that's stupid interpretaton of crazy animal lovers? Deep in my heart this only confirms that pigeons are very special. I wonder what we will find out else about them.

I feel with you - I am very sad about this loss of a family member.

That is so sweet...I'm happy she has some comfort.

I'm so sorry to hear that Chubby has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, although it's a comfort to know he had a long and happy life, and passed away peacefully.
It's so sweet that Baby and Toffee have included Wingo in their family, pigeons never cease to surprise us! That must have cheered Chubby up, as he was such a sociable fellow.