Colleen
It was late at night and we had gone out to the backyard. Digger was walking the porch when I saw him stop and point. This is a picture I took of him pointing out a squirrel one day so I've included it to show you how he points.
So there he was pointing at something on the deck that I could not see because it was dark at that end of the deck. I walked over to see what he had spotted and saw a bird. I told him to "leave it" which means to back off, which he did. I reached down to pick up the bird who remained very still. I brought it in the house and realized it was a juvenile mourning dove. He didn't seem injured but I put him in a cage for the night so I could release him back to a safe place in the morning.
I think he had tried to fly but probably was not strong enough yet to fly far or get good lift. He was moving about in the cage quite well and flapping his wings so he seemed healthy enough and again, uninjured. In the morning, I took him, cage and all, and hung the cage on a pole I have out back and left the cage door open. When I checked a few hours later, he was gone. I checked the backyard for him but did not see him. I then went to check the front yard and spotted this adult dove on top of my Bronco.
It just stayed there looking at me, then it started bopping it's head at me. I just got the feeling it might have been the parent bird (mother maybe) and the head pop was a way of thanking me for looking after the little one then releasing it back outside.
(when she started bopping her head up and down at me)
As soon as I thought, "you're welcome" at it, it flew to the tree next to the driveway and settled onto a branch. I really think she wanted me to know she was there by sitting on the Bronco and wanted me to know she appreciated what I did for the little one. Might be true and it might not be but I like thinking it anyway ;)
14 Answers
FISH-O
Very nice Colleen.
I would like to share one as well, if I may.
I discovered a cat living underneath one of my back decks many moons ago. This deck was very low to the ground and only exposed on one side making it impossible to have a look underneath. The cat must have had kittens under there and so I began feeding her.
Every day before I went off to work I put a bowl of food out underneath an over hang. As I drove away each day I would look in my rear view mirror and the cat would be at the bowl eating. This went on for what seemed like months.
One morning I discovered a rat in my garage. (The signs were clear) I am deathly afraid of rats so I whipped in and out of the garage at break neck speed, making all sorts of noise so not to meet the rat face to face. I was weighing my options for the removal of the rat as I placed the bowl of food down for the cat. I jumped into my truck, looked in the rear view mirror, saw the cat and mumbled, "If you could take care of that rat I would be eternally grateful.". I drove away. I worried about that rat all day long.
That night I came home from work to find the rat lying in the middle of the driveway. The cat was sitting under the overhang. I looked at the rat and then the cat. I said, "Thank you.". The cat looked at me as if to say, "Thank you" back.
I drove back to work and spoke to a friend about the rat.... Alive or dead, I am still deathly afraid. My friend went over to my house and disposed of the rat. What a great friend.
I never saw that cat again. What a great cat. I also never met any of her kittens. I just had a feeling that was why she was there.
Come to think of it now, she looked an awful lot like the cat that came to live with us here in this house. Curious.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 17 | |
jhharlan
daren1
Awesome great dog Colleen, must be cool to have such a incredible animal..
| 12 years ago. Rating: 14 | |
ed shank
Ann
doolittle
Yes I believe that is exactly what Mamma wanted to tell you!!! How fortunate for her little one that you had a spare cage!!!!! Your dog is very cute!!! How are the 3 babies doing- any down feathers yet???
| 12 years ago. Rating: 12 | |
(I will forever believe that was the mother dove.)
Dardaigh
ROMOS
Handsome little Digger, intelligent too no doubt?
| 12 years ago. Rating: 11 | |
digger
pythonlover
pikkutiikeri65
A wonderful story Colleen! People who love animals must have a good soul. Digger is very gentle dog because he just showed that birdie and did not touch it.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 10 | |
mycatsmom
eggplant
walther p38
Thanks Colleen.