Ode to Percy In Memoriam Percy 12/17/2005

[Percy]

Percy died today Saturday December 17, 2005. I remember the day he first showed up in the back yard. The flash of white feathers caught my eye so I went outside to see what it was. There he sat … tall and proud on the corner of my roof right above where I keep the main bird feeder. He was just checking everything out and was so very alert! I think he especially liked the mourning doves. It was the 4th of July and a beautiful day. I called my friend who moaned and said “Oh no! Now we are going to have all the pigeons in Connecticut making a mess in the yard.” I took a picture of him and noticed that there was a purple band around his left leg. No identification numbers though. Perhaps he was a carrier pigeon?

What a fascinating hobby I discovered … there are pigeon groups all over the world. There are show pigeons and racing pigeons but no longer any carrier pigeons. I wrote to the Connecticut “pigeon people” on the Internet to see if someone had lost one of their home bred birds. No luck with Percy’s owner but so many people wrote back. One kind man gave me the name of a “pigeon person” in my town. I contacted him and took a photo with me to his house. This gentleman said that Percy was a blue grizzle. I guess this refers to the coloring. Apparently Percy was nothing fancy … just an ordinary home raised pigeon. He gave me some pigeon food and warned me that pigeons are “hawk bait” and suggested that he would not last long out of captivity.

He quickly became “my” pigeon named Percy. He came every morning and every evening. I would say “Hello Percy” and he would cock his head toward me and patiently wait. I would grab my camera and take Percy pictures by the dozen. He got so used to seeing me with the camera to my eye. I would throw out a handful of the special pigeon feed and he would swoop down and eat it quickly then go back to his perch on the roof. Rain or shine. We joked that he liked hanging out with the mourning doves. And he definitely was a polygamist! Sometimes I would see him on the power line in between five or six doves. Other times he would be on the roof peak of my neighbor’s house and see me come out … sure enough, a minute later he would perch on the corner and wait for his food. The little sparrows seemed to enjoy him too. He was surrounded by them all summer lined up on the gutter waiting to eat or just sunning themselves.

I was hostess to two wonderful 13 year old girls this summer for eight days. They enjoyed watching Percy too. They even named a new dance after him called “The Percy” mimicking the way his neck would move back and forth as he walked and pecked at the daily delicacies. What fun we had!

I went away for a week during September. A friend with a diesel pickup truck would come over daily to check the house while I was away. We think Percy got to know the sound of the truck because whenever my friend pulled into the driveway Percy would show up and wait for his food. Sometimes he was so hungry he would wait right on the ground for it. And he even spoke up from time to time … almost as if to say “where have you been?”

Once in a while a day or two would go by when he did not come. I was convinced that he had become some hawk’s dinner. One time after three whole days, I really worried. To make myself feel better, I decided he had flown south for the winter. My friends laughed and said “No! Pigeons do not migrate!” Lo and behold, there he was again. I was so relieved and happy to see him that I went back to my pigeon friend’s house and got more special feed for him.

Recently I worried that the cold weather would be too much for him but he continued to show up every day even in the snow. The last photos I took of him were last Thursday December 14th. I had to go away the next day and when I returned this afternoon, Saturday the 17th, I discovered a pile of white feathers strewn in the back yard. As much as I pray it wasn’t Percy, my heart knows it was. Some hawk finally got him. I cried and cried. Even my dog seemed to know that something awful had happened.

Percy taught me patience and hope. And he gave me an opportunity to nurture … something this childless woman needed during her middle aged years. And he provided a reason to go outside for fresh air instead of sitting at the computer or watching TV. I hope Percy is in bird heaven somewhere eating and hanging out with his dove girls. He was a majestic bird and became my summer friend this year. We will miss him very much!

[Anarrowescape]

I am very sorry to read about percy he had a loving owner till the end you both took care of each other and made each other happy thats wot matters the most

I hope you are ok

[cyro51]

I am so sorry for your loss, I wish you had had more time with Percy and he with you.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

Moderators, at one stage there was discussion about having a "hall of love" in which we could keep pictures of pigeons we had loved and lost as a permanent tribute ...did anything come of that?

Cynthia

[Lady Tarheel]

I am so sorry to read of your loss. It is amazing how these wonderful birds can work their way into your heart. Be consoled that you fed him well and know that he knew you cared for him.

Maggie

[LondonPigeon]

i'm sorry

[dnrslucky1]

I am so sorry to here your sad news!

Denise

[TAWhatley]

Originally Posted by cyro51

Moderators, at one stage there was discussion about having a "hall of love" in which we could keep pictures of pigeons we had loved and lost as a permanent tribute ...did anything come of that? Cynthia

It was discussed and all agreed it was a good idea .. hasn't been set up yet. I'll remind everyone.

Terry

[Trees Gray]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your companion Percy.

May he live in peace and joy in bird Heaven.



Cynthia,

Regarding: Tributes to our pet birds that have passed on, I know we talked about it and agreed upon it, but haven't heard anything further.

[TerriB]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for caring enough to offer him a good diet of pigeon food. I'm glad you had the opportunity to appreciate Percy's beauty and intelligence.

[Reti]

I am so sorry this beautiful, intellingent bird had to go so soon.
I am sure he appreciated your care and love for him and he will watch over you.

Reti

[Victor]

It must have been very hard for you to write the story about your beloved Percy, but we are glad that you did share your story. Percy will live forever in your mind and I can see that he touched you in a very special way. I know you will miss him.I send my condolances to you.May Percy rest in peace.

[Larry_Cologne]

Thank you for your story about Percy. Pigeons -- and pets, and all other types of creatures -- can afford one so much pleasure just by doing the ordinary things they do. They remind us not to forget to appreciate even the simplest things in life. And we miss them when they go.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi there,

What a sad story of your beloved Percy and his ultimate demise You experienced something wonderful though in the time you shared with this pigeon and this is what pigeons or any animal can bring to us humans. They touch us and remind us of simpler things in life. He was surely greatful for your kindness, and you allowed him his choice to stay or go. You were selfless.

It's people such as yourself that will attract more birds or animals to you...keep watch around you because I think you will have a new friend come into your life at some point.

Take care and thanks for sharing the story of PERCY with us.