A heartbreaking loss

[Charis]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

Thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers. They really mean so much to me! Big hugs going out to all of you.

My 20-year-old son, who is deaf and has lots of struggles in life, shared with me a dream he had last night. He dreamt he saw all our precious pet birds who have passed on, including Romeo and Hercules. He said they looked different, like angels, but he recognized them and they told him they were fine now and were so grateful to me for trying to save them. I know it was just a dream, but it really touched my heart.

-Cathy

It touches my heart too and just maybe, it was more than just a dream. I'm so sorry for this tragic loss.

[Reti]

I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Hercules, Cathy.
We all had our share of "senseless" losses and I know how much it hurts.

Reti

[taralotti]

I am so sorry for your loss....
May your beautiful Hercules reach the Pure Land of Birds and stay there for eternity...
OM MANI PADME HUM

With LOVE & LIGHT
Maria

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Cathy,

I'm sorry about your loss of Hercules. I know it's hard for me to speculate without seeing your setup and being there, but it sounds like it might have been a weasel that killed Hercules. I'm quite late in responding as well but the more I thought about this, the more I suspect a weasel.

They are very tiny animals, but smart and ferocious hunters. They can slip into holes and cracks nearly as small as a mouse can get into.

This doesn't change anything or will bring Hercules back, but it's a predator that people should be aware of and because of the very tiny spaces they can get through.

Sorry again for your loss.

[Birdmom4ever]

Originally Posted by Pigeonpal2002

Hi Cathy,

I'm sorry about your loss of Hercules. I know it's hard for me to speculate without seeing your setup and being there, but it sounds like it might have been a weasel that killed Hercules. I'm quite late in responding as well but the more I thought about this, the more I suspect a weasel.

They are very tiny animals, but smart and ferocious hunters. They can slip into holes and cracks nearly as small as a mouse can get into.

This doesn't change anything or will bring Hercules back, but it's a predator that people should be aware of and because of the very tiny spaces they can get through.

Sorry again for your loss.

Thank you, Brad. That thought occurred to me, but I don't think we have weasels here. We actually found ourselves wondering if someone had a pet ferret (illegal here in CA) and it escaped, because it still makes no sense to me that a racccon could reach through that wire, even after seeing what happened to Herc. I guess we'll never know.

We retrofitted all our dove enclosures with 1/2" wire over the top of the original wire and secured the bottom trays so they can't be pushed or pulled out, thus denying anything access from underneath. We bought a beautiful new mate for Petra and she's happy with him, but I still miss Hercules very much. He was the sweetest dove I've ever met and that's saying a lot because we have some very sweet, tame doves.

A female Cooper's hawk was here terrorizing the doves the other day. We chased her out of the yard multiple times but she kept coming back. She can't get at the doves or pigeons, but she sure scares the doves (the pigeons just go inside the loft and stay there). So far the doves have done the right thing by freezing in place, but I'm worried she'll panic them when we're not home.

It's always something. I wish we could just screen in the entire patio so I wouldn't have to worry about anything getting to my doves. I'm at the point where I would consider it, but if you saw our setup you would see that it's not very practical.

-Cathy

[corvid]

Cathy

I m so sorry for Your loss. Your wounds will heal with time. Hercules is probably sitting somewhere on the branch outside (before going , where ever we all go..) and as he is preening his intact and "still molting" feathers he is cooing to you "Gosh I did not know I was able to squeeze so much water out of you."

Your time together was a gift, dont think about how he died, remember the happines he gave you.

Nell

[Scuiry]

Dear Cathy,

I am so, SO sorry. Nothing can be said that can measure up to your hurt and loss. I keep hoping we learn from these experiences. But sooner or later, no matter how hard we try, something out-smarts us. I don't know why. It just seems inevitable.

As far as I'm concerned, you are an icon of what it means to love and care for our birds. You are like the "shepherd who knows his sheep" knowing each by name, caring for them with so much personal attention. Few of us could hold a candle to you. You pour your heart and soul into that loft. You take every reasonable precaution. That's all anyone can do.

There is one thing you might consider. Sometimes when something like this strikes I try to make something good come out of it. That can be anything you want, from a donation to a wildlife or rescue center in Hercules' memory or taking in another lost soul, whatever you feel honors him, whatever you feel makes a difference for the ones we all love.

I hope that in time you will find comfort and peace in the loss of your little friend.

Take care,

Daniel

[Maggie-NC]

I know I have already sent my condolences, but, Daniel, I want you to know that is a beautiful post and speaks to what I always try to practice - honor. These little guys we take in deserve honor. That is the main reason I try to name each and every one that we care for and take their picture so they will, at least to us, be remembered in some small way.

[Ivor]

I'm sorry to hear that, but just think that your little angel is happy wherever he is, he will be happy because they are inncent animals, and I'm sure he will be always close to you, I know is already in you heart, is fine to cry right now but with the time you will feel much better.

Ivette

[Birdmom4ever]

That's a great idea, Daniel and Maggie. I'll find a suitable way to honor him. Thank you too, Ivor and thank you again everyone else. It's very soothing to read your posts.

-Cathy