A heartbreaking loss

[Birdmom4ever]

I can't stop crying. I'm mourning the loss of my favorite ringneck dove, a rescue named Hercules. He came to us just a couple months ago, found in the yard of an old church friend of mine. I intended to pass him along to a woman I know via the rescue network who wants more doves, but we all fell in love with him and decided to make room for him. My husband promised to build me a proper dove aviary, but we haven't gotten that far.

We named him "Hercules" because he was quite large for a ringneck. He was incredibly tame and had obviously been someone's pet. My guess is that he was kept in a tiny cage indoors and not fed a proper diet because his feather condition was terrible. His wing shield feathers were frizzy, his breast feathers dirty and tattered. All his tail and flight feathers were broken off and had stress bars in them. And he was so tame he would always come over and "talk" to us. He was almost molted out and he was looking just as beautiful and smooth as I'd imagined he would. I gave up one of our other male doves to a good home and paired Hercules with one of my favorite hens, Petra. They seemed very happy.

This morning I found Herc lying dead on the floor of his small aviary. When I picked him up I saw that his right wing and shoulder were covered with blood. He didn't just die--he was brutally killed. Then I saw that the tray of the cage was pulled part way out and shavings scattered. These little aviaries have sturdy welded wire on them with openings approximately 1/2" x 3/4". I thought that was sufficient to keep predators out, but apparently I was wrong. I've had doves and pigeons in those cages for seven years and we've never had a problem. I'm so careful; we retrofitted them with latches and I lock them every night.

I'm just sick over this. I feel so horribly guilty. I took Hercules in because I wanted to give him a safe place where he could enjoy a long, happy life and instead it led to his brutal death. Not only that, I gave away Petra's mate and now she is alone. I'm heartbroken.

[Margarret]

Birdmom,

I am so sorry to hear that Herc was killed by a predator. I know you are devastated especially when you had done all you could to keep him safe. It makes my heart ache for both you and he to have this happen.

Margaret

[Feefo]

Oooh, Cathy, I am so sorry!

Please don't blame yourself, we try our best but whatever we do we can't protect our beloved babies from everything. John and I have a "rat proof" aviary that has nevertheless been penetrated by 4 rats...fortunately without incident so far, but every morning when I go to check on the birds it is with fear and trepidation... although they are all equally precious, some are more equally precious than others because of their relationship with us or because they had such a terrible life before coming here and I am always afraid that something will happen to them or that I will miss a sign of illness...which has happened to some over the years. It is always heartbreaking.

Cynthia

[Dezirrae]

I am soooooo sorry for your loss - my heart just goes out to you I hope you can find some comfort in that you gave him much needed love and affection for the time he was with you. Please try not to feel guilty - as you said, you've had pigeons & doves in those aviaries for seven years without a problem - that would have me believe too that they were well constructed and the birds well protected.

Rest in peace dear Hercules.

[mr squeaks]

I am so sorry to hear about Hercules!!

I know that you felt you had done your best and then, tragedy strikes!

Only time will help heal your sadness and pain...please know you are in our thoughts at this sad time.

Sending LOVING THOUGHTS with COMFORTING HUGS

Shi

[TAWhatley]

Cathy,

I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved Hercules. I know you are devastated, and I'm sending you some HUGE hugs. Having experienced similar things myself, my heart truly goes out to you.

Terry

[lwerden]

So sorry to hear of the tragic loss of your Hercules. I can only imagine how heartbroken you are. Don't feel guilty. You did everything possible to protect him, but sometimes these preditors find a way regardless of what you do.

Rest in peace precious Hercules.

[amyable]

Oh that is so terrible, what a terrible thing for you to find him like that. I am so sorry.

Bless his heart, rest in peace little one.

[maryjane]

I'm so sorry. Please try not to blame yourself. You did all you could.

[LokotaLoft]

I feel you pain as I do believe it has happened to us all at one point or another I had this real dear an near pigeon I named humpty which died on me this year and she was the sweetest bird ever.. she was hatched in an egg that was originally cracked and I glued it together in hopes to save this baby and she lived to adulthood only to die a quick death thru something I will never understand , it was heart breaking thru and thru and I will never forget my poor beautiful sweet humpty no matter how long I live . you did your best and no one can predict what will happen so dont blame yourself when lifehas other plans for our near and dear sweet babys (((Hugs)))

[Birdmom4ever]

Thank you so much, all of you! The only thing that helps is knowing other people who have gone through the same kind of loss. I know you guys know what it's like to lose a beloved pet. This one hurts so much because I can't stop thinking of how he died. It had to be just awful. I just can't believe a raccoon (I'm pretty sure that's what it was) could reach through such a small opening to inflict so much damage.

My young adult children spent the afternoon helping me (hubby was gone today) retrofit the identical aviary next to that one with 1/2" hardware cloth. I can't move the pair of doves in it because they have five day old "oops" chicks and I'm afraid if I move them they'll stop feeding the babies. Anyway, the only place I could move them would be to my quarantine cage in the garage, and that's not a great place.

Goodbye, sweet Hercules. We loved you so much and I'm so sorry I failed to protect you. I hope I'll get to scratch your head in Heaven some day.

[Trees Gray]

Cathy,

I'm SO sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Hercules, I know how it feels.

He is one of God's creatures, and has now been given back to him, so I'm sure he rests in peace now. You can take comfort in that. God bless you and comfort you in this sad time.

[Maggie-NC]

Cathy, those of us here on PT who "know" and love you, know that you love all your pets tremendously. I never think of you without remembering your love and dedication to Romeo and your care of him.

I expect all of us have had similar things happen - I know I have. I did not properly replace a lid on a precious little wren's cage and in trying to get out hung himself. It is something I will never forget and frankly don't want to because I now never close a lid without thinking of that little wren and am more careful.

Nothing you did though, to me, was negligent. You had birds in that aviary seven years without an incident. There was no way you could have even thought this could happen.

Just want you to know I'm thinking of you and sending my love and sympathy.

[TheSnipes]

Poor sweet Hercules and poor you

Don't blame yourself for not being able to predict everything that can go wrong I know how we want to curse ourselves for 'letting' something happen to one of our birds at times like this, but it is not your fault and you do your best to try and protect them. I think no matter how hard we try to put protection in place for our feathered charges, things can still get past us. I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Lin Hansen]

Cathy,

I'm so sorry to hear about Hercules.....I know it's hard not to blame yourself in cases like this, but as everyone else has said, it was truly not your fault and you can comfort yourself knowing that you always did your best and had Hercules' best interests at heart. I'm sure he was so happy with you.

Linda