Farewell to Laura and her friends

[Teresa]

It's remarkable how long it can take you to get over the loss of a bird or an animal, even when you never even got to hold it.
Back in 2005, over 2/3 of the flock of feral pigeons I was feeding died within a couple of weeks, fulminated by a series of infections. I had seen that some had unmistable signs of canker, but I had no way of catching them. One of them was my lovely Laura, who always came a little closer than the others.
At feeding time, in the evening, she just flew right through the window and landed at my feet, inches away from my cat. As I picked her up I knew straight away she was dying.
Not knowing what else to do, I cradled her and spoke gently to her, standing by the window so she could see and hear all that was familiar to her. As the sun set she closed her eyes for the last time.
I felt very upset, angry and impotent, so much so that it took me almost 3 years to bring myself to post here again, though I never stopped caring for all the other creatures that needed help.
This is a memorial to my little friends and a reminder that the pain and anger for every life lost can be healed by the joy of other lives won.

Teresa.

[KIPPY]

Oh man I know the feeling.
The sadness, the anger, the heartbreak and the sickness you feel in the pit of your stomache.
I remember a few times yelling and crying at our Father for the things that has happened.
My Aunt believes and always tells me our Father takes the sting out of death for animals. I personally think they accept death and know when it's their time to move on better then we do.
Through The Bible animals and doves: had, have and will always have a role to play in our lives. When their time comes The Lord is there.
Sorry to be so preachy but that's my belief and that is what gets me through the bad times of my feral flock, personal flock, my many old dogs I have lost and life in general.

[mr squeaks]

What a wonderful tribute, Teresa!

Sending loving thoughts and hugs to you!

Shi

[EgypSwiftLady]

Teresa my heart goes out to you, thank you for being such a good and trustful friend to Laura and her flock. She must have loved you because she came to spend her last moments with you.

Thank you for sharing and sometimes we never get over the loss of a friend, we just learn how to live with the sadness that is left behind.

[maryjane]

I'm so sorry for your grief, Teresa. The pain gets less with time, it's true, but it never goes away, and that ache can always come along with the love you feel when you think of that special animal or person you lost. I'm sorry you had to go through that with your beloved feral flock. I'm really glad you posted about it, hoping that somehow this will help you find some closure to those painful memories and help you remember the good memories instead.

Originally Posted by KIPPY

Oh man I know the feeling.
The sadness, the anger, the heartbreak and the sickness you feel in the pit of your stomache.
I remember a few times yelling and crying at our Father for the things that has happened.
My Aunt believes and always tells me our Father takes the sting out of death for animals. I personally think they accept death and know when it's their time to move on better then we do.
Through The Bible animals and doves: had, have and will always have a role to play in our lives. When their time comes The Lord is there.
Sorry to be so preachy but that's my belief and that is what gets me through the bad times of my feral flock, personal flock, my many old dogs I have lost and life in general.

What a beautiful way to put it. I always try to remember this though it is hard. Thank you for your kind words.

[cyro51]

Hi Teresa,

Welcome back!

One of the most difficult thing about caring so much about wild birds and coming to know and love them as individuals is that we can't protect them from all harm, although we do the best we can.

Laura must have trusted you so much to go to you when she was ill. It takes a lot of love and patience to win a free living pigeon's trust to that extent.

I am glad that she was able to die safely in your arms, rather than to disappear forever as so many do.

Cynthia

[Teresa]

Thank you all so much for your messages, they are a great help. God bless you.

Teresa.