Vega - Your life was too short

[Insomniac]

Vega was rescued along with his sibling, after his parents were poisoned with Draino, and their fate was going to be death by shovel. I quickly fell in love with them, and my entire family loved to watch them learn to fly, strut around, and later, fly huge laps around our neighborhood.

I have a lot to learn about the art of pigeon keeping...I knew the basics, researched a lot, but I guess some lessons come with experience. I would lock loft every night after they came home, and opened it in the early afternoon. I think that was my mistake. If had let them out hungry, and a bit later in the day, they would have come back into the loft rather then hung around on the garage roof, or in our neighbors yard. But they never seemed to go far, and we had never seen any cats or hawks in our area.

One day, Luna came home alone, and didn't go back into the loft. She sat on the garage windowsill, until I put her back myself. The next day, Vega still wasn't home. I rode my bike around the neighborhood, and behind the houses, peering into yards to see if he had gotten hurt. I made some little leaflets to put into neighbors mailboxes to call me if their cat brought home a pigeon, or if they found him, and not to kill him...but, before I was able to put them out, I saw a group of magpies under my neighbors tree, and a cat on the fence. I went over, and all that was left were Vega's feet and wings... I felt so bad, that it had happened so close to home, and that I had let them out the entire day...giving them so much time to get into trouble.

Luna didn't return to her loft that night and was gone for four days before she came back, dirty and hungry. I thought she had suffered the same fate. Now Luna has three more friends and is feeling a lot better....but we all miss Vega, his life was to short, and it never should have happened.

[cyro51]

I am so sorry that it ended the way it did, Insomniac. You provided him with the best of both worlds, it is a shame that there are so many hazards attached to freedom.

He had a longer life that he was apparently alloted and a much better life, too. That second pictur is so joyful!

Cynthia

[Reti]

I am sorry Vega's life on earth was too short. He had a wonderful life though and I a longer one have you not rescued him.
RIP sweet Vega.

Reti

[flitsnowzoom]

Beautiful bird and beautiful tribute. RIP Vega.

[Charis]

Really lovely pictures and I'm so sorry Vega's life ended so tragically.
I agree with Cynthia. That last picture is very joyful.
I'm glad that Luna has some company again.

[maryjane]

I'm sorry you lost your beloved Vega. He did have a much better and longer life than he otherwise would have had you not rescued him. And he got to fly free each day, with his friend, which is what pigeons love to do most. Try not to feel guilty as this is a risk many of us take, if only to ensure that our birds are happy and doing what they love.

[Lady Tarheel]

I am very sorry that Vega died. They can capture our hearts so easily and losing one is very hard.

[Flying_Pidgy]

I know Vega thanks u greatly for giving him a second chance. You know , when their in their loft or next to us its our responsibility to protect them, but once they are outside its up to them and their instinct. Its not your fault at all , if u feel even at all guilty. Vega was very beautiful! i have never seen markings like that on any bird especially in that color with a crest. thank you for taking care of him and giving him a second chance

[Garye]

All I can say is that, I'm glad you gave Vega a chance at life. No matter how long or short it was, the bird had a chance at happiness. Vega is probably watching you from up there now. And no doubt, he will be watching over you like you did for him.

[Jazicat]

I am so very sorry for your loss. Vega was a very beautiful pigeon who had a happy and wonderful life with you. I wish your time together had been longer.