A Rescue Today- a story

[Lynjupiter]

Inspired by a FWD called My Foster Dog and a rescue I picked up recently I wrote this. It is about a pionus


A Rescue Today

I picked up a rescue today. His feathers were plucked but for the wings. His body raw and covered in deep wounds he made himself. His feet and toes have been broken and never treated. His eyes are dull and his movement lethargic. He shivers in pain and seems to have given up on life.

The vet says he has infections in his skin and body. Much longer like this and he would have died.
Any slight spirit he had left seems to be broken under the weight of the collar that keeps him from continuing to destroy his body. I pick him up from the vet's two days later.

I bring him back to the rescue and put him in a clean pretty cage full of toys. He barely seems to notice his surroundings and the other birds. He lays in my lap as I dribble medicine in his mouth he is unresponsive to the bitter taste that is barley disguised with grape juice. When I put him back in the cage he closes his eyes to sleep.

The next morning he is holding his head a little higher. He seems to be looking around amazed at what he sees. Bright colors, other birds happy, yelling , talking. He seems to realize this is a happy place. When I place my hand in the cage he lowers his head and accepts petting.
I give him his medicine and he turns his head from the taste. When we are done he snuggles into the crook of my arm and closes his eyes to sleep. We repeat the medicine and snuggling in the evening.

On the fifth day I come in the room to be greeted with an shrill weak call along with all the other healthy screams from rescues in resident. I am spot bright eyes that seem happy to see me.
He is leaning against a brightly colored toy and had discovered the joy of chewing on rawhide.
He protests the medicine even more. His fight is coming back. He still wants to snuggle but this time his eyes stay open longer.

This morning his call is much stronger. His food bowl is empty and he comes to the cage door on his own. He twists his head this way and that trying to avoid the foul brew of medicine I put in his beak. Yet can't wait for our snuggle time. I see feathers sprouting all over his body. A promise of beautiful things to come.

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

That is a very touching story. Its so sad that that kind of thing happens to animals but its the good people that give it all hope. I watch animal precinit all the time & they showed some birds on there one time, some dead & some still alive, that had been left for week with no food & no water. One of the surviviors was a beautiful B&G Macaw. Some of the other little guys weren't so lucky, nor were their eggs. Its sad that people let this happen. Crystal

[The Outlaw]

Lyn:

Your tenacity and determination always impress me. Its a never ending parade of mistreated, damaged and discarded birds. I think I'd have succumbed to bitterness long ago, yet still you manage to pick up the pieces and put them back together.

In the truest sense of the word, you are a rescuer. I am no fan of rescues, but I'm your number onecheerleader. You do it one at a time, day after day, year after year. I'm spiritually elevated everytime you post. It gives me hope.

[CALVINS MOM]

what a sad story - with a wonderful ending. You are a bird lover of the highest degree and quite an inspiration. Many years of love and happiness to you and your new baby.

[Tiki]

Lynda, thank you for make a world of difference to that sweet little bird. I hope you have many happy years together.

[Quito's Qage]

Great story Lyn. I admire you greatly for the work that you do. It must be so difficult to keep a positive attitude in the face of so much abuse and neglect. Thank you!

[grandma]

Lynn, what a good person you are to do this. Would love to help when needed. Remember, I only live 30 miles south of you. Sorry I missed you at the last bird show.

[Casa Amazona]

Lyn, it's not easy to make me cry but you've managed it. God bless you for caring for this little one and giving him his life back.

[Winged_Victory]

Thank you for taking the bird in !!!!! If there is ever anything I can do for you let me know...............

[homebird]

You've rendered me speechless. More power to you.