So, it is consistently the case that the sound of packing tape going on shipping boxes strikes terror in my dogs heart. I don't know what that sound seems like to a blind animal but she is inconsolable and stands between my legs shaking and whining the entire time. This made Christmas shipping a little stressful but that is why God created rum for eggnog. Not that I had any eggnog but the rum would have come in handy.
Fast forward to today and the terror renewed while I prepared a care package for my sister.
Oh, if it had only been so simple.
On our walk, just before the packing began, I spotted a male cardinal sitting at the edge of our driveway. Kind of hard to miss neon red on brown leaves.
So I took Penny in and went to check out his situation. He didn't have any outward injury that I could see but let me pick him up so I brought him in to at least give him a safe place to try to recover if he can. He's been here for three hours and while he still alternates between panting and having his head drift down to the bottom of the box I have him in and trying to sit upright, he has been gaining strength and a squeaky protesting voice.
Want to drive a blind chow crazy?
So, I'm listening to classical music while she settles down with my cardinal friend tucked away in my office for now where I hope he continues to make gains unmolested by anyone, including me. He did manage a very good bite on my finger so I have hope but then he conked out with his beak still attached to me. He perked up when I dislodged myself from his bite.
This daily 'yoga' commitment is taking on some very interesting aspects, I have to admit it.
Send a thought for recovery to this little red fellow.
My brother and sister-in-law used to live in Bridgeport, IL, once took in an injured gosling. They kept it far into adulthood. It loved the house and would run the long hallway stretching out its wings. This lasted until it confused the dogs. They then brought it out to a farm in the country.
Get well, little red bird.
Posted by: Frank Rutledge | 01/04/2013 at 03:28 PM
Poor little thing. Wonder what's wrong with it? You're so kind...
Posted by: Kevin Moriarity | 01/04/2013 at 04:09 PM
Well, he's graduated laying on a towel to a shoe box which he can now flit out of and now he's in a taller box. He can bite like a son of a gun (I had to wear gloves because he does NOT let go and remember they are skilled nut crackers). But he is super easy to catch and just gets exhausted so fast. I don't think he can fly yet although he would like to. I did get him to drink some because he attacked my little "water bowl" and he seemed to swallow fine and he's not panting like he was but then he just fades out like a little rag doll. He poops just fine so I'm hoping he doesn't have any other internal injuries. I think he's going to be an overnight guest if he doesn't give up the ghost sooner. I can't see putting him out when the predators are roaming. He can sit on my finger for a bit but then his feet lose strenght so no way can he sit in a tree right now. But he started out completely lethargic so I take his nearly drawing blood and escaping a shoe box as a move in the right direction. He's got some sunflower seeds in with him but he could care less about that this point. In the meantime, Penny is snoring to Bolero right now so all is well for the moment.
Posted by: Laura | 01/04/2013 at 04:34 PM
blessings on the four of you. May all be well.
Posted by: Kate | 01/04/2013 at 04:50 PM