***** YONAH ***** She came on the after-noon of 13 October 2020... I'd seen her at about 10.00 this morning, in the grass, beside the walk, laying there, in the rain. I didn't want to disturb her because, at first sight, she appeared stunned, but other-wise, un-injured. I thought, perhaps, something had attacked her but, because she was still there, I expected she'd recover and fly away. At about 11.00, I went to market and leaving by the back door, didn't see her there and was relieved, believing she'd flown. But when, about 90 minutes later, I returned, I saw her, laying under the bottom step to the back porch. She'd sought shelter, out of the rain, and as I approached, she didn't try to escape me. She was injured! I couldn't leave her there, defenceless, in the rain, thinking of something coming after her! I brought her in, put the green flannel scraps from the sheet that I'd used to make a pillow for Mimou (VT) in a box and, as soon as I'd put the groceries up, started looking for help. A call to Donna gave no remedy. I asked Alvin and he referred me to Eric saying "He's bird people". I went across the road and spoke with Eric who advised that local vets wouldn't take her, the best I could do is put her in a shoe-box and make her as comfortable as possible for what-ever time she had left. I was almost devastated! NOBODY would offer any helpful advice! When I returned to the house to have a good look, I noticed her left wing appeared broken! So too, her left leg, which dangled, life-less. When she raised her left wing, which gave me some hope, I saw missing feathers and an abrasion! Yes, she HAD been attacked! But what could I do, other than, as Eric suggested, leave her in the box and give her comfort, shelter from the rain and cold, and protection from further assault? I contrived a "cage", gave her the work table in the "drawing room", by the window... provided her seed and water in little plastic bottle caps and... I hoped. She laid on the fabric "bedding" for most of the day and when, later, I checked her, I noticed... SHE'D EATEN! I was encouraged! And so, as time passed, the dead-like leg some-how regained strength! She began to walk again in just over a week! The abrasion under her wing healed and feathers returned! She became stronger and would walk about the make-shift cage. And now, time has passed, and tonight, on the 5th January 2021, she sleeps in her little house, a purest JOY to my heart, my reason to put aside my own trials and illness, to make certain that I am here, for her, until the cold of Winter has passed, so that I can set her free again, back to her flock, when they return from their Winter migration. "Yonah"... Hebrew: dove. The word is feminine... as is she. My heart, my soul, my love. *** SLIDE-SHOW ***
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