What Wisdom Can You Find that is Greater Than Kindness?
-Jean Jacques Rousseau

Last November, Palomacy was asked to take in a then 20 year old pigeon. He was the only one left of his original flock of 60. He was part of a 4H pigeon racing project started in 1993. In the beginning, the family flew the pigeons but seeing them injured and killed by hawks was too upsetting so they stopped. Since then, all of the kids grew up and lost interest. Pigeons can live for more than 20 years but alone in a coop is no life for a pigeon. He’d never been named until Jill picked him up. He’d been #2931, hatched in 2000. He was thin, arthritic and had a badly overgrown, crossed beak which Jill immediately corrected (not even waiting until she got home).

She named him Wisdom and settled him into supportive, VIP care with a special open-door suite, food and water included for easy snacking, soft bedding, access to a heating pad, and the company of gentle friends. We intend to ensure that the rest of his life is spent knowing that he is cherished and safe.

On August 10th, having worked my foster numbers way down, I was able to bring Wisdom home to live with me. He’s getting frailer, his legs are weaker. He needs extra support and attention. He’s sitting beside me as I type this. I call him WyWy sometimes. Wisdom floats for 20 minutes each morning in a luke warm sink full of epsom salt water (hydrotherapy to ease his legs). He naps in the sun a lot, hangs out watching the other birds, let’s me snuggle him a little, gets good pain meds. I feel him slowing down even more than he was and I know that we won’t have the privilege of his presence forever.

Wisdom is just one bird. Last year, Palomacy rescued nearly 400, placing 257 with adopters, an increase of 58% over 2019. We’re helping even more birds this year and assisting thousands all over the country through our Palomacy Help Group and website. Every single one of these birds is an individual. Each one wants to live, to be safe, to love and be loved.

September 11, 2021 Update

Chipotle is a beautiful, soulful 10 year old pigeon racing survivor who was injured, grounded & helpless in May when she was lucky enough to be rescued alive & taken to Peninsula Humane Society. They healed her up & have been seeking an adopter for her ever since. Yesterday I picked her up to be a special friend for old, old man Wisdom. He’s very wobbly on his legs & spends a lot of time napping. I’m not sure if he’s got the strength to really bond but I want to give him the chance. Amazing Chipotle, right from the start, though plunked into a strange new environment, read the room & gently took up next to him like an old friend. She’s such a sweet, gentle bird. Wisdom is quietly observing his new companion. I wonder if he thinks he’s dreaming. She’s so perfect & gentle & generous, sweetly giving him her company, no questions asked. She was named Chipotle after the take out bag she arrived in but she’s pretty much the opposite of a Chipotle. Maybe Grace? Or Dulce? I’ll add updates here as they unfold. Here are photos from their first evening & morning together.

Together we are saving birds’ lives, one by one. 

We can’t save birds without you. Your support makes all of this possible.

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A loving heart is the truest wisdom.
-Charles Dickens

 

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