Journal SolemnDragon's Journal: Save the boidie (also, bananerphone II, and doc visit) 7
Today i visit the doc about my tummy. YAY!!!!
Also important, we got my bananaphone switched on.
It's not a banana.
But that's all right. My handheld can dial numbers for me via bluetooth, my phone is clever and the sound quality is excellent.
Yesterday, i had a bit of an adventure.
It goes like this.
I got off the train, crossed the street, and saw a woman jumping up and down a little and waving her arms. But she didn't seem crazy. I mean, she did, but i didn't see any signs of lack of self-possession about her. She seemed coherent.
So i went over, and looked where she was looking, and there's a little bird, struggling among the bushes. The woman didn't speak much english, and i don't think she knew how else to convey what was going on. Weird, but whatever. *shrug*
At this point a young mand sets down the plastic-wrapped bundle he's carrying, and stands near as well. We are trying to examine the bird, to see what's wrong, but i don't want to pick it up unless i need to, because the little guy was awful scared by these big people prowling around while it was hurt.
It had an injured claw, and some feathers were misaligned, so i think a wing injury as well. I suspect that it hit a car or something- not an uncommon city injury, especially given where the bird was.
But at that point, it became a discussion what to do. I couldn't leave it there. I can't. I know it would die in the wild, i know that's the way of things, but it was cold and the poor thing was hurting and panicking.
The young man and i discussed it, he had taken in birds before and had a vet he could call, if he could just get it home. He had been carrying a computer, that's what the plastic-wrapped item was. The woman had immediately wandered off, having accomplished her mission (as near as we could tell) in finding help for the bird. She really didn't speak much english, i don't know her native tongue and didn't recognise it.
Not a problem. I picked up the computer- it was heavy, but i managed a few blocks. From the feel, i'd say an early model, maybe a sinclair or something. We had to trade at that point, i didn't have enough spoons, but didn't know how to explain that to a stranger.
So i emptied my lunchbox, put the bird in with the top partly closed, and walked the rest of the way. We got there, i handed over the little birdling, and we put it in a comfy spot (a hat) with some cracker crumbs from my lunch (yay for reflux keeping me from finishing them!) and then i went to find my OWN way home.
I am grateful for his having been there, this stranger, because otherwise, that bird would right now be in an open shoebox in the front hall closet or something, far from kitten's curious nature but out of the cold to heal or at least die in peace.
It isn't easy, deciding to share. I had to think about this hard- and the worst part was having to decide fast. I don't like the little animals that much up close. I like them in trees, away from me. And yes, birds carry all manner of things that you don't want to come in contact with, including parasites. They are dirty and likely to peck you just out of fear.
But what can i do, leave it in the street to die?
I am fortunate in that i live with someone who reinforces my urge to do these things, who does not give me extra credit for having helped but who does appreciate that i do things as they ought to be done. When i got home completely exhausted, i was hugged and given candy and we talked about the poor little bird. Most times, they can die just from shock and fright when you take them in. After that, in my experience, they can live or die from their injuries- but it's that first few hours that can make them just die from the terrors, it's like being picked up by a UFO full of giants, just for having a broken leg. The scariness sometimes far outweighs the injury.
Sometimes it doesn't. I hope that the little one is all right.
So today i'm off to the doctor, and hopefully i will have good news to report there, too.
Good (Score:2)
No, I don't think you could. And I'm glad for it.
yes (Score:2)
but you are absolutely right... one must take care in handling animals, even little hurt birds. not knowing is a real problem.
and you do get points for helping the little bird, of course you do! most people would have either not noticed... or just not cared.
maybe (Score:2)
i didn't notice the bird. I noticed the lady, and the lady was calling attention to the bird.
She was a weird old lady.
I wonder why she didn't just help the bird herself.
Re: (Score:2)
QOTD (Score:1)
A general leading the State Department resembles a dragon commanding ducks. -- New York Times, Jan. 20, 1981
the thing that impressed me (Score:1)
Re:the thing that impressed me (Score:2)
I still have my moments, but they are moments, not weeks.