Pierre & Lucia: UPDATE 11/26/10
It's not until I look at the old, "before" pictures that I can fully appreciate how far Pierre has come in the past eight months. His right leg used to point out horizontally and he was unable to stand, walk or perch. He was just stuck on his tummy. He never complained.
Now, thanks to the extreme generosity of donors who contributed $1500 on Pierre's behalf, he's had two surgeries to rotate first his femur and then his tibia taursus. He's fully healed and can do all the things a normal dove does. He is full and complete.
Along the way, he had the tender and incredible support of his first mate, Piper, until he was tragically widowed.
After the loss of Piper, Pierre made a new friend- Lucia.
After a little more than a month of "dating", they made it official and got married. I could tell the day their relationship changed and emailed folks saying that they were now a mated couple.
Here's a video of their celebration...
They got busy building a nest and not a minute too soon because last night Lucia laid their first egg.
And this morning she laid their second. (Their real eggs will be taken away and replaced with fake eggs as a form of dove birth control. As much as I would like for Pierre and Lucia to raise babies, there are way too many homeless doves facing euthanasia to allow for breeding. Please be a responsible breeder- don't.)
Pierre is extremely proud. He is a wise and sweet and determined little fellow. I feel truly privileged to have his company, his friendship and his inspiration. On Monday, I'm taking him and Lucia to their adopter's home for a visit.
It's going to be both wonderful to see Pierre & Lucia honored with a forever home and terribly difficult to say goodbye at the same time.
3 Comments:
I've thought about Pierre so often and wondered how he was doing, especially after the loss of Piper. I'm so glad he now has another mate and is doing well. I hope his new home will be as good as his old one. Thanks so much for the update and the work you do, Elizabeth!
Oh, Elizabeth, I feel the bittersweetness of saying goodbye to these two! What a beautiful outcome for little Pierre. The transformation is astounding.
Elizabeth;
As a dove owner for over 30 years, I was transfixed by Pierre's story. His amazing journey left me in awe of how one person can do so much to better the quality of life in such a lovely, deserving soul like Pierre. God bless you for ALL you do for these humble, loving creatures. I have a feeling that there's a special place in heaven laced with thankful feathered friends just for you. Keep up the phenomenal job, and continued success in your work with birds.
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