havent written my own support post since 1996, but am facing some sadness from a recent event.

family and i were at the community pool on thursday when a baby goldfinch hopped out of nowhere. i tried to keep it away from the pool, but of course
it plopped right in. so i rescued it. we took it home and made a nest, i searched online for advice on how to care for it and made a food slurry of bread,
peanut butter, and milk. we fed it every few hours with an eye dropper, and the little bird did great...took the food readily, was lively and friendly.

long story short, i decided to take it to the local wildlife rescue this morning to ensure it would survive. the people were friendly there, with the exception
of one male tech who seemed perturbed that i rescued the baby. he said i should have left it where it was because the mother probably rejected it
for some reason. and that i was feeding it the wrong diet, etc. ok, i could take that in stride, no problem. he was probably correct, despite his demeanor.

but i realized that, even after only a few days, i had become attached to the little guy and was near tears leaving him behind. i know he is now in the
best care, and that they will inform me once he is released back into the wild. problem is, it verifies that even after 9 years i am still not ready for
another creature in my life. the loss is just too much to bear.

I pray the day never comes that you are

'ready to bear the loss of another creature'

It would mean that you had died inside and we need you to be alive even though it hurts.



Of course he did great, he was being fed pure love.

You have a capacity to love, and you're denying it. I know how that is. We rescued a sick stray pup several years ago, and he died a few days later. We were heartbroken and swore not to adopt any more pets. Well, last year we got adopted...a kitten wandered into our home and we just fell in love. He disappeared a few months ago and we were distraught -- my husband said it's the worse thing that has ever happened to him (and he has had a near-death experience!) but we couldn't imagine not having another cat. Now we have 2 cats and a dog. All going to break our hearts, I know, but in the meantime, nothing makes me happier.

good advice, fear of loss has kept me pet-less for so long. (i have a "step-dog" by marriage, but its just not the same). life is just so hectic at the moment and money tightening, it is difficult to even consider another animal in the house right now. i think, as jane said, it needs to be serendipitous for me...as the bird was.

sigh, just got a call from the wildlife society and the little bird has died (or has been euthanized). they say it was emphysema. i am thinking his lungs were
too undeveloped, either that or we fed him too much and he aspirated into his lungs. he was so lively yesterday morning too. sad.

That's so sad that he died. It's hard for them to survive though. I've had so many wild animals that I nursed back to health over the years. Mostly birds, and one baby squirrel. I'd say that maybe a bit over half of them survived. Sometimes no matter what you do, the injuries/illness are way too severe.

Im so sorry MD, i know how it hurts still and always a reminder.

I have 4 birds left in the aviary, my last pets and like you i will never have the courage to own another once they have gone.

If you hadnt been there he would never have experience that humans can be kind and loving.

Take care and give your adopted hound a hug from me please.

Love Sue

Even though sometimes we don't feel that we can ever take on another animal I truely believe that opportunities present themselves throughout life to come to the aid of a little furry or feathered friend.

I believe that it was happened with the baby goldfinch. You were in the right place at the right time and tried to give it it's chance of life. That is a deeply meaningful occurrence.

I am sure there will be many more such opportunities through life where you will be able to make a difference. My goodness, what a difference you make with this site.

Your story brought to mind Susan Chernak McElroy's story of the little hummingbird with the damaged wing in her book Heart In the Wild She still remembers the event 25 years on and how the memory remained forever in her heart even though she was unable to save the little bird.

You are special Marc ... and you tried to make a difference that day.

Edit: I apologise so sincerely and had not realised when I first wrote this post that the little goldfinch had not made it through, despite all your best efforts.

with love
jilly

thanks y'all, much appreciated for the kind comments.

we decided not to tell the kids the bird died. as "luck" would have it, we now have a pair of nesting morning doves right outside our front door. and at eye level too. so we are keeping an eye on this pair, lovely birds they are.

I apologise so sincerely and had not realised when I first wrote my post that the little goldfinch had not made it through, despite all your best efforts.

How lovely that you have been honored with a pair of morning doves right outside the front door. I have always thought of them as very special birds, I am sure watching them will bring much joy to all the family.

with love
jilly

all good jill, i had not even realized you had not realized