Stacy Horn

The NYC Pigeon Rescue people never got my first message, because they called back very quickly after I called them a second time. I now have an appointment tomorrow at the Wild Bird Fund to set his leg. The problem is, I have to take him home and rehabilitate him myself. They don’t have any room right now. Mother of god.

Both the Pigeon Rescue guy and the Wild Bird Fund guy carefully explained how to soften puppy chow and hand feed him, which I just tried.

My pants are now soaking in the sink in some Woolite, the feathers and soggy puppy chow is mostly cleaned up, and when I have more money I’ll have to call the rug cleaning guy, but I think I managed to get 3 or 4 pieces inside him! Unfortunately the guy said to shoot for 10, so I will have to try again in a couple of hours. I learned a lot though, I think I will do better.

The pigeon rescue guy asked me some questions about about my pigeon’s appearance (notice I said “my”) and he told me he’s actually very young. That’s puppy chow in the back. I thought I’d leave a few pieces for him in case he developed a taste for it.

For the first time the pigeon is up on two feet. I tried to get a good look at his legs, and for as much as I could see they looked okay, but I couldn’t see all of the legs and what do I know anyway? When I moved another box to one side of the box he’s in he pecked at the side of the box. He is without question more alert and active.

I still haven’t heard from the pigeon rescue organization and I’m feeling anxious. I have to take Buddy to the vet this afternoon, and schedule Finney’s laser treatment. It’s all animal care all the time here.

It’s still early, so I don’t expect them to call yet, but I hope they call soon. I’ve grown attached to my pigeon and I want him to make it. If he’s eating he’s not eating much. I saw him take pecks yesterday evening so I left him alone to eat without my large lurking presence, but it looks like most of the food is still there this morning.

When I picked him up to give him water though, his resistance definitely felt stronger, so that’s gotta be good. He barely moved yesterday. He also drank a lot of it so at least he’s getting hydrated. Oh please please call pigeon rescuers.

These wonderful musicians were playing in Union Square when I went to get bird food. I couldn’t stop to listen of course.

Update: 6:10: He hated the bird baby food, but it awakened his appetite and he ate the regular bird food he initially scorned. Plus I got a lot more water in him via syringe. So yay! Haven’t heard back from the pigeon rescue group, but it is Sunday. And I’m heartened by his appetite. He was so uninterested at first. It has to be a good sign.

Update: 4:45: Back from Petco with regular food and also formula for baby birds in case it doesn’t eat the regular food and I have to feed it with a syringe.

Update 2:50: I called my vet and the tech explained how to feed a pigeon with a syringe. I just successfully fed some water to the pigeon! Made me ridiculously happy. Will try baby food later.

I headed out to go kayaking, and saw this sick pigeon in front of my building. I went back up and got water and food for it, but ultimately I couldn’t just leave it there. It didn’t even move when I put the water and food down next to it …

… so I got a box and brought it upstairs, called and emailed the New York City Pigeon Rescue people and read these instructions for How to Care for Lost Pigeons by Frank Mosca …

… but he didn’t drink, even though I tried the trick Frank suggested. I fear he might be too far gone. His leg is very unnaturally splayed as you can see in this picture. When I picked him up he barely resisted. Poor little thing. Now I’m home worrying and waiting to hear back from someone. Seriously, I wish I wasn’t the way I am, but I couldn’t just leave him.

The exercises the vet suggested for my cat weren’t working out so came up with some of my own. I’ll try to make a video of them later today so I can show my vet and others with arthritic cats.
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At first I thought this creepy zombie guy was some sort of modern scarecrow, except what crops is he protecting? This was out on Long Island, I took it the day I went kayaking.