WanderLust Wednesdays: Bluebirds and New Kitties

Many of you have inquired about the condition of the small bluebird that I had the blessing to nurse some time back. Let me first say that this experience was one of the most rewarding times I have had with a small creature of the wild. I have always been one of those who thinks (or should I say wants to think) that I can somehow help any creature in need. I have picked up strays and hurt animals for as long as I can remember.

Most of these rescues of late have come from the clutches of my dear cats. Yes I know they are cats and it is hard for me to expect anything else from them. I am not sure if there is a way to teach a cat not to chase birds, mice or even small moles. I have put safety collars with bells attached so that they will at least make some form of disturbance as they attempt to stalk their prey. Yet I think they have learned even how to silence these. Sweetie is so good at blending with the dried leaves and colors of winter that there are many times I do not see her until I am right beside her…

Not long back Sunny and Sweetie were in the yard playing with a grass rat that they had herded up into the yard near the back porch. They were having fun chasing it back and forth between them never really hurting it only enjoying the fun of the chase. I of course had to save it from the fate that I knew would eventually come its way so I also started to herd the creature away from them. They continued to follow it down to the edge of the pond. Vincent and I watched as it appeared that they mouse would escape by swimming its way to freedom. It swam the full width of the pond coming out from its triumph escape only to be snatched up in the clutches of a hawk that had watched the entire episode. He was grateful for the cats and I tiring the mouse to the point where he had to do little to catch him.

There is a new kitty in our lives these days. After the tragic death of Blackie I went through a time where I considered adopting a new cat from a local shelter. Each time I would go to Pet Smart I would go in and see the kitties (I do this any time I go there). I would always find one that caught my fancy. I decided though that I would wait until Summer when my granddaughter came to visit and let her pick the new kitty out. Well I must of sensed the a new kitty was coming because last week right after the heavy snow I heard this meowing. It sounded remarkably like Blackie’s old call. I could hardly believe it as his voice had been so distinctive. Lo and behold a new tom was the owner of the call. His matted long hair and worn feet told me that he had traveled far or that he did not have a home to call his own. He was quite skiddish so at first I was not able to catch him. I left him food in the usual spot I did for all the other strays that came to visit.

The other night I heard him again and went to investigate. This time it was as if he called me. I went to him. He was near the cellar and the cat house (a homemade dog house Vincent built which the cats call home) where Blackie used to spend most of his time when he was visiting. He allowed me to walk right up to him and as I bent down and offered my hand he came and I picked him up. I was amazed that he was so accepting. He spends his evenings with Sunny and Sweetie now under the fairy tree. I know he is special as Sweetie accepts him and she does not accept just any kitty. To be honest as silly as it sounds I feel like he is somehow connected to Blackie. And the fact that I am able to hold him and show him affection is quite special to me as I always wanted to do just that with Blackie .

About the bluebird. The reason I started this post in the first place. I tended him as I had told you in my last post about him. He was a delightful little guy. He sang each day as he sat on my counter and watched me about the house. Occasionally I would check on him and make sure he was drinking and eating. He seemed to be doing so well. One day as I removed the towel that covered his cage each evening he seemed somewhat slow and not as perky as he was usually yet when I checked him, he seemed to be fine. He had eaten and he even sang during the morning. I went about my chores yet each time I passed him he just did not seem the same.

Later that afternoon I noticed he was nestled up in his red fleece blanket yet as I spoke to him he did not move. I opened the door to his cage to check on him and that is when I realized he had passed. I can not tell you how sad I felt as this outcome. He had done so well and seemed to be recouping so good. Yet the release of him back into the wild was not something I was going to be able to witness. I will say that when I first found him and started to care for him I referenced my book on birds as messengers to see what it said about blue birds. It stated that bluebirds were a representation of love. I could definitely see that in all that this little piece of blue beauty brought me in the short time he was with me. I prepared him a small box and lined it with his red fleece blanket. Decorated the box then buried him near the fairy tree.

Thank you to all of you who were so kind in sending words of well wishes for him. I have already seen other fellow bluebirds since and fortunately the cats have not bothered them anymore. Blessings