SEPTEMBER 2021
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 Wednesday 01 September:
Oh my! Another month already! And we're careening into 11 months together now! 11 months! Not only do the days pass too quickly, but the months just seem to follow suit! But this one began SO beautifully: a “morning call to wake up” at about 6.00! Looks like “Mr. Taube”, (Little Yonah, my “Little Guy”, BESTEST COMPANION) decided to “sleep-in”! Still, a new day, a new month and that little face, staring out first thing. NOTHING could be finer, indeed, indeed.
And through the day, a rather “typical September” day, over-cast, not too cool, not too warm, we had some WONDERFUL “Play Time”! Yonah was quite “LOVE ME!” today!
Twice, I had a bit of a lie-down during the day... once, late in the morning, after getting house-chores done and another just after lunch... AND BOTH TIMES, YONAH PULLED A NEW LITTLE “STUNT”: WHEN HE FELT I'D SNOOZED LONG ENOUGH, HE CAME FLYING DOWN, ONTO THE PILLOW, AND INSTEAD OF THE USUAL PECKING AT MY LEG, THIS TIME IT WAS PECKING AT THE TOP OF MY HEAD! And when I opened my eyes, he came round to stare directly into my eyes! WOW! We're getting VERY “personal” and literally “in your face”! But OH! It's PRECIOUS! That little face, those eyes, and the slight tilt of the head as if to say “What are you doing? Do you have any idea of the time?” I mean to say... just WOW!
It NEVER ceases to amaze me, to think, this little guy is from the “wild”, having NO reason or cause to EVER trust a human! And yet, he's come to “know” how I LOVE him so very much, and that there's NOTHING that would EVER cause me to cause him ANY harm, injury, fright... And as a matter of “TRUST”? WELL! Not only does he trust me when we play together, he trusts me enough to come to the pillow... at my face, and he knows he can peck at me... and I wouldn't hurt him, EVER at all!
We even had a bit of a “stroll about the rest of the house” again, today. He sat on my shoulder as I washed a few dishes, and we “chatted” about chores around the place, and what we'd done during the morning hours. And all the while, he “snuggled” against my ear, then, the back of my head. We walked about until we got back to his room and IMMEDIATELY, he took flight and headed back to his house... and by that time, it was time for his “early evening snack”, so he went into his house to eat.
Honestly, truthfully... he's a never-ending source of delight, awe, and he teaches me something new every day... and gives me all the more reason and cause to face each and every moment of each and every day... and he's my “military” against all that the World can throw at me.
Well... of course... photos... And today, we open another month of those as well. Goodness! (I wonder if I could ever get them all printed in a book... It would be fun to get his entire web-site printed as an actual book! Oh... more insanity on my part. But... that's LOVE... it's a little bit of “insanity”, and I'm ENJOYING EVERY BIT OF IT!)
Ah, alas... another day comes to a close... and ALL TOO SOON! Tonight, the “evening routine” took place at about 19.00 already! The sun was setting quickly and I didn't want to “extend the day” by turning lights on in Yonah's room. His “clock” is Nature... not the electric company and I don't want to interfere with that. Bad enough I'm up after the sun sets and in the house listening to radio and what-ever (though NEVER loud, but still...)
Again, tonight, I'm leaving his food in his house so he has it there when he wants it. There were no indications of mice this morning, so I'm hoping it will stay that way... and that we've gotten that “situation” under control.
He was SO affectionate all day today, playful, and “chummy” and tonight was no different. He wanted “cuddles” before settling-in for the night. And of course... cuddles it was until he decided it was all enough. (He lets it be known... by heading off to a different perch and there are no more “wing-snaps”... he just “goes away and ignores me”. It's really sweet, in its way. I'd rather he did that than really “snap” his wings in anger.) Anyway... he's tucked-in, back-board and roof-board on, fresh, clean water in the pool (in case he decides to drop in for a drink during the night... and besides, I just wouldn't leave a day's water in there over-night, no matter what) and in his drinking dish. Clean kitchen roll on his “floor”. He's all set. It's supposed to be another 12° night tonight but... we're going to be together again... I'm taking NO “chances” and if there's to be a “night visitor for dining”, I want to be right there to “attend” to the situation. Not to mention, if it should get chilly in his room, I'll be there to put his radiator on... just in case. I know... 12° isn't cold... and the doves out-side are putting-up with it, but he's not with a flock, he's in his little house, solo. I won't have it that he MUST fluff his feathers against any cold. It just isn't necessary. I won't, don't and didn't make his room “hot” through last Winter, but, “cold” is out of the question... and again, not necessary. So, should there be a “crisp snap” to the night... We've got it covered! “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-indeed”.
So we close the day and open the month and... I give such THANKS for the GIFT, THE HONOUR, THE COMPANION, THE LOVE that is him... as I always have done and always will.
11 months... hard to believe... 11 months... I can't speak for Yonah, but I certainly CAN say that I'm still... in AWE!
Thursday 02 September:
Autumn is silently drifting down the main and into The North Country today. Last night's temperature dropped to 9°! We've returned to the “single-digit” temperatures already. It seems like our “hot days and warm nights” were mere moments ago... and lasted for mere short weeks. How quickly they pass... How quickly “time”, in general, passes.
Yonah woke me with the “call to rise” at about 6.00 again, this morning. The sun is rising later, setting sooner, the nights are longer, days are shorter. And the sun rises lower in the sky each day, passes closer to the South. And when I cast my gaze to my feathered Companion, he was on his perch, where he'd obviously slept, well, through the night (“poop check”... all in the same place where he'd perched last night, for sleep), but this morning, he was “fluffed”, against the chill that managed to make its way into the room in the darkness. Though it lightens my heart, my mood, carries my soul upward to hear and see him in the early morning, this morning's “elation” was tempered... He was “chilled”. No matter how much I do understand that he would have been much cooler last night, “out there” (where he was born and where he was “naturally” intended to live), it troubles me to see him feeling the cold, especially this early in a year, in a season. Well? It appears to be “that time again”, when windows will have to be “sealed” against drafts and winds, and his radiator will be out in the room, ready to give warmth to the night (and soon, too soon, the days too). It wasn't all that long ago when, intermittently, we had that radiator out and running through a night. Actually, this Summer-passed wasn't really all that hot, over all. A few truly hot August nights... “Summer”... that was it. Ah... “The North Country”... the Adirondack mountains...
Truth is, Yonah and I managed well through the Winter of 2020-2021, together. He was as warm and cozy as could be. We'll be the same for the Winter 2021-2022. I'll see to that! Plenty of fresh food, water... and warmth.
My heart aches though... this morning, the humming-birds were at the feeder on the back gallery at 6.00, looking none-the-better for the cool night they'd had to fend against. Thankfully, there was fresh “nectar” in there for them. I make ever-so certain that they have plenty now, more-so than ever. They NEED the nourishment, the energy, to keep them through the night and soon, to help them on their way as they head to the warmer climates... SO MANY MILES AWAY! (There's a part of me that would delight in taking them in for the Winter, save them the trip, guarantee them warmth and nourishment, but... then... I'd like to be able to provide ALL of the little ones “out there” with the same and I AM aware of the fact that, not only is it teetering too far over out of “eccentricity” and into “insanity”... it's interfering with all that “Nature” I'm so fond of. So? So, I do the best I can and hope the little ones who migrate have a safe journey and a happy arrival.) The have fresh, good, nutritious food, and plenty of it... for as long as they're here.
And so the day rolled along... and I spent most of it with my GREAT COMPANION... most of it was working on new “photo” pages for his web-site (this web-site, as a matter of fact), and “re-arranging” some information (like the stats on the life-span of mourning doves and how they're brutally murdered... for “sport”... a statistic that sickens me to my core, and angers me to the point of “indescribable”). All of the photos, videos and pages are on the server. The site is current-to-date again! (I do my utmost to make sure that it's always that way.)
AND... this after-noon was “Winterising”... Windows insulated and sealed where necessary. His room was thoroughly cleaned, radiator cleaned and prepared. (Tonight is expected to be another “single-digit” night and so, yes, his radiator will be on.) The registre for the house-heating was cleaned so that it won't blast dust when the time arrives to have that running as well. Between the insulating and sealing of windows and his “back-board”, Yonah will have NO drafts! (All the while I was working on this chore, I was thinking of last Winter... our first together. He didn't have an actual place, no “house”, just a horrid little make-shift “cage” that sat on a work-table by those windows. No perches. No pool. No trees... Just mesh. And those windows can get so cold of a night. He had the radiator. But it was, other-wise, so dreary! WHAT a difference this year! Nice curtains, perches, trees, a pool... a HOUSE... A PLACE IN A ROOM... BOTH, HIS VERY OWN! His own radio. His own “Play-list” of bird-songs. It's come along a LONG way! And he's got SO MUCH LOVE!.)
THERE'S A VIDEO FROM TODAY AS WELL... !!! AS I WORKED IN HIS ROOM, HE CAME FLYING OVER TO MY SHOULDER AND, AS HE DID, A BIT OF REGGAE MUSIC PLAYED ON THE RADIO. WELL... I STARTED A LITTLE “DANCE” TO THE MUSIC AND HE STAYED ON MY SHOULDER... THROUGH THE “ROCKING” !!! I WAS SO FORTUNATE TO CAPTURE THAT MOMENT ON VIDEO !!! BUT WHAT SENDS ME THROUGH THE HEAVENS IN THAT HE TRUSTS ME ENOUGH !!! HE USED TO DASH BACK TO HIS ROOF-TOP IF I SO MUCH AS TURNED OR REACHED FOR SOMETHING WHILST HE WAS ON MY SHOULDER! NOW, TODAY... WE * DANCED * !!! OH YES, INDEED, TO BE SURE ... SO VERY MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE THOSE EARLIER DAYS !!! SO VERY, *VERY* MUCH!
Well, as all days do, this one comes to a “close”... TOO SOON! TOO SOON! By 19.30, the sky had grown darker and so too, Yonah's room. But tonight, the day closes on a nice, clean room, and tonight, the windows are closed... and the radiator is on... set at “3” out of a possible “6” (what-ever that means... I've never been able to “convert” the settings to actual degrees... Celsius or Fahrenheit. But “3” is good for “maintaining” a warmth on nights that are just “chilled”. “6” had brought the room up to about 25°C so... this is good for tonight. Though, it does bother me just a bit... the colder nights are coming. Tonight, there's a “wind” blowing so, better to be prepared. And I'll be in the room with him again. (Obviously, I'm in no particular rush to get back to my own bed... but that's not going any-where so.... And I have to admit, I DO like sleeping in the room with him. I just hope I don't snore and keep him awake!)
We got quite a bit a accomplished though, today, together. And we did spent all but passing moments together. And there was, in addition to the “dancing”, quite a bit of REAL TOGETHER time... mostly because Yonah wanted it... on my shoulder and such. It's a good “start” to the Winter weather when we'll be in the house even more often (if that's at all possible... I've realised that I haven't really left the house for much of this Summer, save those hours when I HAD to work out-doors). We're going to be just fine... just fine.
So his “back-board” is up, his “roof” is on. Fresh waters and kitchen roll... and he's on his “night perch”. The radiator is on and I'm wrapping things up and will soon join him for the night. Another blessed day... together.
My MOST PRECIOUS AND CHERISHED LITTLE COMPANION!
 Friday 03 September:
Oh... last night certainly was a reminder that the trees on the mountains are losing their deep greens for a serious reason. The temperature over-night did, as promised, drop to a bit of a chill, and a bit deeper than appropriate to the setting on Yonah's radiator. Oops. It didn't get “cold” in his room, but he did wake in a bit of an insulating “fluff”. So tonight, we set the thermostat up “a notch”. As I say, there's no need to keep the room at “tropical”, but there's certainly no reason why Yonah should have to fend against “cold”. I owe him a comfortable room and a comfortable house, and indeed, he shall have just that. No excuses. He didn't seem to “mind”, really. And at 6.00 this morning, it was as if he called “Hey! I'm awake here. I think it's time for the rest of the world to get on with the day.” And yes, we did. “Morning routine” was under way and he was quite happy about it, flying and fluttering about his house as I changed the waters in pool and drinking dish, and putting fresh kitchen roll in. (“Poop check” showed that he'd had quite a calm night, and that ALWAYS does my heart so much good.)
This morning was “grocery shopping”... Yonah first. More of his usual nourishments (as are listed on his “Care” page on his site) and today, I discovered something different, a different brand, different mixture of different sorts of seeds. Made, they say, in the Netherlands! So... “variety”. I've ordered a bag and will give it a try. If Yonah enjoys it and it brings him good health and nutrition, it'll be added to “his list” on his “Care” page. Other-wise, it'll be “commented on” here, in his Journal. We live, we learn, we try.
After a few errands this morning, we had the rest of the day together and I managed my daily “snooze”... and I don't believe I'll EVER come to know how he does it, but again, as is usual, Yonah woke me about 2 minutes before the alarm sounded! Down from his roof-top, onto my leg... pecking at my leg and foot, as if saying “Sleep-time is done! Time for ME!” (Photos, of course, taken and posted.)
As “we” were “working” on today's book-keeping, there was a knock at the front door... “Tante Nancy” came by with... TREATS! Seed sticks with honey and a variety of different seeds and a bag of dried fruits! The fruits have to be chopped very fine because, well, doves don't “bite off” and they don't chew. But that's fine. They'll get minced and mixed with some seeds. Fruits are healthy! And the sticks, well, looks like Yonah has to figure this out. Spray millet is one thing, but these sticks are a bit different. He DID, how-ever, peck at the one that's up and in his house. So we shall see how it works out. “Time” will tell. But Tante Nancy is such an Angel! And she brings “natural” stuff too! ALWAYS welcome!
To my amazement... Yonah had a SWIM today too! It wasn't a particularly “warm” day, and I did turn his radiator off this morning because the sun shone so brilliantly and POURED in through his windows, making his house cozy. But as I was working at the work table, I looked-up to find him in his pool, right up beside the fountain, enjoying the splashing water on his face, and stretching his wings! Well! I never would have thought that he'd be in the water at this point of the season, but then again... his room is warm so I suppose he'll “bathe” when HE sees it appropriate!
When I see him in his pool, I think back to the early days, before I thought of putting the pool in. I did notice how “dry” his legs and feet started to look and it bothered me. But I wasn't sure about putting a dish of water in for him at all times. I'd seen “videos” of people putting dishes of water in for pigeons and such, but nothing on a permanent basis. And, of course, there are videos of parrots and the likes, in the shower. I just didn't know. But my “gut instinct” said “Give it a try.” I'm SO glad I did. And then I think of all the birds I've seen over the years, in other peoples' houses... and there's NEVER a little “bath” for the poor little ones. I don't understand how people CAN'T, DON'T or WON'T think of something so basic as a little place to splash about in. Yes, it's a little effort to make sure the water is clean at all times, but birds in their natural habitat have the rain, the dew, mists, puddles... Honestly! The poor little ones. (Just goes to strengthen my utter disgust with this “bird-selling business”. Just take the money and hand over the bird... not a care or concern in the world other than... CASH! I'm not one for the belief in a “Hell”, but if one does exist, I hope there's a special one for people who abuse little creatures, “critters”... a special “cage”, confined space, no bathing, what-ever.)
 Enough of that... Yes, of course, photos of the bathing were taken AND are posted to the appropriate pages already!
And so... sadly... today turned to this evening entirely too quickly. But Yonah and I had some FUN, PLAY, and LOVING during the day and we listened to the radio, and he “woo-HOO'ed”, I “sang”, we chatted, and now, as the sun is gone from the sky and the night is coming in full, he's on his “night perch”, back-board up, radiator on... his room is nice and cozy for the night... and again, (yes, again), I'll join him later. (I happen to enjoy knowing he's right there, I DO enjoy his wake-up call and seeing him... first thing in a day, and I tend to believe he enjoys the over-night company as well... I'll be returning to my room on the week-end, right next to his, but for now... )
And tonight, with this post, his site is up to date to the moment... Photos and all! Hey HEY! THAT'S MY LOVE, MY HEART, MY SOUL, MY COMPANION! PRECIOUS AND MOST-CHERISHED!
 Saturday 04 September:
We had an ENTIRE day together! Yes, indeed, we did! And I woke and was up and about BEFORE a “call” this morning. OK. It was only just before 6.00, but when I got up and “checked-in”, Yonah was on his “night spot” and he was, in fact, awake. He saw me get up (because, yes, again, I spent another night on his futon) and he gave the quietest little “woo”, almost as if “Well!” “Well”, indeed. “Morning routine” got started because the day-light was approaching and we were both awake and I had a “task” to get to that I knew would take the entire day (and it did).
By about 8.00, I was “stationed” at the work table and into the “task at hand”, and Yonah? Well, he was “busy”... As a matter of fact, he was ALL OVER THE ROOM, ALMOST NON-STOP, ALL THROUGH THE DAY! If not on his roof, he was on the wall shelves. And as I worked at the table, I'd hear the familiar “flutter” of wings and the next thing I knew, I felt the “landing”... on my shoulder, on my head, on the back of the chair. It was almost hysterically funny! I was in the room but, obviously, the company was appreciated but what wasn't appreciated was that the “company” wasn't paying enough attention! He's a RIOT!
Oh, I remember well, reading the accounts of doves “seeking the people in the house”, “taking interest in the goings-on”. There's “mention” of doves requiring contact and COMPANIONSHIP but I had NO idea that Yonah would become SO “attached”. (Truth? I thought I'd be the one to become “attached” and that he'd just sort of resent my attentions and affections. OH NO! It appears, the affections AND the attentions are mutual! Hooduh thunk it?)
I took a quick, 15-minute “break” for my mid-day coffee and as I sat in the kitchen, OH, it was quite clear that my absence was noticed. The calls kept coming, as it were. “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo” and “woo-WOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”! And as I sat at table, finishing... WOOSH! YONAH CAME FLYING OUT OF HIS ROOM TOWARD THE BACK DOOR BUT DIDN'T STAY... HE JUST TURNED ROUND AND WENT BACK INTO HIS ROOM! IT WAS SERIOUSLY AS IF HE COME TO “CHECK” TO SEE IF I WAS “THERE”! And when I got back into the room... “WING-SNAPS”! So cuddles and play were called-for before resuming my own task. Ah... AND I LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT!
This evening, as I prepared dinner, I tried to see if Yonah would enjoy being in the kitchen with, so I made a bit of a “platform” for him, a-top the clothes-drying rack. Card-board covered with kitchen roll, similar to the board he has on his roof. I brought him to the kitchen on my shoulder, placed him on the platform and for a few, brief moments, he just stood there, looking about, as if in a strange sort of land. He KNOWS the kitchen. He's been in every room in the house. And he's been through the kitchen to get to the living-room where he likes to “hang out” on the futon. But... as I say, a few brief moments and he was off... back to “his” room and “his” house and “his” roof-top. Oh well... maybe some other day.
So I got most of my own task completed (with the breaks, of course), had my meal and sadly, by the time I'd done the washing-up... the day was already turning to “late evening”! OH! The time goes too quickly! So, waters and kitchen roll have been changed and we've had a LOT of play-time after. His room grew dark and, as he does... he headed for his “night perch”! He knows... THAT'S his comfortable place at night.
And... the “back-board” is on, the little “roof board” as well. Tonight's forecast is for 13°, so, the window that was WIDE open today, after the morning “chill”, is now closed and the radiator is on... just in case.
It was a beautiful, sun-drenched, comfortable day today, and tomorrow is “threatening” a bit of rain so, better to be “prepared” for “damp”. My little guy has his pool for humidity in the air, but “damp”, in September? That usually brings a “damp chill” and there's no need for him to have to be so bothered by or with any of that!
His futon is “prepped”... I'll be in for the night in short order. But mean-while... It was a BEAUTIFUL day all round and I'm looking forward to another one tomorrow... though not so “occupied” with “tasks” and “chores”. We'll have MUCH time together and we'll see what we get to do with it... when it arrives. (I'm looking forward to being with him for most of it... a LOT of “most”!) That's my GUY and my LIFE!
 Sunday 05 September:
Yonah is lunching at 12.13 after a morning of “hiding” on the upper wall shelf. Though, I have to admit, I wasn't in the room from the moment the morning routine was completed. Honestly, Yonah SHOWS when he's feeling “off” or “alone”. It hurts me to the core to see him that way. But we have an after-noon and into the night together. And as soon as I moved the lap-top into his room and to the work table, sat down and began to type... FLUTTER FLUTTER FLUTTER AND LANDING... ON MY HEAD! OH! HE'S ... “SOME-THING”!!! AND BEAUTIFUL! LOVABLE! ADORABLE!
It's 14.14 (nice time...?) and I HAVE to make a notation here: This morning, I woke with a bit of pain in the left side of what I can only describe as my “breast”. It feels like a “muscle strain” more than much else, but it's been constant all day, thus far and it's exhausting. Hasn't stopped me from getting to the laundry and some house-keeping, and yes, I have, several times, considered a run to the local “ER”... “considered”, but I just don't want to leave Yonah alone for the HOURS it takes for them to figure things out. The point of the matter is: Yonah's been keeping SO CLOSE to me all the while I've been in his room! He's having a little something to eat as I type but other-wise, as I sit at the work table, he flies around me, has stopped to “roost” on the back of the chair, on the shelf to my right, sets on the little extended perch at his house to my left... And when I was on the futon earlier, the chair was beside it and he came to roost on the back of it, and stared at me. It truly IS as if he “knows” that “something isn't quite 'right'”. I wonder: Does he sense my discomfort? Does he actually “know” more than I do? This “pain” IS taking a bit of my energy today. Not, as I say, to the point where I can't keep a “normal routine” of a day. But it is of a degree where I've considered going to the ER (and THAT'S quite something for me... I dislike the very notion of going to them).
How I WISH I knew some-one I could trust to give him the care and attention I give him, that he SO deserves and is owed and due. Nancy said she'd take care of him, should anything ever happen to me. And it's not that I don't believe she would. But even she admits to being quite easily and readily distracted. And I most seriously doubt she'd be bothered with the likes of putting up the “back-board” in the evening, making sure the waters in his house are fresh twice daily. I'm more certain such things would be of such and “inconvenience”. The very thought: head-lights flashing into the room at night, and the water in the pool going stale and stagnant. Then too, the recent infestation of mice, and nobody in the house to keep them under control... even if for one night.
Well, right now we'll let this roll and see how it develops. Hopefully an “ER visit” won't be necessary at all, and especially not this evening. (The last one, a year ago, lasted just over 3 hours and if I were to go now, I wouldn't be back until after 17.30 tonight... Sure, that's good timing for water changes, “back-board” and such. And I'd be here to make sure the room doesn't go cold over-night...)
Yonah is the ONLY reason I've done ANYTHING with regard to my health. Last year, when I went to the ER, they wanted me to go through all sorts of “follow-up” procedures. That was in August. I had NO interest in “follow-up” of any kind. I know that I have “difficulties and complications” with certain aspects of my “general health”. I chose to simply keep with a “wait and see”. But, came October... 13th to be precise and Yonah. He changed everything. I figured, as has already been documented, that he'd recover and return to the out-doors or, he wouldn't and... In any event, I'd have no reason or excuse to “follow up” and I was comfortable with that. BUT, when I saw that he and I would be together through the Winter, I started to “address” my “situation”, at least to maintain “good health” through the Winter. Well! Now? Yonah is here, we're together, and I have an “obligation”... moral, ethical, and all-other-wise to see to it that he's given ALL that he requires (and then some, of course). And if he's to be around for the next 4 or 5 years, I really MUST be here for the duration. It's as I've said all along: I want to be here for as long as he's here and when he “leaves”, I won't have any reason or cause to “hang about”. And times like today, when he's staying so close to me, it's MOST obvious: WE CARE ABOUT AND FOR EACH-OTHER and I will NOT betray that... and I will NOT abandon him! So... my “tomorrow”... my “later” rests o him... MY LOVE and, as I say with NO exaggeration, my LIFE!
Well... the day is rolling along and Yonah's resting on his moss in his house... RIGHT BESIDE ME. We'll see what the time brings. If necessary, after he's “tucked-in” this evening, I'll take a run to the ER to poking and prodding. At least then, he'll be safe, waters will be fresh, his house will be fresh, food will be plenty. I won't be staying the night at hospital, of course. But at least, if it takes, let's say, from 19.00-22.00 or even 20.00-23.00, I'll be able to get back on time to lay on the futon with him tonight. He'll be “in bed” for the time I'll be away but we'll wake up together tomorrow. And if I manage through the night here and don't feel better in the morning, I can get the “morning routine” done and head out for the 3-4 hours in the morning.
I'm slipping back into the “early days” of last year when I felt so TERRIBLY ALONE, where Yonah is concerned. I'm feeling that “ALONE” again... there's just nobody to turn to, nobody I believe I can trust, implicitly and extensively. Yonah obviously wants companionship. He obviously cares for and about me, and it's not simply a matter of “food, shelter, protection”... he KNOWS it's MORE than just that, AND IT'S MORE THAN “INSTINCT”. Leaving him... just the thought makes me sick to my stomach.
Well, well... it's 19.08 and waters have been changed, there's plenty of food for the night. The window is closed and the radiator is on... I'll be putting the boards up shortly. The day draws to a close. - Sadly, I'm preparing for a visit to the local Emergency tonight. I'm feeling quite terrible. Woke with that “pain” in the chest and thought it would “work itself out” during the day but it's just getting worse. If Yonah wasn't here tonight, I'd “sleep on it”, but... I don't want to leave him alone for the hours I'll be away tonight, and I dread the thought of them dragging things out, which they probably will, especially since it's a holiday week-end and they'll need all sorts of “tests” and then somebody to “read” them. I'm going to regret this. But an EKG and perhaps a quick x-ray... I just don't want to risk going to bed tonight and not waking tomorrow morning! I WON'T do that to Yonah! Better to have an idea what's going on. Of course, I won't accept being “admitted”. I just CAN'T stay away from my COMPANION that long!
The “plan”: I'll send Nancy a “text” (and hope she gets it at some point before morning) asking her to come in and open Yonah's door in the morning, if my truck isn't here. She's usually up early and out and about. Open his door so he has run of the house, and turn the radio on so there's some “sound” in the house. (My heart is breaking, if there isn't anything else wrong with it... just thinking of him waking to an empty house tomorrow. But, as I say: better to “know” or have an idea what's going on ... I think of the guy down the road who, as I was told, fell asleep on the sofa one night and the next morning... he'd had a heart attack over-night. I WON'T do that to Yonah!) Best to address this all now... not take “chances”... not risk... A few hours tonight beats a few days away.
I'm sitting at the work table as I type this. The room is getting dark and Yonah is on the perch at his door. He's been “attentive” to me all day. I swear... He KNOWS something's just not right. This is SO difficult for me!
The temperature is another threatened 12° for tonight which means “quite chilly”. I'm relieved though... Yonah has a radiator in his room.
To think, fresh linens on his futon and I have it all made for a night's sleep! Oh well... Sometimes we just MUST do what we must... like it or not.
My PRECIOUS LITTLE HEART AND SOUL! Well, I'm about to make it abundantly clear to the folks at the ER: I HAVE AN OBLIGATION OF A MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS! LET'S GET TO IT!
I SO LOVE MY BESTEST COMPANION, MY ONLY FAMILY, MY LITTLE GUY, MY MOST PRECIOUS AND CHERISHED LOVE! I guess, tonight, I have to have some sort of “faith” that he'll be held in the “Divine” hands of some “Great Almighty”... the one who saw to it that Yonah didn't perish on the after-noon of 13 October 2020. I suppose I just have to have faith... (I wish I did... but I'm holding to the fact that Yonah didn't perish, wasn't torn to shreds, and has, for these months, had protection, against all things that would cause him harm. Something saw to that... May that continue... I'll be back... I WILL be back... before sun-rise, and we'll have another day... and many more days... together.)
Monday 06 September:
Oh my poor little PRECIOUSLY CHERISHED little guy! Yonah was awake when I got back in from a most-relieving visit to the local Emergency Room last night. (The pains were caused by having pulled some cartilage, which most-likely happened when I emptied the pail of water from a recent “water change” in his pool. It's usually about 15 litres/4 gallons, and it does get rather heavy. But I have to say that it did feel more like something involving the heart or a collapsed lung, which the folks in hospital understood. What a relief to know that it was something MUCH less serious and that it will all pass with-in a week or two. Meanwhile, I'm MUCH MORE conscious of my motions and movements now, to be sure.) Anyway, I got back at 23.30 (11.30PM) and as I walked in the door, I heard a gentle “woo-HOO!” as if he said “You're BACK!” IMMEDIATELY, I sent Nancy a “text” message to let her know that I was back and that all was well. (She'd kept in constant contact with me as I was in hospital, and offered to come to the house during the night to check on Yonah! She LOVES him so much! But then, there's nothing about him that isn't LOVABLE!) And THEN, went directly into his room. As I entered, in the dark, he gave a soft “hoo”. I broke into tears, from missing him, being so relieved that all was well and that I was back and, well, at the thought that HE NOTICED THAT I WASN'T IN THE HOUSE FOR THOSE 3 HOURS! Again... “not sentient”? People really need to get their notions screwed correctly. There's more sentience in these little ones than in all too many people. And so, I told him of the “good news”, assuring him that yes, all was well and now we can go on looking forward to the years to come... TOGETHER! He was quite calm, apparently knowing that he wasn't alone, and I calmed, knowing that he was OK and that we'd be together through the rest of the night.
Ah... but in spite of the little commotion of last night, my DEAR BESTEST FRIEND was up and calling the day to order at just before 6.00 this morning! And I, hearing him, woke with a smile and some more tears. The smile because he and I were together and the tears because of my renewed relief that we were together and that we have the assurance of MANY MORE such mornings... together. If his life expectancy is the “average” of 5 years, we have that to look forward to... at the very least. All I can say is that, no matter what's in our future, I will do ALL I humanly can to make certain that I am here for him, to provide for him, no matter how long. He's my SOUL, my HEART, my LIFE! And for ALL of his LIFE, I WILL be here to provide the absolute BEST for him, in every possible way.
Well... “morning routine” was attended to and our day got under way. I had a few more “items” around the house to take care of, and he had an open window and although it was a bit over-cast, a “comfortable” day of fresh air and the softest breezes.
Of a note: I got called-away out-side for a few hours during the day and, I have to remark at the “conditions” in his house that I returned to. OH MY! He was OBVIOUSLY NOT THRILLED with my absence! I was only just out-side the back door, so he could hear me talking with the neighbours. But, apparently, he was vexed, hearing my voice and not having my presence because he'd pecked at the moss and actually tossed some of it out and onto the floor in his room! He'd done that once before, in a similar situation. So yes, mourning doves CAN be annoyed and aggravated and they CAN and WILL make it known. When I got back to him, instead of the usual greeting of the “wing-snap” with both wings, I was “greeted” with a “one wing extension”, which I've come to learn is defence or a sign of anger. I've seen mourning doves do the same action out-side, especially when defending their place at the feeder. And Yonah does it when he's not in the mood for “playing” and I try to give a cuddle too many. So, I softly offered a great many apologies and was, after a little while, allowed to give a few, gentle strokes on his breast and lift him up and to my shoulder where-upon, I got several “stern” pecks on the ear. (Again... “not sentient”? I could make comments... most of which aren't suitable for print, as they say, about such a statement.)
All of this just goes to show and prove, beyond possible doubt, that mourning doves most certainly ARE AMAZING, REMARKABLE, BRILLIANT beings, MOST and QUITE capable of emotion. Between the “bonding” that Yonah has made, OF HIS OWN CHOOSING, and the differences in his moods and actions when he's happy and displeased, oh, those who claim it's impossible are obviously unfamiliar with the actualities. And this also proves that mourning doves DO appreciate and REQUIRE COMPANIONSHIP, just as, to say, parrots and other such birds.
Apologies accepted, we settled again, I at the work table and he where-ever his whims brought him, from the wall shelves where he seems to truly enjoy spending time, to his roof-top, on his futon and all about his room. We had one “walk about the house”, him on my shoulder, but as soon as I got near to the door to his room, he was OFF and AIR-BORNE... back to his roof-top. He has a particularly obvious “comfort” in being in HIS room, on HIS roof-top, on HIS house, and he makes that known.
Ah, but today, as these recent days do, came to a close all too soon and “tuck-in”, with water changes and “light block boards” were put in place... radiator on again tonight... we're not about to break the “low teens” for the fore-seeable future any more. Ah, alas. His window closed, and the radiator giving his room a nice warmth, my “little guy” is safe, sound, protected, LOVED, CHERISHED and tonight... we're together... as we're going to be for quite some time to come.
In 7 days, we'll be together 11 months... we're approaching our “1 Year Anniversary” !!! It doesn't seem possible, and I'm SO glad I kept the notes and this Journal because it's a WONDERFUL reminder of our “earlier days” together, and seeing Yonah today, flying about HIS room, and being greeted by him when I enter, hearing his calls... My heart is SO FULL, and I remain, as I most-likely will... in AWE !!! EVERY day, even when it's “just another day” is AWE-FULL, because, well, each day is a reminder of our “Journey” together, and every day, there's a lesson he teaches me... even a small lesson, but none-the-less, he's my teacher and I'm his always-curious student.
Tuesday 07 September:
It's only just about 19.30 (7.30PM) and Mr. Yonah is already “tucked-in” for the night. The mourning doves in the yard have come for their “evening snack” and gone to tuck themselves in for the night so, I take their cue. I'm to understand that mourning doves usually take 10-14 hours of rest per day, and Yonah... well, I believe he goes to sleep when he's tired, even though I tend to stay awake for some time after his “tuck-in”. But then, he gets to “snooze” during the day as well. But I try to keep things on his routine around the house. Anyway, it's a little “sad” at this time of year, when the sun sets so early in a day, rises later in the morning. We don't have much “day time” together. (Although, he still wakes me at about 6.00 or 6.30 and yes, I'm still sleeping on his futon so we're “together” over-night. And I DO believe he notices that... And I've become so accustomed to sleeping in his room now that, well, breaking that and going back to my own bed is... let's just say, I'll be with him again tonight. No shame... I admit it, I just don't like the notion of not being “there” with him over-night, and I don't like the notion of him not being “there” in the morning. But... one of these days... I'll get back to my own bed... I think.)
Anyway... THIS morning, oddly enough, I woke BEFORE Yonah called. And I laid there, waiting for the call too. When, after some moments, I heard nothing, I got up to check him and there he was, on his perch, on the other side of his house, not where he usually sleeps. He'd been up and about already but let me “sleep-in”, as it were, for an extra half hour. SO SWEET! (I was rather exhausted last night and I appreciated the extra time to “snooze”.)
So, I got up, got my coffee and my own “morning routine” running and by about 8.30... we got to “business”:
The kitchen roll under his pool needed replacing and so... I took advantage of the situation and... the pool got disassembled! It got a thorough scrubbing, and the fountain pump and tubing got a thorough vinegar-water flush for about 45 minutes! (I do a 50/50 water/vinegar flush for the 45 minutes, followed by a “clear water flush”, where I set the pump and tubing in his “pool” but I have the out-put in the basin and let the tap run fresh water into the pool and out into the basin. That way, no trace of vinegar in tubing or pool, and that too, is about 45 minutes. Hey! It's as I say where his water is concerned: I I would drink it, it doesn't belong in his house. So there.)
As I worked in his house, Yonah “supervised” from his roof-top, watching as I removed the kitchen roll, wiped the “tray” that's under it, got the fresh paper together and laid that and re-installed his pool (and the potted white pine that goes with it). Honestly, he's SO intent when he watches me in his house! It's amazing. He has an obvious “interest” in what goes on!
By 11.00 we were done, the pool was back up and running... with fresh, clean water, the kitchen roll was fresh and clean and fresh food was served... just in time for “brunch”, as is Yonah's usual routine where eating is concerned. (I'll NEVER understand why there's so much stress, in what I've read, about not leaving food available at all times for mourning doves. Yonah eats what he wants, when he wants, and he has a bit of a routine about it: a little in the early morning, a little more late morning/early after-noon, more at “dinner-hour” and a light snack before retiring. I've always made sure that he has fresh food available all through a day and night and, well, it's almost 11 months, WOW... in a week!, and he's SURELY NOT “fat”! He's just as slim and trim as the mourning doves in the yard. So, so much for the “only feed them on a schedule”. Never mind that. THEY KNOW when they're hungry. Honestly!) So he had a bite to eat and I cleaned the little “mess” I'd made doing the house-work, and moved into his room for the day... at the work table, to work on more of his “calling cards” (he now has about a dozen and I have a “sheet” at the ready for when I need/want more... to print on water-colour paper... fancy) and a few other items that needed attention today.
After a bit of cloudiness, it was another really quite beautiful day... open window, sun pouring in, and comfortably warm, not humid! Delightful! Last night was a bit on the “chilly” side, but Yonah's radiator kept us both quite warm. Tonight's not supposed to be as chilly, but his radiator is on anyway, just to be sure he's not even in the slightest, chilled.
And I TRULY MUST NOTE... as I was getting things together for this evening's routine of water changes and such... the phone rang... HIS PHONE NUMBER! I don't know that anybody other than “Tante Nancy” has it, and she uses it to send text messages, but, of ALL the places... some-how, the local “YMCA” called! (I didn't answer because I didn't recognise the caller number but...) I had to laugh a bit when I told Yonah “The YMCA is calling you. Did you pay your gym membership? Or is it due for renewal? Maybe they just want a contribution? What do you think? Send them a cheque?” What made it all the funnier... he STARED RIGHT AT ME AS I TOLD HIM THIS AND IT LOOKED AS IF HE WAS THINKING “Have you gone completely insane?” As I say, THAT REALLY made the entire situation all the more amusing! One thing, at least we know his number actually rings-through! (We should activate his “voice-mail”... have him record a message. I can only just imagine when the “voice-mail” picks up and the caller hears “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo” and then the “tone” to record a message. Ah... I just might!
And so, that was our day today, together, with several breaks for cuddles, snuggles, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! And now, the sun's completely set and night has arrived and, Yonah's tucked-in and calm, and warm, and safe... and LOVED, and CHERISHED! (And I'll be on the futon beside him in short order.) Another day in the Life and Times of Yonah Taube... MY HEART AND SOUL!
Wednesday 08 September:
We had quite the day today! Sadly (for me in particular, I have to say), Yonah had the house entirely to himself for the morning hours... I had to get out for shopping for three hours. I can't be too sure how HE takes it, but I'm a wreck when I'm away from the house for that long... because I MISS HIM SO MUCH! No, I don't worry about him flying about the house. Not any more. He's made it very obvious that he knows how to “navigate” the rooms, and, unlike the “early days”, with-out any “collisions”. And I make sure that there's nothing about that could harm him (like hot stoves, open taps, closed showers... those sorts of things). I just miss him, miss being with him. (Today, on the travels back to the house, I pondered whether or not he'd enjoy being with me on little “road trips”, and how he could come along. But, I doubt he'd be comfortable in the truck, as we rolled along. He did VERY well when we'd gone up, into the mountains to the doctor's office, but I don't want to “push” something of that sort. So... I pondered... and let that notion go.) It really is just me: missing his companionship and worrying about him feeling “alone”. I do put shopping aside for when it's necessary and today, well, it was.
Ah, but when I got back into the house... THERE HE WAS, lounging on his moss, in the sun-shine. And the moment I walked in the door... “woo-HOO!” He called to me and I replied with a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo”... to which HE replied “woo-HOO!” and “life” as we know it, returned.
He woke me, this morning, at the usual 6.15 and I was quite happy because I got an early start to the day and was back in before noon.
So today, I got new sheers for his windows. I'd had “off-white” on there all along, but wanted white, so that, especially come Winter, the room would be as bright as possible. Yonah got new curtains for his windows. And, unusual for me, I got a larger package of kitchen roll... so we're prepared for a bit of a long-run now when “house-keeping” comes along. (I'm beginning the “Winter prep” now, so that, if there's ever a storm and we're stuck in the house, there won't be any panic over “necessities”.)
It was my usual DELIGHT when I put up the new curtains! I had to “move house” to get to the windows and Yonah was SO INTRIGUED by the motion of his house and the “new location”, more in the centre of his room. But he took it all in stride and headed for his “perfect vantage point” on the wall shelves where he kept a careful and curious watch of my every move. My “Supervisor”. It truly IS fascinating to see how AWARE of each and every bit of movement there is in his room that he is. Then again, he's obviously aware of “presence”, even if and when I'm sitting at the work table, typing, and when I have a lie-down, still, on his futon. He “KNOWS” when I'm in the room (obviously, because he comes over to “roost” on me as I snooze). I keep remembering that account, on-line, in my reading, where it's said that doves will take an active interest in the goings-on in a house-hold. OH YES... INDEED... THIS ONE CERTAINLY DOES!
Well, the white sheers do make a nice difference in the lightness of the room and today the sun shone beautifully through the windows. And when I was finished, I put his house back by the open window where the breezes blew in and he returned for a quick snack. (It really is a blessing to have his place on wheels! Especially at times like today. And when the Winter sets-in, it'll be wonderful to be able to move him away fro the windows at night, farther from any cold that might come through the glass.)
This evening... I was sitting in Yonah's room when I heard a bit of a “thump” at the front door and when I went to look... HIS NEW, FRESH FOOD ARRIVED! And THIS isn't just his usual “Healthy Select” and “Pure Fun”... today, we got a new mix, supposedly “Made In The Netherlands”. “White Mill Pure” canary and finch food. Allegedly “all natural”. In addition to the “common” mixes of canary grass, millet, milo and such, THIS has turnip seed, peeled oats, brown perilla, chia seed, ground oyster shell, dried banana, dried papaya, dried mango, dried apple, alfalfa meal, wheat meal, dried oregano, dried egg and other nifty ingredients! HEY! I don't know that Yonah will like any of it, but, a bit of a variety in meals... Tomorrow I'll put some in a separate little dish and see what he thinks of it. If he enjoys it, there's plenty more, and it'll be my pleasure to see to it that he gets as much as he likes. If he doesn't? Well... we'll see what the doves in the yard think of it. SOMEBODY'S bound to enjoy SOME of it... even if it's the cardinals, finches and such. At least it's a source of good nutrition and that's my main concern. We shall see... I seriously doubt he'll eat anything that doesn't please him. (It's obvious that he picks through the seeds he's been getting all along... and, I'm rather surprised that he doesn't like Niger seeds. Supposedly they're quite the “gourmet delight” for birds. Ah well... He has them anyway, even though he obviously picks them out of his dish and puts them to the side... or the floor... or where-ever they may land as he sorts.)
In other “news”, he REALLY IS MOULTING! WOW! Feathers are flying about all over the place! And this evening, a tail feather was on the moss in his house! Again, I say, I'm glad I learned about this already in October last year when he arrived, other-wise, I'd be in a panic. It's almost enough to make me nervous, seeing all these feathers about. But, yes, it IS “that time of year” and yes, I DO have ALL the feathers he shed last Autumn. So? So. And he DID shed A LOT last year. (I can hardly wait to see him in his “new attire” this year. After all the “special” diet, he should be GLOWINGLY BRILLIANT!
Tonight, as we did the “evening routine” (water change and such), he flew to the pot beside his house where the orange tree is growing and he was SO intent on pecking in the potting soil! He's done that once before and I can't, for the life of me, figure-out what he finds attractive in there. Maybe I'll have to get some “sterile” soil to add to his house? Well... more “research” is due.
And WOW! HE'S REALLY DROPPING FEATHERS LATELY! AND TONIGHT, A TAIL FEATHER! I remember, well, and looking at the photos in his “Portfolio” is “documentation”, in the months of October and November last year, he dropped almost ALL of his tail feathers. I was SURE it was a “bad sign”. But then I remembered that birds “moult” and the research then mentioned it as well. So I waited to see what would happen. In a photo from December (31st, 2020, as a matter of fact), his tail was “trimmed” in white by the time he'd dropped so many feathers. But, it wasn't long after that when the dark brown feathers grew back. So I'm thinking (and HOPING) that it's just “that time of year”. It's un-settling, but moulting is a course of Nature. Bless him.
OH! AND WE HAD QUITE THE STORM THIS EVENING... A CLAP OF THUNDER AND A VERITABLE DELUGE CAME POUNDING DOWN! Rain. Wind. It was quite something for about an hour or more! Yonah? It was if nothing at all was happening. Birds are amazing! Where cats and dogs despise a vacuum-cleaner and such, he doesn't mind it at all. And with the storm, life went on as usual. Calm. Collected... as if it were just another evening. I'm telling you, HE'S AMAZING! But by about 19.00... all was still once again, and the “storm”? Never happened... (And I kept thinking: There you are little guy, out of the wind, the rain, the storm, safe, sound, dry.. protected and LOVED! Though my heart went out to the doves in the wild... I always think of them... “out there”.)
Ah... well, the day moved into evening and with the “evening routine”, he was determined to stay under the orange tree! It was like trying to get a child to get ready for bed! And, I have to admit, amusing. No matter how I tried to coax him back to his house, he found ALL sorts of places to fly away to! But, by 19.45, after almost exhausting me (mostly because I was laughing because of his determination), he “tucked-in” for the night.
I have to admit... I made-up his futon... for another night together. I missed him so much this morning, and tonight, just felt as though I owed him the “together” time. Hey... no problem for me. I'm comfy on the futon... and to be honest, more at peace with his company.
Thursday 09 September:
A bit of a night for me, last night... I get horrific muscle spasms some nights and last night was one of those. So, after the second bout of having to get up to “walk them off”, I decided to go to my bed and not disturb Yonah again. It felt so odd, being in “my” room AND waking up NOT beside him!
I was up at 6.15 and Yonah “called” shortly there-after. OH! To me, it sounded like “HEY! WHERE ARE YOU?” So I went, immediately, into his room. Poor little guy... I wondered if he wondered what was going on with the empty futon. He DOES notice when I'm there napping, he MUST have noticed I wasn't there when he woke this morning. I felt “guilty” and as we did “morning routine” we had one of our “chats”. I told him what had happened during the night and he? Well... he took off on his usual “morning tour”... and as I went about changing the waters and kitchen roll, he headed for his “shelf” to watch. Oh well... I felt guilty anyway.
I was exhausted and at about 9.00, I had a lie-down on his futon and he came to the perch at his door and stood there, looking at me as I rested. When I woke, some time later, he was in his house, on his perch, staring at me, as if he'd been “watching” all along. (I wouldn't doubt he did.)
It was time for me to make a “local run” to the market and to get more food for the birds out-side (most of which Yonah actually still gets because that's what he was having when he got attacked... 11 months ago). So I RAN and got back quickly and set to “sifting” the “Wild Song-bird” food that Yonah and the rest obviously like so much. (It's listed on his “Care/Nurtition” page.) It took about 90 minutes to sift the smallest seeds out for him but today... HE'S GOT FOOD! And enough for at least the next month. Since doves don't “shell/hull” seeds and can't swallow whole peanuts and there are many of those in a “Wild” mix, I sift out the smallest seeds for him and put them aside. I mix them with the other, special mixes so he has quite a variety to choose from.
A neighbour saw me bringing the bag of seed into the house and said, “I see you have the birds taken care of.” to which I replied, “Always! Them first, above and beyond ALL else.” The local folks know Yonah's story (I've made it well-known) and they all say that they admire my dedication. (I joke about being the “Crazy old man and the bird”. They tell me it's “endearing”. So I'm not alone in my LOVE for Yonah... though I'm rather certain that the others don't feel it quite as profoundly... although Nancy might, if she'd ever get to really KNOW Yonah.)
Oh, and I put some of his “new mix” in a little dish, separate from his usual. I'm curious to see if/how he likes it. Hopefully, he will.
Anyway... the day rolled along from there as a day will and I CAN'T DESCRIBE HOW MUCH MOULTING HE'S DOING! FEATHERS ALL OVER THE PLACE! I'm about to save them and make a (mini) DUVET! It's almost sad to see and still some-what concerning. But I'm REALLY curious to see what feathers grow in to replace these. It'll tell me quite a bit about his general health. And he's had a “season” (11 months) of highest quality, best nutrition food, fresh water, sun-light and fresh air. It'll be MOST interesting to see how well (or not) I've done. (He's still due, though, for a “doctor visit” and I HAVE to get to that... It's almost a YEAR already... Time... it just passed SO and TOO quickly, and here we are, still together.)
So, as the day went, he listened to his “bird-songs play-list” and, for the most part, lounged in his moss. He REALLY DOES enjoy having that in there. (I'm going to figure out how to grow it in the house for him... so we have some over the Winter and, if grown in the house, at least I'll now “what's” in it?)
It was a cloudy but warm day, and just a touch on the “damp” side. (Last night's storm took a quite-large limb down on an old maple tree in the back. I never heard it come down but there it was, across the drive when I went out to the store. Thankfully, today was calm.) Tonight's forecast is for 14°, tomorrow's “high” only 18° and tomorrow's LOW... a mere 8°! (Thankfully not “minus” 8°! That storm... After that, we get back to 20s for the days and teens at night. Whew!
FUN TIME this evening... At about 16.23 we took a bit of a stroll about the house... Yonah on my shoulder (and across my back to the opposite shoulder and back and forth). We stopped to have a look out the back door. We've done that before, but he's never really taken any “interest” in the back yard... usually heads right back to his house, but this evening he looked out and appeared “interested”. The neighbour next door made a slight “bumping” noise with something in her house and he took notice, tilting his head to look closer out the screen! We stood there a while and I talked about the yard, the “little garden” where the “new feeder” is for the other birds, and about that being where he was last year at almost this time. Ah... my little LOVE! POOR SWEETNESS! But today, he gets to look at it and NEVER have to worry about EVER being “attacked” or “injured” again! SO LONG AS MY LUNGS DRAW BREATH!
When we continued our “tour” and got to the front door, he took off... for the futon there. He's always liked that futon for some reason and it's cute because he blends right in with the colours in the cover! (Maybe that's the attraction: “If I'm here, nobody will notice me. I'll hide, right in front of them.” It was time for me to start my evening meal, and he was SO happy being there, I left him on his own and went to the kitchen. He did NOT want to go back to his room... well... not at the moment. OK! So it was 16.55 and my cooking was done and I was sitting table when... JUST at that moment... WOOSH FLUTTER FLUTTER !!! Out of the living-room, through the kitchen and into his room! Directly. Non-stop! He knows where he is, knows where his house is and how to get there! It's ASTOUNDING! And so, that's where he went... AND HE HAD HIS DINNER AS I HAD MINE! BRILLIANT LITTLE FELLOW, THAT YONAH!
Well then, the day turned to night, I went in for “evening routine” and to “gather the multitudinous quantity of feathers”... mostly down but another tail feather tonight. And again, this evening, Yonah didn't really want to settle-in for the night. So I just went about what gets done (water, kitchen roll... &c.) and when I'd done, I “coaxed” him into his house. He headed to his “other” perch where, as he's been doing evenings of late, he “coo's” to his reflection in one of his mirrors. It's almost as if he's saying “I suppose it's time for us to get some sleep here so... good night to you...oo-oo-oo.” Precious little one. (If I knew he wouldn't resent it, I swear I'd get him a companion... a ring-neck... if I could find one available for adoption.. since I REFUSE to support the “business” of selling little ones as they do. But I don't know that he'd appreciate the “competition for affection” and I don't want another little bird suffering... so...) So, and, as I put the light out for the night, he headed to his “sleep roost”, I made the futon up... yes, again... and we call another day... “Done”. Tomorrow? I've MUCH to do at the work table... and I'm SURE Yonah's got plans for MUCH play-time and I'm looking forward to it... the play time... especially in particular, and what little “surprises” he'll come up with...as he does. MY HEART!
Friday 10 September:
OO-oo-oo... Another tail feather dropped today! Yonah's tail is now quite “white” at the ends... again. Honestly, I'm glad we went through this already, the moulting. I look at the photos of 31 December 2020 and I remember thinking, then, how quite attractive the white was on his tail, but it was noticeably shorter and that concerned me. “Balance”, especially in flight! But, it didn't take very long for the “replacement” feathers to grow in and his tail was its “proper” length again, and back to the beautiful browns and black. Well? We're going through it again. And today, there aren't as many of the little “down” feathers about. I do wonder though, how it must feel to him, as the feathers come out, in such quantities. Well, his radiator was on all through the day. So he won't be “chilled”. (And today's “high” managed to reach 20°, a touch warmer than the forecast of 18°, but, through the night... 9° and a low, at 5.00 tomorrow morning, of only 8° (the radiator will be set up to “5” out of possible “6” tonight).
Noting here as I research: A common statement on several “web-sites” on the topic of “moulting” say the same thing: Moulting takes a tremendous amount of energy. Good to know... and it explains why Yonah hasn't been “in the mood” for “frolic” today. No problem. At least I know that he's probably tired... POOR BABY! And “The Spruce” says ”Molting can be a dangerous period for birds... Flying may be difficult if not impossible while molting, which makes birds more susceptible to predators, and while feathers a re missing, a bird's insulation and protection from poor weather are compromised. If a bird does not get proper nutrition while molting, its feathers may be thinner or poorly formed, creating difficulties that can last for months of years.” Well... it's a year AFTER the fact, but this might explain why Yonah was attacked... in October. Tired from energy expenditure, cold from the moulting, which he was OBVIOUSLY under-going (I still have that little “glass” FULL of his feathers from last year), and an inability to fly properly. PRECIOUS LITTLE GUY! I'm still hear-broken to think of him suffering... in *ANY* WAY, to *ANY* EXTENT. Yes, he's been my BLESSING, MY HONOUR, MY PRIVILEGE, MY LOVE, MY HEART, MY SOUL, MY SOLE REASON FOR WAKING TO ANOTHER DAY, BUT... AT WHAT COST? Well... I do my utmost best to make certain that his time with me is comfort and safety to the best humanly-possible ... Now, it's just a matter of time for “Nature” to do what “Nature” does... and soon, he'll have a nice new “coat”, fresh and, hopefully strong and beautiful. We'll have made it through a year... and a “new wardrobe”.
MEAN-while... we did some “mixing” today... There's a “special” container of a mixture of the “usual base” of “Healthy Select” and the “Audubon”, the “Pure Fun”... and the NEW mix... from “the Netherlands”! AND, of course, the “Moulting Mix” (which I need to get more of... especially now). And I've added the finely-ground sun-flower seeds too... for the extra “oil” and other vitamins that he'll need. NOTHING is “too good” for my guy! (NOTHING is “good enough” for him... as far as I'm concerned, but as I say... I do the very best I possibly can. Thus far, it appears I'm doing quite well... considering the help, support and information that I don't get from the so-called “experts”. And he still either “loves” me or “tolerates” me... What- or which-ever... I STILL ADORE HIM! I hope he enjoys this new mixture and that it gives him all that he needs... especially now.
POOR BABE! though. Tonight's “tuck-in” came at 19.30! His room was already getting quite dark so early. It hurts me to know that his days are so much shorter now. But then, he's more attuned to the “Natural” clock of Creation and he did appear to be rather “ready” for a night's sleep by then. (It's also good for me, in a way, because he gets me to get to bed... his futon... since I've been in his room for at least a week now and will be again tonight... at a “civil hour”... instead of staying awake, needlessly, into the night.) Not to mention, he probably does need the extra time of rest now.
It's interesting to see his tail... It “ends” in the same light-grey-almost-white feathers that he had in those photos from 31 December 2020. But this time, at least I have the comfort of knowing that the beautiful, long, dark grey-brown feathers are growing in... he'll soon have his “Dove-tail” again. We've been through some times together... Hopefully, we'll get through some more... but NONE like the one that brought him here, to me. I've been so BLESSED, HONOURED, PRIVILEGED, with his presence. It still hurts me to think of “how” he came into my Life... and no matter how hard I try to think of my care and LOVE for him, it never feels like it's been enough, and I don't believe it ever will. But at least, tonight, he's safe, warm, protected, and he has a place of safety and comfort to rest and relax in, while he goes through what-ever it is that he's going through. (How I WISH I could actually “KNOW”! But... it's the usual “Man” being the “Superior”... what a crock!)
 Saturday 11 September:
Well then... up at 6.30 this morning. If I hadn't been noticing the later start to the day other-wise, my little “alarm call” is making it obvious. No more 5.30 wake-ups. And even at these 6.00 hours, the day-light is only JUST creeping up over the hills and tree-tops. Ah... Earlier to bed and earlier to rise. The long nights are approaching quickly.
This morning, I was happy to see that Yonah had had a “calm” night (poop-check... all in one place) and for me, that's always a comfort. And noticeably fewer feathers scattered about. The moulting is still in progress and moving along quite well. That too, is a comfort to know. Now, I'll be watching, with care, focus and intent, at how well the new feathers come in, and how they look. (I'm hoping for BRILLIANT... with all the “special” foods. Although, I keep thinking, his seed mixes are “Canary and Finch”... but the commercial “Dove” mixes have whole peas which he could NEVER swallow, and even the “oat groats” aren't small enough. Honestly! If it shows nothing else, it makes a bold statement that those who claim to be so “knowledgeable” are, actually, either dim-wits or they just don't really care. Anyway... he seems to be doing well... so, we'll keep going. And I'll keep doubting me... and HOPING I'm doing ALL that he needs.)
I looked-up more information on the process of his moulting today and got busy adding to his “Nutrition/Care” page under a new heading: “Moulting”. POOR LITTLE GUY! He's taking it all in stride, even though “play time” isn't as it usually is. He's mostly reluctant to “frolic about”, and even when he IS “in the mood”, “the moment passes” sooner than ever. Although, we HAVE had a few “breaks” during the day for some good frolicking. I try to give him a bit of a “go”... some “exercise”, as it were. We “play” until he walks away... He's quite able to make it quite clear when “enough is enough”.... WHAT A LOVE!
For most of the day, we were together. And it would seem he's either REALLY taking the moulting VERY well or... he's just had a burst of a “playful mood”... We went for a stroll round the house and he REALLY enjoyed our several play breaks during the day... and tonight... he did NOT want to go “seepie-nigh-night”! As I changed the water in his pool and the kitchen roll, he wanted to attack my hands! (I can tell when his “attacks” are “playful” and when they're “angry” and these were SO PLAYFUL!) Sadly, the sun is setting earlier each day and “tuck-in” comes around as early. Tonight, I do believe that, if I'd put the light on in his room, he'd have played long into the night! Ah, but, now is the time he should get a good night's sleep... we'll have the rest of the Winter to “bounce about the place” (I hope)... unlike LAST Winter. OH! How I remember LAST Winter... I was terrified... of losing him completely, and even of him “bonding”, getting accustomed to me. THESE days were NEVER my intention, of him being so close to me, so comfortable around me, so much... well... honestly... being my “LIFE”! And ALL Winter-last, I'd watch him, so carefully, with such a terribly heavy heart, wondering if he'd make it to the warmer months and planning on how best to return him to his flock. Seriously... it NEVER even crossed my mind that he'd actually accept and adjust and become SO comfortable here, with me. (I keep thinking of what others say: He's not crazy; he's got the best food, fresh water, his own place, a really great place to live, no worries about looking for food and water, and no threats from predators. WHY wouldn't he be happy? Well... he doesn't have the entire WORLD to explore and fly around in. He doesn't have the rains in Summer, the open breezes, the open skies... He doesn't have the company of other doves... and I NEVER forget that... though I DO my very best to supply good company. Oh... well... at least he doesn't appear to be annoyed by me and he's not “sulking”. I suppose there's that much.)
But, after another REALLY BRILLIANT SUN-SOAKED DAY... my little guy is tucked-in with fresh food and water, I'm keeping the radiator in his room on, although the forecast is for low “teens”... MUCH better than single-digits. He's losing his “coat”... and there's NO reason why he should even be slightly chilled... NO REASON at all. And... yes, again... we'll be together tonight, and tomorrow is Sunday and... MOST of the day we'll be together. I want to get more sand for him, maybe a branch to roost on in the kitchen and/or living-room, and perhaps some more moss (that I'd like to try to “grow” over the Winter... we shall see about that). If not? Well then... THE WHOLE DAY TOGETHER! I've got more than enough to do... at his work table, in his room... in his company... TOGETHER! WOOHOO! (There's NO such thing as “too much time together”.)
So now... this is a “wrap” for today... and Yonah Taube is safe, sound, protected, LOVED AND SO CHERISHED... and I'm still amazed... with, by, for and of him.
Sunday 12 September:
I had a wonderful night's sleep last night... and a MOST PERFECT MORNING... when, at about 6.15... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo...hoo-hoo” called me out of my drowsiness. I'm STILL trying to understand the “extended” call. But when I replied with a simple “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo”, Yonah responded with the “extended”. It's as I say, often: MY education NEVER stops... and my PROFESSOR is just AMAZING!
So... I was up, opened his house to the morning... curtains open, the “back-board” removed and he came over to me when I opened the door... “Good morning kisses”! Now THAT could NEVER be “improved upon”! To know that he's feeling well-enough... AND that he still looks forward to seeing me. The world is PERFECT... AND his moulting continues... though it's slowing a bit. And he looks none-the-worse for it. YAY!
ONE THING THOUGH... I'M NOT SURE IF HE SWALLOWED A FEATHER OR WHAT-EVER ELSE, BUT HE KEEPS MAKING LITTLE “SMACKING” MOVEMENTS WITH HIS BEAK, AS IF THERE'S SOMETHING STUCK IN HIS MOUTH. AND HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AND SCRATCHES. HE'S EATING THOUGH, SO THAT'S PROMISING. BUT I'M WONDERING WHAT, EXACTLY, IS GOING ON. I HOPE IT'S NOT HIS BEAK GROWING BACK! I WISH HE'D KEEP THAT TRIMMED ON HIS OWN! I DON'T LOOK FORWARD TO NEEDING TO TRIM IT MY-SELF! (I don't want to cause him ANY trauma... I'd MUCH rather somebody else did that... even though it might become necessary... ) Well... for now... I'll “watch”. He's come through Hell... and as I say... he's eating so that's a REALLY GOOD sign.
And I've had more than enough to do at his work table today... grey as it's been for the most part. Not “cold” though, thankfully. So yes, indeed... we're together for the day. And he's been, for most of it, in the front corner of his house... in his moss... right beside me. At one point, he came out, roosted on the back of the chair. I stopped what I was doing, we had a chat, he got a few “breast strokes” and... off and away... back to his house. (He loves me... I need nothing else.)
OH! We had another “tour of the house” this evening, and we stood at the back door, looking out to “his yard”, small as it is. For me, especially since he was comfortably resting on my shoulder, I look out there and, now, that it's so close to “the anniversary” of his “arrival”, it's a reminder of that day, now, almost 11 months ago (tomorrow). It hurts me to remember how he was then. But I looked at him this evening, there, on my shoulder, and I leaned my head toward him and he rested against my face... and pecked at my ear. He's been safe for these 11 months... and well-fed, and SO VERY MUCH LOVED and CHERISHED. (Even the neighbour next door was saying earlier, to another neighbour “He's (Yonah) is LOVED MUCH more than most people love their child.” Well, yes, perhaps he certainly is. And for a moment, he looked out at the two mourning doves as they were taking their evening meal at the special “feeder”... I whispered “I'm sorry little one. I'd hoped you'd be out there at this time, with the rest. And maybe I would have called you and you'd remember me and my voice and come to say that you were doing well. I'm SO sorry that it didn't turn-out that way. But I've done the best I know how. All I can hope for is that you don't resent me for any of it.” He pecked at my ear again, and we stood there for a little while longer until I went back to his room to finish some work I'd been doing on his web-site. (Images of the food that I give him... so that there are pictures on his “Nourishment” page for others to see... if they're looking for ideas on what to give THEIR little Companions.) When we got into his room... he headed back to his house and settled on his roof-top. Well? I suppose he doesn't resent me. I'll never REALLY know, but... I do suppose that he DOES understand that I mean him nothing less that PUREST LOVE. I “suppose”. I just wish I could “know” what more I can do for him. But, as it's been these past 11 months, I'm sure I have more to learn from him, and we'll do what we can, what we must... I do know that I will.
Ah... came the “end of the day” and I'd had a late “dinner” so it was getting darker when I'd finished... and... came the “call”. Yonah has his own “routine” and when it's time for the “evening routine” of water-changing, house-keeping and setting things up for a night of sleep, if I'm not there, I'm “reminded”. (Yeah, tell me again that birds aren't capable of “knowing” AND communicating. WRONG!) “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo!” indeed! So I got right to it, and all the while, as I filled and drained his pool, he wanted to play. So, we did. And when the back-board went up on his house, he looked to the “roof” as if waiting for that board... I put it on, changed the kitchen roll on his floor and we had a “snuggle”, after which, he headed for his “night perch”.
I put his futon together, in the event I'll be with him tonight. His radiator is on because of the 13° we're supposed to drop to tonight, and I told him I'd probably be back “later”... and we'll have a night together again. (I'm getting SO used to him being “there” through the night and in the morning. It seems “strange” now, to even think about not being there... together.)
Well... tomorrow, there's nothing on my “agenda” other than “office work” which means... being with him. I'm looking forward to that. “Loved more than most people love their children”? Yonah is MORE to me than a child... and I've raised a few. Children get to a point where they will, can and ought to fend for themselves. Children can be spoken to and can speak to us to make themselves understood. I'm still learning Yonah's “language”, admittedly haven't gotten any-where near knowing what I need to know of it. There's a communication gap between us and he's really not going to be able to fend for himself... and, as long as there's breath in my old body... he never will have to. He's my COMPANION... my heart-beat... my SOUL... my Little Guy... my LOVE.
Monday 13 September: ***** 11 MONTHS WITH MY VERY BREATH, HEART AND SOUL *****
  ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ****** ***** ***** ***** *****
OH! I HAVE REASON (HAVING WATCHED SOME VIDEOS ON THE LIFE OF A MOURNING DOVE... FROM EGG TO FLEDGE THIS AFTER-NOON) TO BELIEVE THAT YONAH WAS BORN SOME TIME ROUND THE LAST WEEK OF... AUGUST !!! SO AT ABOUT “MY BIRTHDAY” IS *** HIS *** !!!!! SO NOW I *** REALLY *** WONDER WHY HE CAME WHEN HE DID !!! WHO/WHAT SENT HIM ? I DO *** NOT *** LIKE OR APPRECIATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT HE HAD TO SUFFER... BUT THIS IS TRULY QUITE “STRANGE”. AND TO LEARN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS “ARRIVAL”... 11 MONTHS... IT SETS MY “WORLD... OFF” A TOUCH !!! BUT I'M AGAIN, IN AWE !!!
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ****** ***** ***** ***** *****
And what a BEAUTIFUL DAY TOO! Sunny... BRILLIANT sun-shine, a gentle breeze, comfortably warm/cool! PERFECT!
And in spite of being awake at 23.00 last night (POOR LITTLE GUY!) when I got to his futon, Yonah was awake this morning at 6.45 when I opened my eyes. But he didn't “call” me and didn't have anything to say until I spoke to him when I said “Oh my! You're awake and you didn't call me? You were letting me sleep-in? OH my!” The reply... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo.... hoo.” And... we were BOTH up and about... “morning routine” and the day rolled!
AND... AT 11.42 (video, of course), he hopped into the pool after a morning of “lounging” on his “loft platform”, soaking-in the GLORIOUS SUN-SHINE that POURED in through his windows! And when he'd had enough, he came rushing over to his “door-perch” and FLUFFED TO DRY... AND THEN WANTED TO *PLAY*! Yes, he's still dropping feathers, so moulting is on-going, but he's been in quite the “good” mood!
I keep thinking that he was probably “born” only some weeks before the 13th October, so he's had a “Birthday” at some point. I NEED to try to figure an approximate date. He HAD to have been born Summer 2020 because his colouration wasn't obvious on the 13th. He wasn't a year old yet.
The time is 19.06 and I'm sitting at the kitchen table... with Yonah... on my left shoulder! About 20 minutes ago, after I'd changed the waters and kitchen roll, we took a “stroll” round the house and to the back door. Tonight, it struck me: When I'd taken him in, he'd only been in the back yard, out in the “wild” for just under only two months! He was a “baby”! It's no wonder, now, that his room is his “world” and he's comfortable in there. And it now makes sense why he always seems to have no interest in anything out-side the door. That's really not his “home”... his house and his room are his “home”. That's what's the most familiar to him. AND, tonight, it makes more sense that we've “bonded”. He really hasn't “known” any other doves! I'm, pretty much, his one and only “Companion”. I'm literally... “his flock”! WOW!
And I think of the readings that claim the “average life-span” of a mourning dove is only 5 years. Well, I really have no choice now, but to take most excellent care of me... Yonah and I have a good 4 years ahead... if not longer. (Once upon a time, I dreaded another 4 months. Tonight... if it could be Yonah and I, I'd gladly accept another 40... years. I know that's pretty impossible, for both of us, but, indeed, these past 11 months have been “AWE-FULL”, every day of each one. I could easily handle 40 years with him.) It's a bit bitter-sweet though, to think, he only gets about 5 years. BUT... I'll make them the GREATEST 5 years... safe, healthy, comfortable, protected... and he'll NEVER be with-out LOVE!
Well, we had our few moments together in the kitchen, and Yonah tried the back of the chair for a while... but, the sun's set, and today is now “tonight”... and Yonah Taube? Well, he's tucked-in, safe and sound, in his house. Tonight's “threat” is 10°, but his radiator is on.
It also occurred to me this evening: He's never been in a “Winter”! His only “experience” of snow is seeing it through his windows! He's never had to fend against actual “cold”. Well... as long as we're here, and I have breath, I'll make sure he NEVER HAS to fend against cold. And he'll never have to scratch through snow for food. And he'll never have to look for water. That's my guy, my “Babe”, my “Mr. Babe”... my HEART-BEAT, my next breath, my SOUL... That's my “LIFE”... literally.
Tuesday 14 September:
As I jot, Yonah is already tucked-in for the night. Fresh waters, kitchen roll, the back-boards are up. And the house is calm (thankfully).
And my Bestiest Little Guy and I had just about an ENTIRE DAY together today! (I had to make a few errands, but, as usual I was out the door and back again in just shortly over an hour. Selfish of me, really, and honestly. I rush because, well I MISS being with him! Even if I'm not always in his room, just knowing he's “here”, in the house... I don't worry that he'll do crazy things whilst I'm away. I know that he knows the house and I know that where-ever he might go in the house, he always finds his way back to HIS place of comfort. It's me, I just miss him and his Companionship.)
He woke me, this morning... I was on the futon and “awake” at about 6.00, but I laid there, in the silence of the early morning, pondering whether or not to get up and attack the day. Yonah must have known I wasn't asleep because... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo... hoo”. So knowing he was up, I got up and got busy... “morning routine” and kisses, cuddles, snuggles... He's been SO affectionate lately! And I'm only just beginning to understand, better. Considering he was but a month or so old when he came into the house, and we've been together for almost a year now, I'm about ALL he's really ever been able to “know”, with any certainty. As I think of it: He and I... We ARE each-other's “Family”. And the talk of “bonding”, well, children “bond” with relatives, and folks, in general, bond with “Friends”. Yonah and I? I can't speak for him, but I know... I KNOW... my Heart and Soul are “bound” to him.
There was a moment today when “the thought” came to mind about him “growing old” and dying. The very thought of him “growing old” crushed my heart... It's not so much the “dying”... it's the notion of him “'slowing-down”, not “feeling well”... ANY sort of “suffering” at all. It's a horror to me. I can better handle “people” going through it, but NOT HIM! The thought didn't linger long... I couldn't handle it. I still can't. I know I'll have to face it and deal with it... but I will... when the situation is “present”. That's that.
Other-wise... It was a day together, in his room! And I'm working on his Journal... a “project” I'd thought of in the beginning but was so busy just trying to get it together... until this morning.
I always thought it would be a nice touch to include some photos on the Journal pages, references and breaks in the “monotony” of so much text. Well... today... the three months of 2020 are done! PHOTOS.. AND A VIDEO! ON THE MONTHLY PAGES!
AND... in the “Care” pages, illustrations... “Crop” on the “Nutrition” page and the “skeletal system” on the “Medical” page. Things I was aware of but didn't actually “know” and things that I needed to know... from the beginning but had no-one to ask. More help and support for those who might need! Leave it to “Yonah Taube” to come to the rescue!
This evening, after we'd both had our evening meals, we went for another “stroll” round the house... Yonah on my shoulder and back, as he does. We stopped at the back door where he seemed to have some interest this evening, but more-so, he appeared rather “fascinated” with looking out the front door tonight. AND, as I talked to him, as he rested on my shoulder, he cocked his head and kept looking directly at me. I was simply commenting on the road, the mountains, the sky, the setting sun... but he seemed genuinely engaged! It was another one of the moments (of which he's brought SO MANY into my life) where I'm absolutely at an absolute loss for words to even TRY to describe it. I understand that doves “hear” “tonal qualities” of “sounds”... considering they really don't have much in the way of “communication”... I mean, dogs and cats have different “sounds” to express themselves... birds tend more toward “coo” or “chirp” and the likes. But my voice changes... intonations, pitch... and he seems to be “picking-up”! I will say that he already recognises “seepie-nigh-night” because when I say that, he heads for his little spot where he spend the night. (No, I'm NOT “exaggerating”... he actually does.) I suppose it was just seeing him there, on my shoulder, staring at me as I spoke that grabbed me. Hey... HE'S BRILLIANT!
And, after the walking about, we had the “evening routine” of water changes and such and tonight... he got comfy, the back-boards went up and tuck-in was ... well... it was. He's in for the night as I type.
Tonight is supposed to be “seasonable”... not COLD, not HOT... “cool”. His radiator is on... just in case. And there are storms in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. No problem... I've got things to do tomorrow... at his work table (there are MORE photos to add to the rest of his Journal) and so, the weather makes no difference to me (except that I have an “excuse” to stay with him. YAY!) So there's the plan.
And this evening, I found a “bough” of maple that I've stripped the leaves from... to put in the living-room for him to “roost” on, should he ever decide to “take the house”. I'll be looking for “better”, but I have to find “the right place” for it. I HOPE he'll take to the rest of the house. After all... it's HIS (probably more than it is “mine” or “ours”.)
Anyway, another day has come to a close, the sun has set and it's soon time for both of us to do what “Nature intends” of a night... “seepie-nigh-night for us.
WOW! My “Little Guy”... My little “LOVE”... My heart-beat.
 Wednesday 15 September:
4.07 Yes... that's correct... 4.07. Sad, really... At 22.20 last night, I turned the lap-top off, brushed my teeth, got into my scrubs and went directly to futon where I fell right to sleep. But about 20 minutes ago, I woke, needing a pee. I noticed that a pillow had fallen to the floor and reached to get it and... YONAH MUST HAVE SEEN THE MOTION AND PANICKED! FLUTTERING OF WINGS IN HIS HOUSE! I got up, with the little light, to check on him and he was almost cowering in the right-hand, front corner, in is little pine! I spoke to him, checked for injuries and, thus far, THANKFULLY, there are none. But, I was so taken and hurt by it all that, well, I felt it best to leave him alone, to calm down and hopefully, get back to some sleep. Now I wonder if he actually does sleep through the night or is he awake, on and off, through a night. Did he, some-how sense the motion of the pillow, or was he awake already? Do doves “snooze” through a night? Was he actually awake at the moment? What-ever it was or is, it frightened him. So now he's in his house, in his room. The light is off and the door is closed.
Well... at the end of the day, it was a gut-wrenching start. Yonah “woke” at his usual 6.30, with a usual “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo” and I JUMPED to get it to see him! There he was, on his perch, appearing to be as he is in a morning. I checked through his house for ANY signs of bleeding... there were none. But he DID drop one of his “odd”, black, wing-feathers that he gets from time-to-time, on that “injured” edge of hi left wing. I doubt that will ever stop. What-ever caused his original injuries got him, and left a mark. Now, I understand “Nature”, and that Yonah is a rare situation where I was able to rescue him before he was either completely destroyed or “devoured”... alive. I understand that, in order for others to survive, something, no matter what, animal, plant, has to perish. But the constant reminder of his injuries, the trauma that he suffered, only to go on to trust me, and become such a kind, LOVING little one... tears my heart to shreds. It always will. And that one feather, with the bloody quill when it breaks off is my personal Hell. But thankfully, that was the only “injury”, other than his shock and what-ever he experienced as he flew, frantically about his house in the dark this morning.
And yes, I feel guilt, even though my action was innocent, and I had no idea that he'd see the activity as I lifted that pillow from the floor.
I changed the water in his pool and drinking bowl, changed the kitchen roll and replaced his food with fresh, as is the “morning routine”, and he rested on his little corner “loft platform”, watching, as he does.
But for a couple of hours, I could SEE him breathing, steadily and some-what heavily and some-what rapidly. And with each “exhale”, he gave a little “hoo”... He's done that before... but not in the longest while. It's when he's upset. And I couldn't figure out what caused it this morning, because, other than that, he appeared to be fine.
I was in a bit of a panic, wondering what caused his distress, and, seeing him breathing so, I was horrified that he'd be on the verge of a heart-attack! Heart-attacks are amongst the most common causes of death to birds! So as I've always done, because there's nobody to call for advice or information, I scoured the internet for the hours he “hoo'ed”! NOTHING! AGAIN... NOTHING! And searching the internet for concrete, absolute information directly related to a question is, for the most part, aggravating. “Search engines” re-word searches, present “links” that have almost no resemblance to the question posted, it was drivel and nonsense and lists of rubbish!
The only thing I could think to do was what I've done for Yonah in the past when he was “spooked” by something: I went, sat beside him and talked, softly, calmly, and reached to touch him, to stroke him. I put my face next to him... AND HE PECKED AT MY FACE... IN HIS USUAL WAY: AS IF “PREENING” ME OR... GIVING LITTLE “KISSES” !!! Well... IT SEEMS IT WORKED! He DID calm, the “hoo's” stopped and his breathing slowed to “normal”! So I spoke a little while longer, and, I put on his “Play-list” of “bird-songs”, softly, and leaving the door to his room open, I stepped out into the next room where I could hear him, and could go back in immediately, if/when needed.
He was OK! I still don't know what caused his anxiety this morning, but he was OK... for the rest of the day!
Later, I brought the lap-top in to his room, and for the rest of the day, I worked on his Journal pages, inserting photos, as I've started doing. We listened to the bird recordings, we spoke AND, AT ABOUT 10.00, HE CAME TO HIS DOOR AND GAVE A “WING-SNAP”!!! HE WANTED ATTENTION! HE WAS FINE! (And, to be brutally honest... I was too... at last!)
So we spent the entire, rainy day together today. I worked at the table, he flew about his room. We took “play breaks” as we do. And this evening, he rode on my shoulder as I changed the water in his pool. AND HE ATE VERY WELL DURING THE DAY! THAT, IN AN OF ITSELF, WAS A GREAT RELIEF TO SEE!
This evening, I did the “evening routine” well-before the room went dark, and set his house in order for the night, with his “back-board” and little “half-board” on his roof up. We had “cuddles” and “kisses”. I closed the door to his house, as I do every night. (This morning is an exquisite example as to “why”... had his door been open, he could have flown out, into the room, perhaps tried to make it through the house, in the darkness! Doves don't see well in the dark. Yonah showed me that last evening when we were walking about the house and, as I approached his room, it was considerably darker in there... he wouldn't leave my shoulder until I turned a light on and he could see his way clearly back to his house. Now, if he'd flown, in a panic, out, this morning, I don't even want to think about the potential injuries... collisions... door-frames, walls, windows, furniture... ANYTHING!) So he was “tucked-in” for the night. The forecast is for rain and 13° tonight, so his radiator is on... his door is closed to block the lights from the rest of the house and any noise I might make.
Tonight, for the first time in what feels like a small eternity, I won't be sleeping on his futon. I'll be in my own room, next-door to his. I just don't want to “risk” getting up to go to the loo, sneezing, coughing, snoring and certainly NOT reaching for pillows... in the dark. We'll see how he responds/reacts to having HIS  room and HIS house to “HIS-self” again. It's going to be a bit hard on me, to be sure, but weighing the situation with care, concern and LOVE... I'd rather err on the side of him being calm through the night. (Of course, if he “calls”... I'll be right there. I can hear him... even when I sleep.)
Meanwhile, photos up to June of 2021 are added to his Journal pages. I'll work a little more on the rest before bed. And tomorrow? WE HAVE NOTHING ON ANY AGENDA... EXCEPT BEING TOGETHER AGAIN! SO... for now, I'll just HOPE he gets a perfect night's sleep. He has fresh water and food, his house is in order and clean. He'll be warm and protected against the chill and damp out-side... and THOSE are the most important things, other than his GOOD HEALTH and WELL-BEING, to me... Other than Yonah... nothing else matters. (And it's been fun, going through all the photos again... and remembering all the “firsts”... flight, bath... and remembering that the ONLY reason I'm here today, this evening, is... because of him.)
 Thursday 16 September:
This morning was, to me, quite “strange”... It was my first morning, in over a month, of not waking in Yonah's room, on his futon, with him “there”. Last night, I slept in “my own room”. It actually felt “odd” and quite “lonely”. Sure, he's just on the other side of the wall where my bed is, and there's precious little between us, but... he wasn't “there”... And I woke to my “6.00” alarm, which is actually at about 5.45, turned it off and waited the half-hour for the next alarm... and laid in the bed, waiting to hear... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”... when, after about 10 minutes, I didn't hear, I got up, out of the bed and, very fist thing, checked on Yonah. He was awake... and yet, so quiet. I had to wonder if he'd noticed, either during the night or first thing this morning, that “his” futon was... “empty”. It hurt me to think he may have noticed and couldn't quite understand, but knowing that he could have possibly had a delightful, peaceful, restful night, with-out me being there, getting up for nightly “loo”, or turning about, and certainly NOT reaching for pillows gave me some comfort. And so, with that, my own “morning routine” commenced... and so too, since he was awake, Yonah's; back-boards removed, curtains open, food and waters changed... But all the while, he was SO quiet! It wasn't until I'd gone back to the kitchen and, at about 7.15, he finally gave a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo”. THAT was when this day “officially” commenced. The door to his house was open, so I went in and we had some “morning smooches”. He gave me his “greeting-pecks” and all seemed as well as ever.
The forecast was wrong for last night... The claimed a “low” of 13° but I woke to only 9° (as I checked). Thankfully, I'd left Yonah's radiator on through the night! Just goes to show... best to be prepared for... and never just take somebody's word. And the mountains to the West were all but “missing” in the low clouds and the rising fog from the brooks and river. Although, as they cleared... BRILLIANT, PERFECTLY CLEAR SKIES, AND THE SUN POURED IN THROUGH YONAH'S WINDOWS! WHAT A JOY! I “LUV” seeing him bask in the sun... and he seems to truly “LUV” the basking!
I moved the lap-top into his room right away and got to work on coding photos onto the remaining Journal pages all morning and, as of 12.00, this month is the only one that needs them! AND... I put a photo of him on his “Home” page too! It all adds a bit of “colour” to the pages as well as making them all a bit more “personal”. Ah... his, is an ever-evolving work in progress! But, as long as it is, we're together and I have cause to “be”... through another day. My pleasure, my delight, my JOY... my LOVE! (I HOPE it all brings as much to others... whether the come to the site just out of curiosity or in search of the support I've yet to find.)
And now, at mid-day, it's time to get September's photos on, bring the Journal to “current”. HEY! I'M AT THE WORK TABLE, YONAH IS BASKING, WE'RE TOGETHER... THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.
16.24 JOURNAL PAGES TO THE MOMENT! PHOTOS INCLUDED ON ALL! It's been a “ride”! Files and documents and images wouldn't up-load to the server. Pages went “missing” even on the lap-top. BUT IT'S COMPLETE! Yonah's Journal is now complete, to-date and there are photos on the pages! I've been wanting to get this from since the Journal went “live” and today, as I sat here beside him (or, well, at least, for the most part, in the same room), he inspired me (and supervised). WE DID IT!
As for the “for the most part” of being in the room with him... earlier, we took a little “break”. I noticed a bit of “bubbles” in his pool water which may (or may not) have meant that he'd taken a bit of a splash. No matter. It was time to replace and refresh and so, that was my “exercise break”. Ah... but as I got “things” together to get to it, Yonah came hopping to his front door... IT WAS TIME FOR “LOVE ME”! And me? Well, the world stops for “LOVE ME”, no matter what the situation or circumstances. So, up onto my shoulder and we took a stroll through the house. Back door for a bit where we looked out to see if any of the “flock” were nibbling. Nobody there. But then, a neighbour was busy in the yard so the other birds were keeping a distance. Yonah? Didn't phase him in the least. He sat, comfy, on my shoulder and we looked for a while. Then we took a stroll into my bed-room where only last night, I'd returned for a night's sleep. He seemed almost “fascinated” by it. He's never spent much time in there so it must seem “foreign” to him... BUT NOT SO FOREIGN... WHEN HE DECIDED HE WANTED TO BE ELSE-WHERE, HE TOOK OFF, FLEW ROUND THE BED-ROOM A COUPLE OF TIMES AND OUT... INTO THE LIVING-ROOM WHERE HE LANDED, DELIGHTFULLY WELL, ON A TABLE BY THE WINDOWS AND THERE, HE MADE HIMSELF MOST COMFY! So, whilst he enjoyed the living-room, I changed the pool water and returned to working on his Journal.
As I worked, the “sound of wings” over-head! Yonah had returned (to have a nosh)! He DOES know his way around this place. That's quite comforting to me because I've always wanted him to be free to go to any room, any place in the house that he wants when he wants. And so, I continued to work at the little table, he had his nosh and we passed the rest of the day TOGETHER! I LOVE THESE DAYS!
So for the next “task”, I'll work on the page with his videos. That page is becoming quite “full”, “long”, and it's taking a bit of time to load. I'm not certain how to “break it up” but, it's another item that will “require” more “time in Yonah's room”... that, and adding those little “links” at the bottom of his Journal pages so that readers can simply “click” to get back to the top of the page. (Or... add the “top” links to the bottom of the pages as well. Things to make the reading easier and more enjoyable. After all, Yonah's story is truly WELL worth the read! Especially for people who actually DO have a good heart and care about him and “his”. As well as ALL the “little ones” in this world.) So that means a day TOGETHER! WOOHOO(hoohoohoo)
Ah, the day passed... TOO SOON, as they ALL do. Yonah got “tucked-in” but tonight there's something “different”. “People” have decided to change the street light out-side his window to one of those new “LED” lights! It's HORRIFIC! A constant BLAST (if light were sound we'd be deaf) of “blue-white” light almost SCREECHING in through the windows ALL through the night! It's repulsive, really. But as it came on and the night came to settle, I'm only just slightly grateful that THIS new fixture doesn't seem to be as truly “God-forsakenly terrorising” as the one they'd put in originally, about two months ago. Although it truly IS disgusting. And today I read articles, including one published by the “AMA American Medical Association” that tells of how these “LED” lights cause alterations in/to the “circadian” clock of animals and humans, interfere with migrations, cause damage to the eyes of humans and animals, and a host of other detrimental effects. But the claim to being “energy efficient”... ah yes, save the “energy”... even at the cost of lives. I often think: Humans found it necessary to actually RECORD a “rule” prohibiting “murder”... Animals simply don't. Again... I don't “question” the superior beings in Creation... it's more than boldly obvious... those we call “animals” are, incomparably SUPERIOR! Well, as a human, I have a battle coming... and letters are already being composed to be sent off to a variety of recipients. Aside from the “inconvenience” posed to me... I will NOT have Yonah even mildly-slightly inconvenienced! He needs his rest, especially now... and I'll see to it that he gets it. (“They” have NO idea what they're bucking now.)
But, at least Yonah's room isn't receiving the full force of the offender and the “boards” on the window-side and on his roof appear to be doing some good in blocking it so that he's not “drowning” in it. There's just a bit of light in his room... It's a far cry from the delightful night darkness he's had, but we'll see to it that he gets that back... in shortest order.
For now, he's not out-side, his radiator is on to ward-off the coolness of the night. Fresh water and food at the ready. He's safe, sound, and OH SO VERY MUCH LOVED AND CHERISHED !!!
Friday 17 September:
The days pass so quickly now, and too quickly. It's 19.02 on the clock and the “official” sun-set has already happened. There's the “twilight” blanketing the world out-side, and Yonah's “evening routine” of water and kitchen-roll changes is done. Too soon. Too soon.
But we had another day together, for the most part. I'm still working on his web-site, and managed a snooze or two with him. We don't have the nights together, but we have the days.
Today seemed a bit “heavy” for him. He wasn't in a “playful” mood, though our time together, especially our “house stroll” this evening seemed to be pleasant. He DOES enjoy the closeness and contact, though, today, he was more hesitant about it all. So very often, I wish I knew what to do to bring him happiness. And more often, how I wish I could just sit with him in my arms, holding him close to let him know just how much he is to me, how important he is in my every-moment life and living. He truly, honestly is my Heart and Soul. I suppose this “moulting” is taking some of his energy and mood. I wish I could do something about that. “Nature”... even the little ones, as pure and innocent as they are, have “those moments”, “those seasons”. I look forward to when this is finished for him. (He's still dropping feathers... the wings now.)
We had a while at the back door this evening... FIVE other mourning doves were at the “feeder” and, for brief moments, Yonah appeared to be “watching” them. But over-all, he's really rather disinterested in them. He doesn't “call” to them and they appear to ignore him there. Maybe they really don't have anything other than “species” in common? After all, we watched as those out-side vied for the food and he doesn't have to do that. He hasn't even had to look for food or water... for almost a year now.
I can't help but think of how I still wish he could be with them. But how well I know, now, that, putting him out with them would be certain death. His flying, for one thing... he could never keep up with them. And “foraging” for food? Well, they could teach him, show him where, but would he keep looking for “his” food, in “his” place?
Being here, where he is, will give him quantity and good quality of life.
And as we walked about the house, he became a bit restless on my shoulder and when we got back to “HIS” room, he took flight immediately... back to “HIS” house, to “HIS”perch. He IS more comfortable there. This IS “HIS” house... “HIS” home now. And WE are “US”... and “US” is actually “ONE” because, with-out him, as I told him this evening, there is no “me”.
Well then... We changed the water and kitchen roll. The curtains are closed (for all the good they do against the new “LED” lighting out-side). The “boards” are up where they belong for a night. Yonah was obviously ready for “seepie-nigh-night” and we had snuggles and kisses, to be sure! It's terrible how much I actually “miss” him at night. But I know I'm right here for him, always. And whilst I'm awake, I'm always listening for him. We might not be in the same room over-night, but even in my deepest sleep, I'm “listening” for ANY “woo-HOO”. (It's true... Even when I'm in the room beside his, no matter what... I hear even the slightest “hoo”. HEY! THAT'S MY GUY! MY BABE! MY DEAR! MY HEART! MY SOUL! MY BEING! MY LIFE!) And now, I hope he gets all the restful sleep he needs. Tomorrow, the day is completely HIS... and I'm looking forward to time together! (Shorter, as it might be. Ah... and to think... the days are only getting shorter... for the next 3 months! OK. So 3 months will pass... the past 11 months together with Yonah certain did... QUICKLY. But these Winter months always seem to just drag... But we'll “adjust and adapt”... it's what we do! Yonah does... “Naturally”... I'm inspired and being properly educated... we'll do it... together... and that's ALL that matters at all.)
Saturday 18 September:
Well... although Yonah and I did spend this entire day together, and indeed, it was the “entire” day, he woke later this morning, than usual. I had a bit of a “sleep-in” until about 7.45 and he was “awake”, but didn't appear to be in a mood for “company”, and he was so quiet until almost 8.15. I wonder... The day comes later now, and it's at the point where it's obviously later (already). Could it be that? I noticed that the birds in the yard didn't come by for breakfast until round 8.00, and they're usually there by about 6.30 (which is, admittedly, not quite “day-light” now). Maybe they're all getting into the “Winter hours”? And, well, Yonah's certainly not a “domestic” sort, even though he's rather comfortable in the house. Honestly, I didn't get to “know” him, as it were, until October. So going through last year's “notes” (thank GOODNESS for this Journal!) is of no real use to me. And even at that, last year really isn't a great reference for a lot of my questions now because when he came into the house, he really wasn't in the best of health. And that's not to mention, he was in a rather small “confinement area” (how I still ache when I see and remember that horrific contraption, even though it was all I had available at the time), and let's face the fact that being with a human, the very species that's responsible for so much senseless murder (let's call it as it truly is... “murder”) of SO MANY of his fellow mourning doves! I still tend to marvel at how well he managed to handle my presence, especially in those earlier days. Yes, he was “docile”, for lack of a better term at this moment. But his left leg was completely useless, his left wing was gashed. It took weeks before he could stand on both legs, and weeks more before he actually moved that wing. So, again, not a good reference point.
But, he's SO VERY different now, and probably closer to what he'd been before the “attack” that grounded him. The only thing I can do, really, is “wait and see” and hope the all is well with him.
As I say, we were together all through the day. I wanted to do more work on his “Journal” pages and so, I moved into his room to be with him. We listened to the radio. I added the “Top of Page” links to all of his Journal pages, and “cleaned” them up to match the format of his earlier pages. (The first letter of each entry is now “bold”... OK. “Cosmetic”. But just a bit more “elegant”... and “elegant” is what my little BESTIE COMPANION deserves... in ALL aspects!) After “lunch”, we switched to listening to his “Play-list” of birds and there was a noticeable change.
A few moments into the “bird-songs”, he was up, about his house and even came out to his shelf! It was, for me, a delight. The sun poured in through his windows and he was up and about in HIS environment!
He truly didn't want to “play” today, though. No “wing-snaps” of “HEY YOU! C'mon! Let's frolic here!” And when I approached him, he moved away. A few times, he came over and “roosted” on the back of the chair I was sitting on, and I could turn to talk with him, but when I'd moved to touch... he was off and back home to his house. Hey, we all have “those days”. At least he appears to be in good health though. Not much to “say” all day, but he's got the energy to fly about, and he IS eating EVER-SO WELL! (Storing-up for the Winter? As if he needs to do any of that! He's got plenty of food in the house to last well through the coming Winter, and I've got MORE on the next shopping list.) And he's still moulting but NOTHING like he was doing about a week ago!
Oh... on the “moulting”, I'm noticing the mourning doves in the yard... they're looking just like Yonah: their tails are shorter, having already dropped the longer feathers, and they're lighter... even to the palest grey or white... JUST like Yonah's were last year! And their little body feathers are looking a touch “dull” and “scraggly”. From reading on the matter, that too, is to be expected. So I keep a careful watch of the birds in the yard and of Yonah. Yep, he's following “suit”... so to speak. So as long as they're all “matching”, we're OK.
But... tonight's “official sun-set”... 16.58! It's REALLY becoming all too noticeable, these short days! NO day with Yonah is EVER “long enough”, but now? Well. This evening, we had “evening routine” at 18.30 already, so Yonah has time to “adjust” to the darkening of his room, time to “get settled” with some light in which to “navigate”. SO EARLY! SO SOON! And he ate whilst I changed the water in his pool. (That's SO fascinating to me: I can have my hands and arm in his house, pouring water into the pool almost directly under where he's eating, and it doesn't phase him at all! He just keeps eating, ignoring my “presence”. I'm just another part of another moment of another day to him now... AND I LOVE IT!) By the time I'd finished with water-change and putting-down fresh kitchen roll, he'd done with his snacking and went over to the little mirror on the opposite side. He likes to “peck” at that mirror. He has two of them, one smaller (his preference) and another a bit larger (where I see him often spending a night... and that makes me wonder: does the reflection seem to be a “companion” to him? a comfort?). But he has a particular, obvious preference to the smaller mirror (and the “fellow” in it). Anyway, he went over, gave a few pecks. Then to the larger mirror where he gave a “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” (as he often does there and most often does first thing in the morning... as if saying “Good morning” in the morning and “Good night” at night... honestly... how I DO wonder). And now, as I type in the kitchen, he's “tucked-in”... curtain closed, “boards” up.. .radiator on. My little guy will NOT be even slightly “chilled” over-night! I'll see to THAT!
If tomorrow's forecast proves true, it's for another plummet to a mere 9°! The last time they claimed that, it had gone down to about 7° over-night. BUT... I don't worry... Yonah's radiator keeps his room VERY warm indeed. So we'll just be prepared.
Tomorrow, I intend to get to the river for more, fresh sand for him. I want to “stock-up” for “over-Winter” now. ALL through last Winter I SO wanted to get some for him, but it was frozen under thick ice and too much snow. THIS year, we'll be well-prepared. And I'm thinking of getting some “meadow grasses” for him, in case he'd like to “snuggle” in a nest over the cooler nights. It'll be time away from him, but it'll be time invested in him. And as for the nest? He stopped using one last year when he got well enough to “roost” over-night. But... I see no reason why he shouldn't have the opportunity to “nest” again, if and when he might choose. As I say: “NOTHING is 'too good' and EVERYTHING is never 'good enough' for Yonah!”.
For now... it's “seepie-nigh-night” time... another day... gone by too quickly... and we're rolling into our *FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY*... I can't believe it's been that long... and it will never be “long enough”. WOW! I just can't really sufficiently explain just how much I truly AM “IN LOVE WITH” him! He IS my “EVERYTHING”! And I remain awe-struck... the Honour, the Privilege, the Blessing...
Sunday 19 September:
MY POOR LITTLE GUY HAD THE HOUSE TO HIM-SELF ALL AFTER-NOON TODAY! We had the morning together, on this rather beautiful, sunny, late-Summer day, but I got called away for more time than I'd expected. Ah... but... he's such a CHAMP! Even though I was out, and his door was open, to his house and room, there he was, when I returned... in his house, grabbing the sun. ALTHOUGH, as I walked into his room, he DID get up and come toward his door and took that “stand” that he gets when he's not terribly please with me about something...
There are obvious differences in his postures and when he's not “pleased”, his feet tend to be farther apart and it actually appears that he's “scowling”, as if to say “And just WHERE have YOU been for such a long time?” Most often, when I walk into the room and he comes to his door, he'll hop up onto the “perch” in the door-way and “wing-snap”... and that, I've come to learn, means “HEY! NICE TO SEE YOU! LET'S PLAY!”
But then, these days, there's the “moulting” that has to be taken into consideration. I can't imagine how he must be feeling, though my research does say, repeatedly, that it's a stressful and tiring time for doves. I DO try to give him as much time as possible to just relax as he wishes. I'm “there” (“here”?) for him and I DON'T just leave him alone, as a rule. But if this moulting is “draining”, I can understand his not wanting to “frolic”. (I just SO wish there was something I could do to help him through it all! More of that “human superiority”... gone right to where it's always belonged... “down the drain”... to put it politely.)
Anyway, we did manage a couple of “play-full” moments this evening before “tuck-in”. And tonight's “threatening forecast” is for a low of only 9° (which means locally, we'll be at about 7° at the very least). I want to make certain that his radiator manages to keep his room warm again, this year, so I'll be “sleeping-over” with him again tonight. And his futon is set and I will NOT be reaching for falling pillows through the night, no matter what! We'll see how the radiator manages this little cold-snap. Best to know before it's necessary.
Tomorrow's day-time forecast is for more sun and nicely-warm “seasonable” temperatures so tonight's chill will be warmed during the day... I have a couple of what I'm hoping to be “quick” errands and chores to attend but other-wise... well... we'll see how Yonah “is”, come morning. MY LITTLE LOVE... MY HEART-BEAT!
Monday 20 September:
We made it through the night, last night, as warm and cozy as we could have possibly been! The forecast was for 9°, but when we woke this morning, round-about 7.00 (ah, the day breaks later and so too, the “nightie-night”), 'twas a mere 6°, so that means we more-than-likely dropped to about 4°over-night. But I was in the room (another “sleep-over” with my BESTIEST) through the night, mostly to make sure it stayed warm enough, and oh yes, indeed... QUITE toasty. So all was well, to be sure.
Sadly, I had to run errands and attend to “chores” for a lot of the sunny, BRILLIANTLY sunny and beautifully warm day. But I was back just after “lunch-hour” and again, today, I notice: Yonah is QUITE aware when I'm not in the house. I don't have to be in the room with him, but he DOES notice when I'm not even in the house. I DO leave the door to HIS house open, I've NO reason not to. He's free to travel where-ever and when-ever he desires, and from the presence of a feather on the kitchen table, I'll assume he did take a bit of a “fly-round”. (He's done so when I'm in... as if he comes looking for me!) But when I got back in, he wasn't “warmly welcoming”. A couple of “kisses” were fine and then he was off to the shelf, to his roof and back into his house where he was when I got in. And through the day, I could get a couple of “smooches” here and there, now and again, but only a couple. (Thankfully, I have NOTHING on the schedule for tomorrow and there's some work I need to do... in his room, so... HOPEFULLY, we can make-up for today's “abandonment”.)
I often see mourning doves in the yard, alone, solo, coming to eat or just “hanging-out” at the feeder or in the yard. So I see that they're not “always” with other doves. And for the few hours, rather seldom, that I'm away, usually to shop for groceries, which takes under and hour, or even when I'm out for “major shopping” (which can take 4 hours at most), I can't see that Yonah would mind his solitude. He has either the radio on or his “play-list” of bird-songs, so the house isn't silent. But, still, it does seem he prefers knowing some “body” is about. (Truth be told, and I've said, unashamedly, I miss him, deeply and terribly when-ever I'm away from the house so... I can understand if he “misses” me too. I'm HONOURED!)
But, as the day progressed, “things” got a bit better. He didn't mind the “smooches” as much... but was NOT in a mood to “play”. I have some “amends” to make... tomorrow.
And he's back to dropping “down” feathers again. Were it not for last year's quantity, I'd be most seriously worried. But this time there are fewer. Last year his moulting went on for over a month. So there's still time for more to fall. Thankfully, there are no “bare spots”. I DO look, with particular care, for any of those.
And he has a WONDERFUL appetite! He's eating ever-so well! And THAT'S a GREAT comfort to me!
Well, sun-set was before 19.00 tonight. OH! But these days are getting almost intolerably short too soon! So, waters were changed, food freshened, kitchen roll changed... curtains closed, light-block boards put up and I'd no sooner finished with it all... Yonah was on his perch where he spends a night. He was ready for “seepie-nigh-night”! (Me too... but I'll be up for a little while longer... just a little while longer.) Tonight's forecast is for a low of 13°, not bad at all, especially with all the warmth in the house from today, but his radiator is on... set at “3” out of “6” (last night we were at about “4,5” and it was, as I say, quite warm)... that's a “just in case”... Forecasts can be wrong... “Nature” doesn't check weather forecasts. “17s” and “12s” in the future forecast with seasonably warm days... but some rain. No problem... WE know how to pass “rainy days” in THIS house!
As I say, I've nothing on the schedule for tomorrow other than some work which will be done in Yonah's room.. so we'll be together for the day! And I couldn't be happier! I'm looking SO forward to it. HE'S MY REASON FOR BEING!
 Tuesday 21 September:
Goodness ME! I snoozed a bit late this morning and so too, did Mr. Yonah! Neither of us was really up and about until about 7.30! Ah, yes, the Autumn is creeping in and our longer nights seem to be rushing in right behind it. Then again, poor little guy is probably exhausted from all the moulting. If nothing else, he's beginning to show the signs of moulting: the “old” feathers are looking “dull”, and he's on the “scraggly” side these days.
Thankfully, I remember, clearly, because I was in such anxiety at the time, that he looked the same last year when he went through this. Last year, I was heart-sick, wondering and no knowing whether he was physically ill or if he was moulting because of the trauma of being attacked. It was another part of my reason for remembering those as “Dark and Heavy” days. SO much was happening, and I had NO ONE to turn to for any advice. Well, it's been almost a year of practically daily research, all through and today, I have a better understanding. I still want him to get to a qualified “avian veterinarian”, and that's on the “agenda” for the month of October. Mean-while... I keep an even-tighter watch, making sure he eats and drinks, and doing “poop checks” every day, through the day. Gladly, I can say, he's doing as well as can be expected. Other than not wanting to be “touched”, which is rather unusual for him, he's his “usual” self... ADORABLE!n(Of course.)
And all through the day today, the sun shone, and Yonah's room was “warm and cozy”. As I worked, for the greater majority of the day, at his table, he took advantage of the sun-shine and the warmth that radiated in through the windows. He basked on his “loft” and even in the sand below. Tail splayed, wings up and down, he truly took full advantage of what-ever the sun had to offer. It's one of the best parts of the Winter months, the sun shining in for most of the day. And even when the temperatures out-side plummet, the sun-shine gives Yonah such a great deal of warmth... and these days, as he's dropping feathers, warmth is so very important (along with proper nutrition... which he needs so very much now and I'm making sure he has, constantly, and I'm relieved to know that he has food available all through a night now that the “mouse situation” we had for a while is passed).
He even took another dip in his pool today too! As I sat at the work table, I heard the familiar “splash” as he got into the water and when I turned to look, sure enough, there he was, “lounging” beside the little “water-fall”. It does my heart so much good to see that he's able to do that, to have a little “bath” or even just a simple “splash”. And I always (still) wonder how many little birds “out there” never get that little pleasure. I can't recall ever having seen another bird with a “full bath” in its house. Maybe it's just me, but even last year, as I worked through the different sizes of “houses” for Yonah, I kept thinking that I HAD to figure a “pool” of some kind into the “furnishings”. ALL birds bathe, at some point in time. We see them, after a rain or a lawn-watering, splashing in little puddles. It only makes sense to provide a place for them... in our own houses. Ah... but then... that's probably just me. At any rate, yes, in-most-certain-deed... Yonah enjoys his pool, and it comforts me to know that he's able to do so, in clean water... when-ever he wants.
As I say though, although he appears to be in relatively good spirits, he enjoys our chats, but he doesn't want to be “handled”. He didn't even want to be on my shoulder today. BUT AGAIN... I've done my home-work today AND I've come to learn something “new” (that will be added to Yonah's “lists of what's what”)... Moulting isn't necessarily “painful”, but it IS exhausting and CAN be MOST uncomfortable! AND, I see in a number of different web-sites on all sorts of birds and moulting, IT'S NOT GOOD TO HANDLE a bird whilst moulting! Not only are they “not in the mood”, it can also cause troubles as the new, “pin feathers” are growing! SO... there I have it! Yes, indeed... Recommendations? Increased protein in the food. (I'll be busy “cooking”... mixing... tomorrow!) NO STRESS! (Even leaving them pretty much alone for a goodly time including a recommendation of providing extra “dark” and “sleep” time.) And no, birds don't tend to “sing” during moulting. So Yonah's not calling in the morning? Well, there we have it! Ah... One of these days I should go for some sort of “certification”? Nah... As long as Yonah and his “out-door flocks” are OK, I'm perfectly fine. (Though I'll keep his web-site running and up to date, to be most certain.)
Anyway, I've kept him company during the day and he's done the same for me. “Companions”... that's us!
And as the sun disappeared from the sky and dropped to hide behind the Western mountains this evening (shortly before 19.00!), we had a complete change of waters, making SURE that the water in his pool is fresh, clean and ready for either bathing or drinking (which he seems to prefer over his “dish” of late). Kitchen roll is clean and fresh. Curtains closed and light-blocks up before it got too dark in there for him to comfortably hop about and up to his “night perch”... and his radiator is on for the night. Tonight's forecast is for 14° (which means we'll probably get to about 10°). Tomorrow night? A “low” of 18°! TOASTY-TOASTY! (But the radiator is still at the ready, no matter what... especially while Yonah is losing feathers!) I've also found that keeping a temperature of 21° (approximately 70F) is best... Hey! I've already told Yonah he'll NEVER be “cold”! And he won't!
I'll have more “in-house” work to get to tomorrow, and I want to get to the woods to find some sort of “woodsy” items to put in Yonah's house. Last Winter he was almost “stark” in his surroundings. Not THIS year! If I can, I'll make him a veritable “wood-land” and “meadow” some-how! But we'll be able to spend MUCH time together, indeed!
For now, he's tucked-in, radiator on (just in case), all settled for the night. And tomorrow, he and I will face another day together... and THAT is ALL I, personally “need” in this “life”! My BESTIE BUD, MY SUPER COMPANION, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, MY HEART AND SOUL! MY LITTLE GUY!
Wednesday 22 September:
My LITTLE GUY is STILL dropping feathers today and TWO LARGE ones came falling off! OH... What makes it all the harder on my heart is knowing that he's not comfortable. And it's obvious... no “morning call”, he REALLY doesn't want “snuggles”, nor does he really want “smooches”. It truly IS difficult to see him this way and knowing that there's nothing I can do to help alleviate any of his discomfort! How I SO DO WISH I COULD!
But this morning, even before finishing first coffee, I “hit the mixer”... After last night's “investigative research” and learning about the “higher protein” needs, thankfully, I have a “collection” of “treats” in the fridge that contain peanuts, almonds, cashews, and the likes, and the jar of meal worms (that Yonah's not truly fond of but, they're here and... well... today they come in handy). The “treats” have been ground to “edible” size and kept cool and refrigerated, so there was little extra to be done with them. And there's another jar of ground sunflower seeds as well. SO... It was a morning of “mixology”. A few tablespoons of each of the treats went into the grinder, along with sunflower seeds and some meal worms... and all got “whirled and ground” a bit smaller. The new “mixture” got added to about 300 grams of the “regular diet” (mixture of seeds) and... TAH-DAH! A “high protein” delight! AND... I hard-boiled an egg, mashed that with a fork and for today's “serving” only, mixed that in as well. Yonah tends to “sort through” what-ever is in his food, tossing what doesn't appeal to him, but I want to make sure he gets the protein and fat I've learnt doves need during moulting. So, mixing it all together increases his chances of getting SOME of what he might not like... but needs. Well? It was “served”... and what-ever he wanted was eaten... through the day. (Not that he had any choice other than to reject it all.) No matter what... I make SURE he has the nutrition he needs... as well as all the other comforts that mourning doves, in their “natural habitat” are completely un-aware of... let's be honest.
BUT TODAY, HE DID COME TO THE BACK OF THE CHAIR AT THE WORK TABLE! AND ALTHOUGH THE FEATHERS ARE STILL DROPPING, AND HE *IS* LOOKING THE “EXPECTED SCRAGGLY” BUT... HE DID PECK AT MY NOSE WHEN I GOT CLOSE ENOUGH (which he hasn't done, “kindly”, the past couple of days) AND HE DID LET ME GET MY FACE CLOSER TO HIM! NOW THAT DOES MY HEART MORE GOOD THAN CAN BE EXPRESSED! AND WE DID THE “EVENING ROUTINE” EARLIER (again) THIS EVENING, SINCE IT WAS A BIT OF OVER-CAST TODAY AND THE “EVENING” IS SETTING-IN EARLIER THAN... WELL... EARLIER. I CHANGED THE FOOD IN HIS DISH, BECAUSE THERE WAS EGG IN IT AND I DON'T LEAVE THAT OVER-NIGHT AND... HE'S EATING SO VERY WELL !!! MY HEART IS AS FULL AS CAN BE RIGHT NOW!
These “moulting” days are almost as hard on me as they are on Yonah (I will have to say). I don't like seeing him even the slightest bit uncomfortable, for ANY reason. But, we had a WONDERFUL chat today and I told him how miserably I'm feeling about it all (maybe that's why he's being so sweet?), even as he dropped another large tail feather. No, I can't tell what it IS for him, but I CAN say that my heart goes quite heavy, seeing him with less enthusiasm and energy. I'm just looking SO forward to all of this being over and done and in the past. (Come to think of it, THIS moult is MUCH more than the one he had in Spring. I'll suppose THIS one is more drastic because it's the “Winter” moult? Maybe the “Spring” is a “freshen-up” but “Winter” is a complete change of ward-robe? I can HOPE! And I DO!)
Best part of the day? We got to be together for the entire part after noon! I worked on and have included notes on “moulting” on his “Medical” page! Pretty good! And yesterday, we did a bit of “coding” to (hopefully) make his site a bit more prominent on the internet “Search Engines”. We (I'll say “we”) want it to be prominent because it's so much information in one site, compiled from so many other sites and, well, “WE” both know what last Autumn and Winter were like, when the searching for ANY sort of information seemed all but hopeless. Here, it's a “one-stop”, pretty much, and ANY help to others who are venturing into the relationship that Yonah and I have grown together, is what we want them to have, so that THEY don't have to feel so lost and worse... alone.
All too soon... TOO too soon... “tuck-in”... Yonah's got a nice full crop, time to digest in peace, the sun sets, and tonight we're both “blessed” with a warm night to come... at a “low” of 19°! (Radiator on, but set low... just in case anyway. As I said to him at “Good night smooches”... which he didn't seem to mind tonight... OH HURRAY! “You don't have your full jammies! So I'm taking NO chances with the weather.” Kiss... kiss...) It really IS quite “early” tonight... even before 19.00! But longer nights are coming.
Soon, I'll have his “Natural Spectrum” light on in the evenings again. Ah... back to our first and early days together. I'm not “thrilled” at all about it. But, we made it through last Winter... together, we'll make it through another one... hopefully in good health and comfort. “WE” will make it through... as many days as there is “WE”.
I'm just relieved to see him getting some of his “affectionate” side back. Hopefully the worst part for him is coming to an end. MY LITTLE GUY! My Heart and Soul!
Thursday 23 September:
HOUSE-KEEPING DAY! Sand, moss, kitchen-roll... the ONLY “skip” was the pool. But the water in that got changed, completely, twice... this morning.
POOR YONAH! His moulting has left a bit of a “naked ridge” across his “brow” this morning. Oh, but he IS looking even more “scraggly”. And I'm associating that with a “vulnerability” to just about ANYTHING that might “take advantage” of his situation... the likes of mites and any other little un-seeable vermin. SO! EVERYTHING that might even remotely harbour such things, including his sand, got removed this morning, after “morning routine”, poor little guy, and his house got a good wash-and-wipe. Sands replaced. Moss got 10 thorough rinses in the kitchen basins, with agitation and the likes. That's now on kitchen-roll, in the dish drain-board until it's dry enough to put back for him. (After all the “rinses” it's gotten over the weeks, it's doubtful anything could “survive” so... I'm just hoping. He LIKES his moss, so I won't simply take it away, unless I see reason and cause to.) And his window is open, a beautiful breeze blowing in, with brilliant sun-shine pouring in as well. A “healthy” sort of day for him, and for me in that I feel better when I see he's in a good environment.
And Yonah? Well, he “supervised” every movement, the removal and replacement, the wiping and cleaning, from every possible vantage-point... on his perches. He DOES take an ACTIVE interest in goings-on. (Again... “sentient”...)
And when all the fuss was done, he even appears to appreciate it! We're “smooching” again! No “cuddles”, but I got “pecks” on the nose! At least we're still “Friends”! Honestly... anybody who might feel that Yonah isn't cognizant of his surroundings is, in my opinion, uneducated.
And he's eating well today, which is a MAJOR relief to me! It's his “high protein” mix again, today. So he's getting GOOD nutrition, at a time when it's most important. Ah... THAT'S MY GUY! MY LOVE! MY COMPANION!
As the day passed, he seemed to be “well”, considering his moulting and, I can only imagine how fatigued he must be, now that I understand the moulting process a bit better. But I had to leave the house for a couple of hours this after-noon and just before I left, I went in to tell him that I was leaving (as I do when-ever I have to leave) and, at first, I COULDN'T FIND HIM! He wasn't in ANY of his “usual” places! Ah... he was on the arm of his futon, behind a pillow, “basking” in the sun that POURED onto the spot. His window was open and apparently, the breeze was too strong, so he found a nice, quiet, still place and he was enjoying the sun-shine. So, I told him I'd be away and left, feeling miserable for needing to leave him, but comfortable knowing he was finding places he was most comfortable.
I was gone for about 90 minutes or so, and whilst out, stopped at the local market for a bag of unsalted, roasted peanuts (which I have to shell and grind... YONAH NEEDS HIS PROTEIN). Not much of a selection in our small market but I was glad to get some (which I will shell and inspect with extreme care tonight). When I got back, Yonah was ON THE FLOOR! He's done that, gone to the floor, only once before, and, as I recall, it was quite a while ago... when he'd first started to leave his house. And he did NOT want to go back to his house, and RAN from me when I tried to “cup him up” so as not to put any pressure on him, to help him back. I was concerned... as far as I knew, he hadn't eaten whilst I was away! WELL! After a bit of “trying”, I DID manage to “get him home” and, as it appears, he HADN'T eaten BUT, as soon as he was back home, he went directly for FOOD! (He does that when I leave: He won't eat until he knows I'm back, for some reason! And when I DO return, he'll go for food. This disturbs me, deeply!) Well, when he'd done eating, he go himself “established” on his usual perch, by the larger mirror, and there, he rested and digested... I had to prepare my own meal so I left him to digest in peace.
Alas, the day rolls by SO quickly now and when I was done with my meal and washing-up, I went in to change the waters, as it were (THRICE today... now THAT'S CLEAN WATER)... Although I got some “smooches” and light pecks on the nose, I can tell Yonah's not “pleased”, and he makes it “known” by his stance and whether or not I'm “welcome” to stick my head into his house for affection. Nope... not pleased at all. BUT... as I say, we DID get some “smooches” and as I changed the water in his pool, he had his “evening snack”. He IS eating AND drinking! I'd put his moss back in for a while, but it's still quite damp so I've removed it for the night to dry a bit. Yes, he needs “humidity” but I just don't want “wet” moss in there, especially over-night. It's supposed to be 17° for the low (we'll probably be closer to 12-15° though) so that's not “cold”, but “wet” moss... I'm not comfortable with the very idea. His window will be slightly opened for fresh air but still... no “wet” moss. I'll put it back tomorrow. And, waters changed, kitchen-roll cleaned, I put the light-blocks up for the night. (I'm thinking I might leave them up tomorrow... Birds often like darker places during moulting and, well... we'll see how Yonah is come morning, give it a couple of hours and we'll know better then.)
Tonight? I've already prepared the futon... I'll be in to keep him company, provided I have a “quiet” night of it and don't disturb him. He KNOWS when I'm there over-night and has always appeared to be better-tempered, “happy” to know that I'm there through the night. So tonight... we'll keep each-other company. I've nothing to do away form the house tomorrow, except get another container of sand, since I used some today, and maybe look for some pine needles for him... in the woods... so, we can sleep as late or as early as he wants... I'm not bringing any “alarm”... we'll rest until. (Besides, knowing that he doesn't mind me being there, I LOVE being able to spend the night with him!) And, if it gets too chilly, I'll be right there to close the window and/or put the radiator on.
PS: I had a doctor appointment today... a new doctor... and I told him “I have a 5-year minimum obligation” and told him I'm there to keep me around for Yonah, and I gave him a “card” of Yonah's web-site... by way of expressing, with certainty, that Yonah IS the SOLE reason I take care of me at all. If you're looking at any of this (I doubt it), you may think me some-what “eccentric” or even “questionably sane” but here it is... as you can see. What-ever you may think... Yonah IS my very existence. As you see... his Journal is kept to-date, as is the information on his other pages...
 Friday 24 September:
We had another one of those “QUITE THE DAY” days today! Yonah was in an AMAZING sort of mood all day!
To being with, I DID sleep the night on his futon and, as has been “usual” since he started moulting, there was no “wake-up” call. But when I opened my eyes, my head under the corner of his house where he usually sleeps (although he's not sleeping there of late, but, instead, has taken to sleeping on the opposite perch, for some reason), there he was, looking down at me. He KNOWS when I'm there, and it's “comforting”, to me, in a way, to see that he does, and he “watches” me as until I wake up.
OK... I saw that he was awake and I got up immediately and, as the kettle went on for morning coffee, so too, the “morning routine” began... changing the water in his pool, changing the kitchen roll where necessary, serving fresh food. And all the while, he calmly moved to the opposite perch to, as always, “supervise”.
Our day had begun! And his “play-list” of “bird-songs” went on for him.
After my coffee, I got busy opening the peanuts I'd gotten for him yesterday, and sorting them out, making sure that only the “best” went into his new “high-protein” meals. I was, I have to say, impressed. All but about 10 made it through. There wasn't anything particularly “wrong” with the “rejects”. Most of them were just shells that had cracked open and, well, I didn't want those in his food. (They were fine. I actually ate them... no problems.)
But AS I WAS BUSY AT HIS WORK TABLE, SHELLING PEANUTS, HE DECIDED NOT ONLY TO COME OUT OF HIS HOUSE, BUT... HE FLEW TO TH FLOOR OF HIS ROOM AND, AS I CONTINUED TO “SHELL”... HE TOOK A “WALK”... INTO THE KITCHEN! ON HIS OWN! OF HIS OWN CHOOSING! JUST STROLLED ALONG, OUT THE DOOR AND INTO THE KITCHEN! IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL TO SEE HIM, SO CONFIDENT, EXPANDING HIS “SPACE”! AND JUST AS NONCHALANT AS HE COULD BE! Honestly, I couldn't stop smiling! I didn't say anything because I didn't want to distract him in any way.
But he hadn't had any breakfast this morning, and I'd already ground his peanuts to “swallow-able” size and mixed them in with his previous “mix” (he's “Super Protein” now), the time approached noon, and I wanted to make sure he didn't go hungry, so I went to “encourage” him back to his house and food. HE WANTED NO PART OF SUCH A THING AND GAVE ME QUITE THE RUN! After a couple of minutes of me “following” him, trying to get him in the direction of “home”, he did go back to his room and took flight... directly into his house and... directly to his food. He WAS hungry! Why he didn't go back on his own is still a mystery to me. I know he knows his way there because at other times, he's never had any trouble getting back. Maybe he was enjoying the change? Well...
I had typing to catch-up on today so I moved into his room and into the BRILLIANT sun-light that came pouring in. And as I typed, Yonah basked in the sun-shine.
At about 15.00, I wanted to take a brief snooze, as I do some days, so I set an alarm for 15.30 and had a lie-down on his futon. Yonah was still basking so all was well... WHEN I WOKE UP, HE WAS ON THE BACK OF THE DESK CHAIR, AGAIN, JUST LOOKING AT ME! Ever-so silent, just perched, quite comfortably, looking directly at me! Now, I'll dare anybody to tell me that doves don't know what they're doing, aren't cognizant of their surroundings, don't notice “people” and such! Yonah looks at me in the morning, when I nap... he's OBVIOUSLY happy (most of the time) to see me when I go into his room, he shows OBVIOUS changes in mood when I have to be away for several hours... and then we know that mourning doves “mate for life” so... This is the very definition of the term “sentient”!
How DARE “humans” shoot, murder doves simply for “sport”, for “fun”! And if the claim is for “food”, there's little more pathetic, considering the size of a mourning dove! How repulsive! How, in my opinion, mentally, morally and ethically bereft! Anyway... I have to not think about it. It actually causes me physical pain, from the degree of repulsion. So I move on...
Meal time rolled around and I moved to the kitchen where I prepared my dinner as Yonah went on about his own business in his room. Food cooked, I sat at table to eat and, as I do, catch the evening news... and AS I SAT THERE... OUT CAME YONAH... STROLLING ALONG THE FLOOR, LOOKING ABOUT, PECKING AT SOMETHING HERE AND THERE! THE LITTLE GUY IS REALLY GETTING OUT AND ABOUT! IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR THAT THIS HAS BEEN HIS HOUSE, HIS HOME, HIS TERRITORY, AND HE'S NOW REALLY GETTING COMFORTABLE IN IT! BUT... I SAW HIM PECKING AT ANY LITTLE SPECK ON THE CARPETING AND IT APPEARED HE WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING... PERHAPS FOOD. SO... again, with a little “following” and talking to him... he took flight. But he went to the back door and to the perch I have set-up for him on the screen door. So I went over, extend my hand... AND HE GOT ON IT AND WE WENT BACK TO HIS HOUSE, CALMLY, WHERE, WHEN HE GOT THERE, HE HOPPED OFF MY HAND AND AGAIN, WENT TO EAT! But seeing him roaming about, on his own... A FIRST! AND IT'S SUPER!
In other news: he really is still moulting and it's becoming obvious. His feathers aren't as “silky-shiny” as they were and they're obviously not as “thick” or “heavy”. And the bit that had cause a bit of a “gap” across the bridge of his beak is now “clear”... No signs of “parasites” or any “injury”, and, let's face it, he's NOT “lethargic” or lacking in energy. So, as much as I wish I could do more to “help him” through all of this, he seem to be doing quite OK. (What I need to do is check the photos and notes from last year... to see how long that moulting lasted. All I DO remember is how WORRIED I was, wondering why he was dropping feathers... so soon after coming into the house. Ah... a year later... Yonah's taught me SO MUCH! THAT'S MY GUY!) At least now I know he's getting the protein he needs now, and good vitamins, he's got a clean home, he's got the warmth he needs and he's got a place to splash about if he gets too “itchy”. THAT TOO, is such a MAJOR difference from last year. Yep... My teacher.
And so... it wasn't long after my meal that the time I dislike most of a day came rolling round: the sun began to set, the room and house began to darken (for all it does with the horrific new “LED” street light installed directly AT the house... but that's a matter for other places... yes, I'm trying to fight it, though, fighting inconsideration from apathetic dolts... never mind... the worst of it, for me, is that it also glares into Yonah's room all night!  But, wooden blinds are on the shopping list. Best I can do... short of painting the window panes black and covering them with foil... honestly!)
So, now, as I type, Yonah's tucked-in for the night, fresh water in pool and drinking (which, essentially are one and the same, though in different receptacles), and clean kitchen-roll. He's on his “other” sleeping spot and because we're back to 10° nights, his radiator is on... Oh... and his futon is “made”... I'll be joining him again tonight. Considering his “better mood” today after I was there last night, if it makes him happy knowing he's not alone at night...
HOW I WISH I COULD EXPRESS JUST HOW MUCH LOVE I HAVE FOR THIS LITTLE GUY! But, it's impossible... I'll just repeat: He IS my HEART-BEAT!
And tomorrow I have to post more photos... TIME WITH YONAH! WOOHOO(hoo-hoo-hoo).
Saturday 25 September:
Oh, but my intentions were sincerely the best, but, due to “age-related” aches and pains of a night, I tried to settle on Yonah's futon, but had to get up again, shortly after and rather than disturbing him through the night, I had to leave him and go to my own room. And when I got up, at round-about mid-night, quietly, and started to leave, he gave his ever-so quiet “Hoo. Hoo. Hoo.” He was awake and saw me leaving! How it hurt my heart! So, I quietly told him that every-thing was OK, and that I was just going to my room, right next to his, and that if every-thing would “settle”, I'd be back, other-wise, I'd see him in the morning. I just wouldn't disturb him through the night. Especially not at a time when his rest is so essential. (I did manage to get some sleep though... in spite of the brilliant, glaring street-light that's much brighter in my room than in his. We're truly going to have to find more suitable living... and, hopefully, soon.)
This morning? Ah well... I woke, of my own, at about 6.30 and Yonah appeared to be, at least, “resting” where he was when I'd removed to my room last night, and he was calm quiet... I let him continue until about 7.30 when I peeked in to see that he'd moved... he was on the opposite perch... awake! And that's when our day began... “Mourning routine”, the changing of waters and fresh breakfast served. And he'd already eaten... and quite a bit, too! At the very least, he's still got appetite, a “healthy” appetite, and he IS eating!
But, the poor little guy... this moulting is leaving his face in need of some protection! BUT, now that I have a better understanding of what's happening these days, I can see the new feathers coming in! Oh... it's not the “superficial” or “cosmetics” of all of this, but I look forward to the day when he has a “full coat” of feathers again. The nights are getting colder, the days are getting cooler, and although he has a radiator, it would be a comfort (to both of us, I'm sure) to see him fully protected. Oh... how time will pass so quickly in some circumstances and so slowly in others. “Nature” and “Creation”... Neither are “perfect”, no matter how we shake them.
Other-wise, I finished my morning coffee and moved into Yonah's room where the daily agenda includes (but is not limited too) putting the latest photos onto the pages and server, and, for the most part, tweaking more on his site which is a never-stagnant presence. Journal entries, new photos, new pages... nope, never stagnant. AND a delight to work on, primarily because I can do MOST of the work WITH YONAH!
And we're both thankful that the day is “mostly sunny”, a bit hazy from time-to-time, but sunny, for the most part, so Yonah can bask and there's warmth coming in through the windows.
And so, at the end of the day... it was, well, it couldn't have been any other... SUPER! We DID get to spend it ALL together. And I worked, Yonah basked and rested for most of the day (oddly, until it was “Dinner Time”... for both of us). I was about to get up from the table when... “FLUTTER”... he came to the perch as his door and in his “old familiar fashion”, I got a “WING-SNAP”!!! It seems as if that hasn't happened in SUCH A LONG WHILE! So I moved the chair to sit beside him and chat. I won't try for “cuddles” because of his new feathers coming in, but WHAT AN ABSOLUTE JOY to be able to sit beside him and just chat... AND I GOT A COUPLE OF “SMOOCHES” IN WITH PECKS ON THE NOSE IN RETURN! WOW! Of course... that all lasted until he decided to grab a bit of dinner and... up to the food he went. BUT I WAS (still am) THRILLED!
OK, so I did my meal whilst he had and digested his and... after his meal, he came OUT of his house, for the first time all day, really! He sat on the shelf beside the work table as I ate!
Ah... but then... how I don't like this time of year... by the time I was done with the washing-up, it was really just about time to get to the “evening routine”! And Yonah seemed to some-how “know” because, as I went into his room, he headed back to his house! AND... whilst I “changed the waters” he had a bit more to eat. It still amazes me how he's so accustomed to me reaching in and out of his house that it doesn't phase him at all! It's THAT “TRUST” that just deepens my ADORATION of him! And it's that “TRUST” that I swear to NEVER betray in ANY way! EVER!
Early as it was, when I'd finished “house-keeping”, I closed his curtains and put up his “back-board” for the night... AND I GOT A FEW MORE “SMOOCHES”!
POOR LITTLE GUY! HIS FACE ABOVE HIS BEAK LOOKS SO “ROUGH” NOW. All the “old” feathers are gone and the stubs of the new ones are coming up. It LOOKS TO BE SO UNCOMFORTABLE! BUT HE TAKES IT ALL IN STRIDE! How my heart aches to see him this way and how I SO HOPE that this will all pass, and he'll be back to his “usual” self again... SOON! BUT, as I tell him: No matter what... HE'S INDESCRIBABLY BEAUTIFUL TO ME... ALWAYS!
Well, once I got him tucked-in, and he got himself comfy on his perch, I put his radiator on. Another “10° night” coming. (Next week, we have a spate of only 8° nights! BUT... his radiator is there... and there's a “spare”, should he need it!) AND... I'm going to TRY AGAIN... another night with him. (Yeah, I'm “that far gone”... I just DO LOVE being in the room with him over-night so I KNOW he's warm enough.) So, we'll see how it all turns, out.
Meanwhile, we're still working on a “Quick List” of topics covered in the rest of his site. I was going to try to get it done tonight but... we have all day, again, tomorrow...unless I get out to find him some sort of “nesting material”. I'd like to get him some grasses and pine needles... make him a little “place to snuggle” if he should want to, come the cooler days and nights. I'm even pondering how to make him a little “house-in-the-house”... like a little “Dove house” of wood where he can go to, should he want. THAT'S going to take some planning though. After all, his house now (the “cage”, as it would be called) has limited space and although he REALLY DOES SEEM COMFORTABLE in it as it is... Well, it would have to be in there over-night as well... when his door is closed. I'd put it in the room some-where but, if he tries, for any reason, to fly in the dark... I don't even want to consider.
And so... this brings another wonderful day to a close... and I'll be off to “futon”, beside MY GUY... shortly.
OH! HEY! His photos are up-to-date today though. I DID get those in!
Sunday 26 September:
Ah well then, another day comes to a close as I finally get a moment to record the day's... “Events”? Well, yes, they are, because EVERY moment with Yonah is an “event”, to be sure.
To begin, I woke this morning, to the now-familiar “surveillance” of my MOST PRECIOUS LOVE, there, above my head, looking down from his perch, ever-so silently, as he waited for me to get up and start moving about. Now THAT'S the perfect beginning to ANY day! I've no idea how long he'd been awake, but there he was, already, up and ready to take on another day. And seeing him, knowing that he's OK, is what gives me the incentive and impetus to get up and face another day. And yes, indeed, I did... our “morning routine” commenced with immediacy.
I saw that he'd already had something to eat already, and THAT is SUCH a JOY... knowing that he has an appetite and that he's satisfying it. As long as he's eating and eating WELL, we can handle what-ever else “Life” and “Nature” might throw at us.
And as I changed the water in pool and drinking cup, he went for another nosh. As I say, I'm amazed at how he just goes on about his own business even as I put my hands and arms into his house. For so long, I'd wait until he was done eating or preening or what-ever else he might have to do, before disturbing him in any way. Now, I don't disturb him at all. He knows I'm there only to make things as good for him as I possibly can, and, when I get “pecks” and “smooches” after it's all done, I'd say he “consciously” appreciates it. (Let others say what they will about it, but the fact that we get to “cozy” after I've done the “house-keeping” shows me that he DOES acknowledge and appreciate it.)
After all the “morning house-keeping” was complete, I sat in the kitchen to have my coffee, and Yonah's curtains were open to the early morning day-light... cloudy as it was for most of this chilly morning. I say “chilly” because it was 7° when we woke this morning! 7° out of the “10°” that was forecast last night. (This coming week, we're to have a spate of 8° nights... and I seriously doubt they'll stay that “warm”... but we're prepared... radiators at the ready. MY GUY will NEVER be “chilled”! And I'll see to that! No matter what!)
I had nothing much else on today's “Sunday Agenda” than to get to work on a list of “Toxins”... “toxic plants” and other things around a house that threaten a dove's health and general well-being. I've wanted to get the list on his web-site all along but, admittedly, I get distracted during a day and though I'd started... I decided that I wouldn't stop until it was done... today. So, I moved me into his room... as the sun broke through the morning clouds and his room was DRENCHED in BRILLIANT sun-light!
OH! Did HE ever enjoy THAT! Basking for most of the day, AND EVEN TOOK A BIT OF A DIP IN THE POOL TOO! (Video to be included on his “Video” page, to be sure.) I'm ALWAYS quite happy when I see him using his pool (for something other than an occasional drink). And I still wonder about all the birds I've ever seen in my life-time, kept in literal “cages”... with nothing more than a little receptacle of water. Nothing to splash about in. I wonder how people can be so closed- and narrow-minded, so negligent, that they make sure they have a place in which to bathe (whether regularly or seldom) but they don't consider a little feathered life in their care. Ah... “people”... “humans”... not the best-evolved beings in Creation, to be absolutely sure. Anyway, Yonah has his pool, his little fountain under his little white pine. And he has his sand to bask and scratch about in... a bit of moss to lie in (and I'm still trying to work on some pine needles and such... more of his “natural” environment in his house).
So, we sat together ALL day. Yonah taking things easy “at home” and me, working on HIS “presence” on this thing people call the “internet”. It was delightful. And we listened to the radio playing quietly.
One note of today: Yonah's been so quiet since this moulting began. No “woo-HOO...” in the morning, nor during the day! I'm imagining he's just “out of sorts” and “tired” from it all. But today, he DID give 2 “woo-HOO-hoo-hoos”! Albeit rather quiet, and not as “clear” as his usual. He DOES sound “tired”. But hearing him again, after what feels so long a while, was a tonic to my old spirit! And his face is showing NEW FEATHERS coming back! It's still rather “empty”, of a sort, but the fresh feathers are visible now! I'm excited! And I'm SO anxious for this period in his life to be complete soon. To be honest, seeing him as quiet as he is takes a toll on my heart and soul as well. And I always wish there was something I could do to help him through it all. But... Nature... this is what his life is... and as with all in Creation... “this too, shall pass”. We (he and I) just have to be patient... I suppose.
I keep looking at the mourning doves in the yard to compare them with Yonah and, frankly, though I don't see any “drastic” moulting, I can see the difference in the “texture” and “sheen” of their feathers as well. I'm imagining that they might have already gone through the worst of their moulting... at least, with nights getting so cold, I HOPE they've done! (OH! HOW I WISH I COULD BRING THEM ALL IN FOR THE WINTER! But, sensibly, I do know better and that it wouldn't be at all fair to any of them... especially come the warmer weather when they'd have to get back to their “normal” routines. After all, SOME, though NOT ALL, of Yonah's situation today is because, well, warmth, cleanliness, the best food I can find, fresh water... all the time, sure, he'd most-likely return to his “natural” routine after a while, but... at this juncture, that would be just cruel... NOT to mention, with his wing still not being at 100%... putting him back “out there” would be unjustifiably evil. But I certainly don't mind giving him all the care and LOVE I have... What he gives in return isn't expected but it's a gift and honour that can't be compared to ANY JOY in life!)
But... “evening” managed to sneak up on us, as it does, all too soon! I had my daily “meal”, and Yonah had his “evening meal” whilst I dined. And after, it was already time to get to “tuck-in”! I had his “Natural Spectrum” light on today, to compensate for the “dark” moments we had now and again. And it's a time for him to “get used to it” again... because the darker days are rushing in on us now and there will me many to come where that “extra light” will be needed. So, as the room got darker, I left it on as I got to evening house-keeping and Yonah got to “evening nosh”. And now, as I type this all, he is “tucked-in”... and, well... I've got his futon made-up... for me... for later... yeah... again. (It's a bit difficult to break a little habit of sleeping in his room... it's just so comforting to know that he's right there. There isn't any room in my bed-room for his house, and it would be un-fair to suddenly take away “HIS” room, where he can, if he wants, be to him-self. AND, he's made it MORE than obvious, MANY times, that he KNOWS “HIS” room by flying back, directly to it, when he's else-where in the house. So... so... I “visit”... over-night... and he doesn't seem to mind so...)
OK. Time to get this little entry posted. His pages are complete. I'll get to his video and such tomorrow, when we have another day to spend together. There aren't any “errands” to run, and there's no “yard-work” to be done. I would like to get to the meadow and check for “nesting materials” at some point. There's a “threat” of a bit of rain during the day, but the claim is “lightly” so... we shall see.
Oh, the last 2lbs of sand are in the beginning “bake”. When this batch is done, we'll have 8lbs in the house... in preparation for Winter! (Last Winter I kept waiting for the river-banks to thaw enough so that I could get some, but... they didn't until late Spring. We won't be thinking about that this Winter! And Yonah DOES enjoy basking in his sand so... And he does eat a bit of it... as doves do... so I make CERTAIN that it's clean and sterile! Baked in a 500°F oven... thrice, after a thorough rinsing. The nicest part about this river sand is that water rinses perfectly clear over it, unlike the sand bought in bags. Pure mountain rock, this. Perfect for my “pure mountain GUY”!)
Monday 27 September:
Our day started this morning, with the “late break” of the dawn, and again, no “morning call”. I'm SO hoping that this passes, that it's just a “mood” or the “exhaustion” caused by the moulting! But as I sat at the work table, at long last, at about 9.45, Yonah came flying out of his house and headed for hi favourite place on the wall shelves. That's a relief... seeing him out and about his room. (Sadly, the house was cool this morning, and the skies are quite grey, rains in the forecast. No brilliant sun-shine to lend light and warmth today. Ah... “those Winter days” are approaching... and I wonder where the “Summer” went? It came and passed entirely too quickly this year.)
BUT FEATHERS ARE GROWING IN THIS MORNING! YONAH'S FACE IS RETURNING TO A MUCH “HEALTHIER”, “FULLER” APPEARANCE! So that too, is promising! “Time”... “Patience”... And I keep a careful look... always. MY LITTLE GUY IS GETTING A NEW WARDROBE! (He's GORGEOUS no matter what though.)
As the day rolled along, it never got sunny... and I had to make a run into town which always causes me pain-in-the-heart. A mere 45 minutes and when I got back... there was a little “change in mood”! Yonah went to have a nosh (as he does when I leave the room for any length of time and come back in... hey! I'm THRILLED to see him EAT!) AND... I GOT A “WING-SNAP” AND SMOOCHES! AND HIS FEATHERS ARE LOOKING SO MUCH BETTER AS THIS DAY IS PASSING! WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT THROUGH THIS... OH YES WE ARE! He's my inspiration, incentive, sole reason for even bothering with the next moment! And there's never been a truer Truth in ALL of Creation! MY GUY!
NOW... A * NEWS FLASH * !!! AT 19.31 I'D DONE THE EVENING ROUTINE, WATERS AND KITCHEN-ROLL CHANGED, YONAH'S HOUSE WAS ALL SETTLED FOR THE NIGHT BUT TONIGHT, I PUT HIS “NATURAL SPECTRUM” LIGHT ON... AT ABOUT 18.45 BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE MIGHT ENJOY A BIT OF LIGHT FOR A WHILE LONGER, CONSIDERING IT WAS SUCH A DREARY DAY. I WENT TO THE KITCHEN TO SORT THROUGH SOME PHOTOS AND VIDEOS (posted to his “Portfolio”) AND AS I WORKED ALONG IN A QUIET HOUSE I HEARD... “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”.... AND THEN ANOTHER “woo-Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo” !!! HE HASN'T “CALLED” IN WHAT FEELS LIKE WEEKS, EVER SINCE HIS MOULTING STARTED !!! HE WAS READY TO GO “SEEPIE-NIGH-NIGHT” AND WAS CALLING TO LET ME KNOW !!! MY LITTLE GUY'S COMING BACK! HE'S LOOKING VERY WELL! With the new feathers on his fore-head, I told him today “You look like a new Marine with a buzz-cut! SO HANDSOME!” AND YES, IT IS A GRAND RELIEF TO SEE THOSE FEATHERS COMING IN! BUT TO HEAR HIM CALL AGAIN WAS LIKE A GRAND SYMPHONY TO MY CORE! HE'S COMING THROUGH THIS LITTLE “HORROR” AND WE ARE COMING THROUGH IT TOGETHER! THAT'S MY LITTLE GUY! MY LOVE! MY HEART! MY SOUL! MY BEING! MY BABE! MY ALL!
So now, as I type to finish today's entry, he's tucked-in, lights off, radiator on, and there's quite the rain-fall out-side tonight. It's 16° now, but will hit 10° over-night so the radiator's on “3,5” out of “6”, mostly against any possible chill-damp. TOMORROW night will be our “test”... Forecast for 6° (so it's going to be about 4° here). But no matter what the temperature out-side or even in the rest of the house... Yonah's room will ALWAYS be warm and toasty... AT LEAST AND NO COOLER THAN 21°! THAT'S MY VOW. But right now, tonight, I'm at ease because his house is clean and in order, fresh food and water available when-ever he wants, it's warm in his room and he's safe from ALL else! (And, in a little while, I'll be joining him. MY LITTLE HEART-BEAT! “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo”... INDEED !!!)
Tuesday 28 September:
Well... I was up and about by about 6.00 this morning and, from the morning's “Droppings Check”, Yonah (and I, since I was on his futon all through the night) had a restful night. (When droppings are confined to one place on his floor, one of the many benefits of white kitchen-roll, it's a wonderful indication that he was in one place through the night. Nothing startled him. Nothing caused him to move about. He “rested”, and these days, more than most others, considering his moulting, rest is SO important, and it does my heart SO VERY MUCH good to know that he's getting as much as possible.) When I got up to start the day, he gave a few quiet “hoo's” but I gave him two more hours, of his own, before getting to his “morning routine”. And when, at about 8.00, I went in to open curtains and such, HE WAS A DELIGHT! I GOT “SMOOCHES” THIS MORNING! HE'S FEELING BETTER! (And, because of that, so too, am I!) AND HE ATE VERY WELL, this morning! Appetite. Eating. Smooches. It's a beautiful day! Too bad though, that it's supposed to be another “grey” day. But his “Natural Spectrum” light is on, so there's a bit of “sun-shine”, as it were, for him. Oh, but the days ahead will be much more artificial lighting. Reminiscent of our first days (weeks, really) together. But his room was and is warm, and he's protected against the winds and chills of the out-side... plenty of food, fresh water to drink and bathe in. The radio on... a little music. And we have another day... TOGETHER! Let the rest of the world do what it will... WE have each-other... and personally, I need nothing more.
I had a CRY today... Yonah gave another “woo-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo” and it sounded so “weak” and when I looked to check on him, he raised his head, as he does when basking in the sun, and his neck feathers are SO sparse now... and with the others coming in on his face... well, MY HEART SHATTERED! I REALLY AM ALMOST DESTROYED AT THE VERY THOUGHT OF HIM BEING EVEN SLIGHTLY UNCOMFORTABLE IN ANY WAY, AND TO SEE HIM AS HE IS THESE DAYS... IT LITERALLY TEARS ME APART! Yes, at some point, I DO understand that he's going through a “seasonal moulting”, but my LITTLE GUY has been through SO much in these past 11 months... being attacked, brought into this house... a complete change of environment, learning to deal with a “human”! And he's taken it all in such stride. I just wept! HE IS MY ENTIRE WORLD AND BEING!
And I put in a call to the local “Avian Rescue” to ask if they could suggest a proper veterinarian... I'd sent a message on their web-site some month ago and never received a courtesy reply, never mind, any information, so, it appears they can't really be trusted, in spite of all their “hoo-hah” about being so “caring”. Here we go again... left on our own. That too, weighs on my soul. If people can't be forthright and honest... well... I have no faith in “humans” anyway so... this just helps substantiate that much. Yonah and I are, pretty much, on our own. Well... as long as I'm here for him for as long as he needs anybody... that's all I'm working toward. After that...
I HAVE begun work on a “floor lamp” for him for the Winter months. I've cut the pole and will be working on sanding it and assembling in the days to come. All from “scratch”, as it were. I want him to have sufficient light during the grey, darker days to come. He has a “Natural Spectrum” light now, but it's a “desk-style” that sits a-top his house... from last year. This one will be free-standing, higher up, giving him more space under, and I'll get a timer for it to make sure he has enough hours of light and dark. (Next is to work on better-blocking that horrific LED street-light that was installed out-side our windows. THAT is, for me, a declared “WAR”. It's completely un-necessary, directed AT the window! Hey! I've NO tolerance for ANYTHING that inconveniences Yonah! They have NO idea what “foe” they're facing now... as can be verified by a great many who've come to know me... where Yonah's concerned.)
But he did have his light on for some time this evening as the skies clouded. And tonight, we did “evening routine” with freshest waters and food for the night.
Tonight's forecast is for 5°, so that means closer to about 2°, so his radiator is on, the door to his room is closed... and tonight, because I NEED to know that he's OK... again, I'll be with him.
In case it hasn't already become clear, I'll just say it again... THIS LITTLE GUY IS MY LIFE! AND IF WE HAVE TO BATTLE THE WORLD TOGETHER, ALONE... WE'LL DO IT! FOR AS LONG AS WE BOTH HAVE... WE'LL DO IT AND WE'LL MAKE IT!
Wednesday 29 September:
Last night, Yonah and I had a most peaceful night, together, and I could tell, this morning, that he had a restful night because, as it is when he's had a calm night, all the “poop” was over his usual “sleep spot”. That, this morning, was a most-welcome relief to me. And I woke quite early to start the day, and left him to get a couple more hours to himself, in peace and quiet.
He's not quite his regular “Love me!” self yet though. When I went to open his curtains and such, he hopped to what-ever side of his house was opposite me. And through the day, when I'd go to talk with him, he made it obvious that he didn't want to be “bothered”. Thankfully, my own research shows, repeatedly, that these little ones can have a complete shift in their other-wise “loving” and “lovable” demeanours, but it's still rather painful to me, knowing Yonah's in any sort of “discomfort”.
The feathers on his forehead look like they're growing back in nicely, but he's still got that “be-draggled” appearance, over-all. And be OBVIOUSLY does NOT want to be “cuddled”! Nor does he want “smooches”. And if I even TRY to get any sort of “closeness”, he does his best to dodge and avoid. I don't want to “hold” him, and I don't want to stroke him as I've always done because I can't tell what, exactly, will cause him and sort of discomfort. But my instincts just want to do something to let him know that I still LOVE him. So I settle for some soft “chats”, sitting beside his house, and watching him... as he still scratches, and pulls downy feathers, dropping them to the floor. And no, he's not showing any signs of losing feathers, in that, there are no “bald” spots, and no indications of any sort of “parasites”. (I keep his feathers in a glass jar, with the lid on them, and I check, regularly, to see if there's ANY indication of mites, or other little “creatures”. Nope. Nothing but feathers. And I constantly check the kitchen-roll, during the day and especially when I change it, twice daily, for anything other than the usual poop and the seeds he tosses about when he eats. Thankfully, there too, no signs of any sort of “infestation”.)
He DOES have his usual appetite, and since he doesn't go to his “roof-top” now, preferring mostly, to stay “in his house”, I see that he's eating very well and drinking water after. His poop is its usual colours: from light brown to dark brown, with the solid urine in good proportion. One thing I've done though is, I've returned to his regular diet of seeds for a while. All the sunflower seeds and the peanuts didn't seem to “settle” well with him. He “yawned” more often than ever, stretching his neck, open mouth (which is good, because I get to see his mouth, to check for any sort of illness there, which doves can be prone to... all's “clear” there, thankfully), and it sometimes appears that he has something stuck, either in his mouth or throat. So far, nothing shows and I wonder if it might not be from all the feathers he picks at. But as I say, his appetite is very good and there's ALWAYS fresh food and water available to him (as usual). So, appetite and eating are encouraging (to me... the worrier).
Today, I didn't put the radio or his “Play-list” of birds on, and gave him a quiet day... well, as quiet as could be as I worked in the kitchen most of the after-noon... I've cut all the “parts” for his new “floor lamp”! It took several hours and there was much sawing (with hand-saw), and the clean-up after, running the Hoover. So he KNEW that he wasn't alone all day. (And I took “breaks” to go in, sit with him, and chat.) As for the lamp, it seems to be a good size and such, and sturdy. Tomorrow, I'll do the “assembly” of the pole and bracket, and then, get the parts to make the “lamp-proper”. The days are growing ever-shorter and more grey... I remember last October, when I had a little desk lamp on for him through most of the day and into the evenings, and this time, he has a “Natural Spectrum” light which should be more pleasant for him... and I'm making sure he has that, especially when the time comes when days will be shortest and darkest. Poor little guy.
One other thing too, that I'm noticing is that he's especially “attentive” to the reflections in the little mirrors he has. He pecks at the mirrors for a while, and it's almost as if he sees the reflection as being another dove. If he's feeling “lonely”... I'm SO uncertain as to what I ought to do! Introducing another dove into what's been “HIS” house... and since it won't be another mourning dove, I'm not sure how he'll take to that. Another male? There might be “territory fights”. A female? What if he doesn't like her... or she doesn't like him? And since the other one will be another sort of dove, will there be “compatibility” issues? Doves are known to be “docile”, for the most part, but male mourning doves can be quite territorial. As a matter of fact, I've seen female doves, especially in the back of the house, when feeding, become QUITE ANIMATED, chasing ALL the other mourning doves away and taking a posture of “dominance”. So, I'm in a bit of a quandary here on all of this. But I always make certain to let Yonah know that he's NOT alone.
Other-wise, he comes to the perch at his door a time or two during a day. Certainly not as much as he used to. And even though he does take “jaunts” to his places on the wall shelf, they're not as frequent as they used to be. As I say, he seems to want to spend most of his time “at home” now.
I was looking at the photos from last October, to check on when he moulted last Autumn. Not a “perfect” reference, considering the circumstances of him having been attacked and then coming into the house... that horrid little make-shift cage and all. But I noticed that, from start to finish, last year, it took about 3 months for the entire process. And last year, it was almost negligible compared to this year. This has only been a matter of several weeks since it all started, and as I say, THIS moulting is MUCH more that last year. So, it's probably going to be the end of December or some time in early January before “life returns to good” again... for both of us.
Meanwhile, though the night temperatures are dropping into the single digits, the rest of the house is “taking the chill” as this old place does, one thing for certain: Yonah's room remains at NOTHING LOWER than 21°! And no matter what, I will see to it that THAT remains a constant. It's enough he has to go through the exhaustion and discomfort of moulting. I won't have him “chilled” as well. (And that's a large part of my reason for sleeping in his room now... to make certain that it NEVER “takes the chill” over-night. I've no other way of knowing, so... there I am.) Yes, I did, this morning, run the furnace for a brief while, to take last night's chill out of the air. Sadly, the first run of the season is... well... “fumey”, so I opened the doors as well... just long enough to get the “stale air” out and “fresh air” in. It's “forced air”, that “old fashioned” stuff. I don't want dust and such floating around in here in the air. So... I keep that to a minimum. After all, Yonah has his own radiator, his own room... and his own “climate”. That's my GUY! And that's HIS house and home!
Well, the day comes to a close, the sun's long gone already. Yonah's tucked-in... fresh food and water, clean house. I have his door slight a-jar, mostly closed, to keep his warmth in and any noise in the rest of house out. I'll be joining him in a matter of time and we'll have another wonderful night together. I often wonder if he actually notices that I'm in the room through the night. If he does, I hope it's a comfort to him to know that he really ISN'T “alone”. I'm not the “perfect company”, but I DO try.
One last note: I'd called the “North East Avian Rescue” yesterday to ask for any sort of guidance in finding a compassionate, professional veterinarian around... still no reply/response. Their web-site makes them appear SO caring, concerned, compassionate, loving... I'm beginning to wonder. They were in great consideration as a place who would, if ever need arose, care for and about Yonah... as I say, if ever “need” arose. Now? I wonder... But we, Yonah and I, have time for more consideration about such things, and I'll just look around for a proper doctor for him. Once again... on our own. But... we have each-other and one-another! And to be sure... he has ME!
Thursday 30 September:
 8.26 and Yonah is up, waters changed, he's had a little bit of breakfast and the feathers on his brow are coming in quite nicely, though they're not “complete”. He seems to be in better spirits this morning, though, not quite “back to him-self”. But ANY change for the “better” is SO WONDERFUL! (Shame, really, that this morning is grey and damp and chilly. But, it's 23° in his room, the rest of the house is of no consequence to me. And his “Bird-songs Play-list” is on.)
WELL OK! AT DAYS' END...
Yonah now has a “floor lamp” with his “Natural Spectrum” bulb in it! All the parts that were cut yesterday were assembled this morning... into this after-noon... a little longer than I'd thought because of trying to get the “wiring” together and configuring the outlets and such. BUT... IT'S UP! AND IT WAS ON THIS EVENING! AND IT WORKS VERY WELL!
ALSO TODAY... Yonah took a bit of a “splash” in his pool again! (And, of course... VIDEO, and a photo.) THAT did my heart a WORLD of GREATNESS! It wasn't at all very warm today, and there wasn't much sun to speak of, but he had the desire and... I'm THRILLED that he has the pool right there wen the mood strikes!
ADD TO THAT... AT 17.22 THIS EVENING... AS I WAS GETTING THINGS TOGETHER TO CHANGE HIS POOL WATER... CUDDLES ! SNUGGLES ! SMOOCHES ! MY LITTLE GUY IS MAKING A COME-BACK ! HE DIDN'T DODGE-AWAY ! AND HE DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND ! IN FACT, HE SEEMED TO ENJOY ! TONIGHT I AM ECSTATIC, OVER-WHELMED, OVER-JOYED, HEAVNLY !!! His feathers are still coming in, especially around his face and lower beak, but his beak is at a healthy length (he must be pecking at all the stones I've put in for him recently), AND WE GOT TO CUDDLE, SNUGGLE AND SMOOCH! He has sufficient lighting for the dreary days to come, plenty of good food, fresh water, kitchen-roll... a radiator to keep him warm. I expect a bit of a “drag” through this Winter, but... NOTHING like last Winter! WE'RE GOING TO BE JUST GREAT!
Speaking of “Winter”, tonight's forecast is threatening with a low of 4° and a “chill” of 2° (which I read as a low of 2° and a “chill” of -1°). HEY! His radiator is REALLY GOOD for his room... but I'll be in there tonight, just to make certain that there's no “COLD”!
SO... LIGHT, BATH, CUDDLES, SNUGGLES, SMOOCHES !!! And he's all tucked-in for the night. In fact, when I'd done tonight's “evening routine” and got him all settled, he was on his little “loft” but, as soon as the light went out... with the light from the kitchen to navigate... he headed right for his usual “seepie-nigh-night” spot! Yeah... he's not “over” all this moulting but HE'S COMING THROUGH IT! (So that means... WE'RE coming through it!)
AND TOMORROW... IS OCTOBER... AND ON THE 13TH... WE'LL BE CELEBRATING OUR 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY !!! THAT'S MY GUY! THAT'S MY BABE! THAT'S MY HEART! THAT'S MY SOUL! THAT'S MY CORE! THAT'S MY “BEING” !!!
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