Rock Dove

Dear friend,

When I went outside to empty the bins, there was a young rock dove standing on the lintel of the front wall.

We stood looking at one another, and I knew my day was about to take an unexpected turn.

The pigeon—as rock doves are also known—looked distressed, clearly communicating its need for help.

Its beak seemed oddly dry, and its breathing was that of someone who could use some sanctuary.

I stepped forward, plastic pedal bin liner in one hand, as the bird attempted to fly off. It managed a few exhausted flaps and disappeared with a scrabbling sound somewhere behind our plastic wheelie bins.

Depositing the plastic sack in the bin, I hobbled around looking for the bird and found it fallen into a workman’s bucket, stored under our next-door neighbour’s window sill. It was too weak to go anywhere and let me scoop it up—gently. Not even a hint of a peck. I called for Chiara to come open the door, which had slammed behind me in the through-draft.

Chiara found a box and made holes in it, and the poor knackered dove lay awkwardly in its cardboard prison.

I put some water in Santy’s old stainless steel dog bowl—the one that came with her on the happy day we brought her home from the animal shelter—and the dove taught me how to dip its head close enough to drink.

In went its head, all the way under, and when it surfaced it seemed to have trouble getting the water to go down.

Its beak and tongue were encrusted with street funk and what looked like dried blood; bits of crud washed off into the bowl.

Last night we kept the bird in its box on the desk in our bedroom, and this morning we developed our drinking technique until it began to regain strength.

But it’s clear he—or she—needs medical attention. So we messaged the London Wildlife Rescue group and they connected us with a volunteer.

Tonight I’ll drive Percy over and say a fond farewell. Needless to say, we’ve fallen in love—me and Chiara, that is—and who knows how Percy feels about it?

And here I am, feeling honoured that a rock dove trusted us with its life.

Till tomorrow

Love

Mikey