Guest Post by Michelle Norman & Heather Hohlowski
In early July, the Palomacy Phone Team answered a call from a person who noticed a domestic pigeon with a serious chest wound. We asked them to catch her, which they did, and then asked if they could take her to Medical Center for Birds, in Oakley, California. And they did that too – and stayed throughout the appointment. She was given the name Sassafras and stayed at MCFB for a couple of days before going to her foster home with Michelle, a longtime Palomacy volunteer.
Sassafrass asking for help
Sassafras is a young pigeon racing survivor – only six months old when rescued. She likely got lost and attacked on her first race, a sadly common occurrence. It was clear that Sassafras had been caught by a hawk who had begun to eat her alive. She was torn open from the start of her throat almost to the end of her keel and yet, amazingly, was still able to get away and then, even more amazingly, live long enough to be rescued alive.
Sassafras had significant chest injuries
After three days of in-hospital wound treatment, she arrived to foster care still traumatized from her ordeal – and she did NOT want to be picked up. She would flail around, clawing at Michelle. As she adjusted to her new surroundings, Michelle began wrapping her in a soft blanket and just sitting and snuggling with her: “I would adjust the blanket for her comfort and I preened her head. I would do this and she would begin to calm down. Then I added foot massages to our routine!”
Sassafras gets cozy under a blanket
After four weeks of care and compassion, Sassafras began to trust her foster mom: “It wasn’t long before she was napping on my lap. She watched the routine of my other birds and fosters and grew comfortable in her new surroundings. She had her first outdoor time and returned to her crate – her safe place – all on her own. Her chest wound is just about healed and she has two male suitors on either side of her wanting to make her their wife. A beautiful ending to a tragic start. I decided to add Starlene to her name since she is a darling pigeon.”
Sassafras Starlene thanks you!