Guest post by Courtney Miller

 

 

In late September 2024, during a rare extreme heat wave in Mill Valley, my friend called me up to tell me her next door neighbor told her there had been a white bird in the middle of their street for 2 days. It was 113 degrees outside, the bird was not flying, she was pecking at the hot asphalt, had no food or water, and they thought it was a miracle that she hadn’t been run over by a car. They were able to catch the bird and bring her inside the cool house, put her temporarily in a dog crate with soft towels for her hot feet, and give her water and seeds.

She called me because she knew of my great love for birds and animal rescue. I drove to her house to get the bird and brought her to my house. She was so tame, sweet, friendly, trusting. I imagined I would have her for a day or two until she was claimed. I figured a bird this sweet and people friendly must belong to someone! No one responded to postings of this ‘found’ bird, so I began to look for a special dove/pigeon rescue who could take her to give her a safe home and companionship with other birds. My search led me to discover Palomacy! I was sad to learn that every rescue within 100 miles of Mill Valley was full and could not accept another bird. My only option for her seemed to be the Humane Society, where I feared she would be kept in a cage alone, in a room with no windows, and would have very slim chances of being adopted. So, I decided this precious little dove would be mine, and she very quickly became my beloved Millie.

 

 

She made herself right at home, she loved to explore on foot and flying all around. She loved to snuggle with me, to be held and pet, to sit with me on my chest or shoulder, and she started cooing frequently. She brought me so much joy and my heart swelled with love for this precious little girl.

 

 

Millie is such a girly girl- she loves staring at her gorgeous self in mirrors, playing with purses, jewelry, shoes, and perfume bottles! She also LOVES landing on heads! She is such a funny, curious, playful, loving girl.

When my fiancé and I got married 11 months later, and I moved from my condo to our lovely home, we decided that once we were settled, we would seek a mate for Millie. I reached out to the incredible people at Palomacy, and they brought us a handsome and adorable bachelor for Millie to meet.

 

 

 

This confident boy went right to pursuing Millie, he followed her around cooing and bowing/dancing for her. It took about four weeks for Millie to ‘accept’ him, but his perseverance paid off. The two of them are now happy to play and explore together, fly around the house, they eat together, preen each other, and love to sleep snuggled close together. Once we knew they were bonded, we got the honor of adopting Henry. Sean and I are so delighted that our Millie got her Prince Charming, Henry won over his beautiful wife, and we have become a family of four with our two bird children. We are so grateful for the love and joy being bird parents brings us. Thank you to Palomacy for being a part of Millie and Henry’s happily ever after! ❤️