A day of mourning at the farm. Three weeks ago, some animal managed to get into the dove house and broke the neck of one of the little doves, Snow White. We were all so upset. My PDP students came out for a day at the farm and they picked up the whole dove house and moved it to a safer location and added even more netting and chicken wire. We were feeling safe. Jenne, our new renter, and I went out to where we had purchased snow white and Prince Charming and choose a beautiful white dove for him. But Prince Charming did not fly up on the perch next to her. He stayed on the ground and sat under the heat lamp. He ate some seeds and drank a little. the new dove mostly stayed high on the perches. I was wondering if perhaps the new dove was not a female. All day yesterday, Prince Charming did not move from his spot. He did not eat or drink. Twilight had come to see why I was fussing in the dove house and breathed softly on Prince Charming whom I was holding in my hand. that sensitive horse knew before I did that the dove was dying. Twilight just stood still breathing softly on the dove. We stood like that for about five minutes, then Twilight put her head down as if in mourning and in my heart I knew that Prince Charming was not going to live. I brought him into the house and tried to give him some honey. I held him and stroked him and for a moment he responded. His little heart was beating so faintly. And then he just closed his eyes and died. I had heard that doves can die of a broken heart when their mates pass away. They do mate for life and he just didnt want to go on without her. The awful mystery of love and the terrible responsibility of caring for another living creature is heavy on my heart today. I know so little about the care of doves or of any of my animals and birds, really. How does one help any living being through a broken heart? Now I am wondering if I had spent more time with him, holding him and loving him each day, might he have gotten over his sorrow and become interested in the other dove. I am feeling so badly for that poor sad little bird and know I should have spent more time with him, just being there more, holding him more, letting him know he was loved and that I understood his sorrow. I would talk to him and kept trying to make him more comfortable with soft hay and treats and heat lamps and other doves. But I should have held him close to my heart. I am reminded of the touching story of a baby whale who was beached and dying near an Indian village. The people of the village had a taboo around helping or touching the whale. A young woman wanted to help the whale. But her people forbad it. So she sat by the whale and sang to it until it died. I had a bit of a taboo about holding the dove. Its heart beat so fast and I feared it was frightened. I thought it better to leave it relax and heal itself. I fear I was wrong. I decided to hold it and comfort it too late. The sweet little bird has taught me a hard lesson. All creatures can gain comfort from all other creatures. You hear about cross species friendships that are amazing. Lions protecting and loving monkeys. Elephants and dogs. Parrots and Dogs. All this worry and taboo about separation and difference. Such nonsense. It wont ever happen again. When my heart is full of love, I wont be afraid, I wont doubt my ability to be with the other. I will be there in mind, heart and body. Healing touch, I had it to give, and I didnt. I hope, dear friends, you will learn from my mistake. Reach out and touch the beings who need your love, dont be afraid that they might not welcome it. Try anyway, and see what happens. At least you give them the option of saying no. I think Prince Charming would have said yes.
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 15:39:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015