a dove in a hand...
The neighborhood boys showed up at my door yesterday morning with an injured dove. They witnessed a hawk snagging it, but somehow the dove got away. The boys were able to get it before the hawk had another chance. It was bleeding and injured pretty bad from the strong talons. I treated the wounds and put it in a travel cage and drove to the Wildlife Hospital. They took it back right away while I filled out the paperwork, then left.
I called this morning... it didn't make it through the night. I tried to explain to the boys yesterday that I was thrilled with their compassion, but it is the circle of life. That hawk is still hungry and now another animal will die. *sigh* Things like this just tear me up inside.
The woman at the hospital was also touched at the compassion of these boys. She said most boys are the ones hurting the animals. I told her that I got a hold of them at a young age. I remember my son coming home one day saying some of his friends would run over the wild lizards on purpose. I laid into his friends explaining that that was LIFE, and all life should be respected. Never injure or hurt something on purpose. I have drilled that into them for years.
I called this morning... it didn't make it through the night. I tried to explain to the boys yesterday that I was thrilled with their compassion, but it is the circle of life. That hawk is still hungry and now another animal will die. *sigh* Things like this just tear me up inside.
The woman at the hospital was also touched at the compassion of these boys. She said most boys are the ones hurting the animals. I told her that I got a hold of them at a young age. I remember my son coming home one day saying some of his friends would run over the wild lizards on purpose. I laid into his friends explaining that that was LIFE, and all life should be respected. Never injure or hurt something on purpose. I have drilled that into them for years.