Sunday Mourning

Last Sunday morning, my girlfriend and I were running a little late for church. She was inside finishing all the things girls do to get ready and I was outside hastily trying to motivate Dexter (our dog) to use the bathroom. Dexter, being a normal dog, was in no rush whatsoever. Instead, he was sniffing around and taking in the slight crispness of the air that has started to appear in the early hours of late. As he slowly finished his duties, a flutter caught my eye next to a tree near our home. There, on the ground, lay a bird engaged in a peaceful struggle to survive. The strike of a vehicle had rendered the legs useless and had severely injured it's back. My head was reminding me how late we truly were at this point. My heart was telling me of the dire straits this bird was in and that I was the only thing that might enable it to fulfill its existence in this world.

I took Dexter in and told Whitney of the goings-on under the tree. She was aware of our impending tardiness, but once she saw the bird she knew we couldn't leave it. We went in and googled "what to do for a bird that can't fly." The results suggested we contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center. We found one near our home, gently boxed up the bird, and headed to the Piedmont Wildlife Center. This free clinic - run by two full-time wildlife specialists and scores of volunteers - allows you to bring in any native, wild animal that is in need of medical attention for treatment and rehabilitation. Upon arrival, the bird was taken into the the care of veterinarians and I was given a card that gave me the species of the bird and it's case number so I could check on it's progress - Mourning Dove #07-2000.

I was told two days later that the bird suffered from permanent spinal cord damage and would never be able to use its legs again. It was humanely euthanized.

Sometimes in our dominion over creatures big and small, we forget that a life is a life - that suffering and hurt is not limited to the human heart. I am sure the Mourning Dove is in a better place, I just know it. I am grateful to the staff at the Piedmont Wildlife Center for the selfless work they do. If you come across an injured animal, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation specialist to see if there is anything you can do to help.