Andrew the Dove

photos courtesy of ThomasDigitalPics.com

Andrew the Dove

April 14, 2007

A co-worker (Rikki) and I noticed a bird under a Jeep at work on April 13. The next day, I found that the Jeep was gone but the bird remained exactly where it had been.

Fearing that the little fledgling would get run over if it remained in the parking lot, I shooed it away several times. Each time it returned and each time it seemed that it found a more dangerous spot to rest than it had before.

Another co-worker (Cecilia) noticed that the bird was always finding a haven as close on the ground that it could get to a nest in a tree above. Cecilia named the bird Andrew which happens to be our son's middle name.

Fearing that Andrew could not survive on his own I took him to our Chuluota home. Lynn contacted a friend that is an expert on rehabilitating wildlife. She advised that we try to give it some hydration and contact a local wildlife rehabilitator.

The advise led us to Laurian Rauen, Founder & CEO of Wings to New Horizons Inc, a non-native lifetime bird sanctuary based in Oviedo, Florida. Laurian advised us to get finch food and baby cereal which we did immediately. At right, Lynn prepares to feed Andrew with an eye dropper.

We learned that Andrew was a dove and we found after bathing Andrew that he had a couple of injuries, but fortunately, they seemed minor.

After several feedings of baby cereal, we found that Andrew was much more energetic and lively on the following morning.

On my way home from work on Sunday, Lynn told me that Andrew was eating his finch food and downing a little water. We were both so happy that Andrew appeared to be well.

Later Sunday evening, I brought Andrew up with me in my home office. He enjoyed the warmth of the home environment and often nodded off to sleep. Andrew enjoyed finger rubs along the back of his head.

By late evening Laurian of Wings to New Horizons Inc called and said she was on her way to take Andrew to her sanctuary. I placed Andrew back into his box and we prepared him for his journey. Lynn and I grew quite attached and we wanted to keep Andrew as a part of our family. We knew that we could not tend to him properly during a typical work week and that it was best that Lauriann take him.

Lauriann said we had done the right thing to ensure Andrew's survival. She said that if he had not been hurt by vehicles in the parking lot, he would not have survived the hard rains, high winds and chilly nights that we have encountered over the last two days. By taking Andrew in, we made sure he was properly nourished, warm and safe from predators.

Lauriann said that Andrew looked healthy and she showed us how to feel the finch seed inside the birds breast.

We gave Louriann and her organization the finch food and baby cereal as well as a cash contribution.

Those wishing to make a tax deductible cash contribution to Lauriann's organization may do so by writing Wings to New Horizons, Inc., PO Box 622641, Oviedo, FL 32762-2641. To find out more, call 407-365-5715. Tell them "Andrew sent you!"

Click HERE to Print This Page

Click HERE to Wildlife Photo Menu