Hi everyone,

It's been a long time since I've posted any updates about my pigeons since Eggbert died. Both birds were doing mostly fine, although Lucy has been pretty lonely since she lost her mate. I had been keeping both pigeons on their own side of the room and because they were fighting between the screen mesh and pecking at each other for months. However over the last few weeks their attitude towards each other had changed and they seemed to want to be together. So, last week I put them together and to my surprise, they've bonded again. This is the good news and it's nice to see them cuddling with each other. I feel so sorry for the both of them.

The bad news is that Lucy seems to be in respiratory distress and is now starting to exhibit similar symptoms to what Henny had before her long, drawn out demise.

I've contacted Pidgey about the doxycycline I have to use, but it expired in 2008. I am just hoping it's still safe and effective to use. They are in a coated pill form and I think they may still be ok to use. Otherwise, I'll have to get to an aquarium store soon to buy some tetracycline. I'm very worried about her and I just want to get her on something soon.

I'm open to any and all comments about the doxy and if you think it's still safe to use.

I don't know if this will help you but years ago Dr. Zollar gave free consulatations for the first time but I notice now he charges 25 dollars--while anyway I had a pigeon with breathing problems--respiratory--and he told me to get Doxycycline 20% (Foys) and mix it with Tylan for respiratory and remove all grit as well. He was very specfic about it being 20% Doxyclcline. Don't know if this will -amount to a "hill of beans" (old saying) but I thought I would contribute it anyway. Dr. Zollars Phone number is: 815-246-9545 and he is a DVM and has tri county vet services. Earlville, Illinois 60518..., Now I am smiling because he is very well known by the racing community and sometimes they tease one another by saying---call Dr Zollar--and then they all laugh--now I don't know if that is good or bad Brad but I just thought I would share that with you...This phone number is from 2 years ago and maybe you can talk yourself into a free consulation by using an old foys catalog book that you found and at that time it said the first consulation was free..---thats when I called and I believe it was in early 2008 catalogue in July and he gave one consulation on the phone that was free--just a thought--and it helped my pigeon and she got well. Just sharing thoughts--sorry about your pigeon and I hope she improves....

Hi Brad, sorry to hear the bad news... regarding the meds if in pill form they loose their strength overtime, but the meds should still be okay... just the strength might not be as effective... there has been a lot of controversey over meds in pill form....sure hope all goes well...

Lucy died this morning about 10 minutes ago. I'm absolutely devastated She was my lovely hand raised pigeon and just turned 7. This morning when I got home she was fine more or less and even snuggling and cooing with Ricki. I could tell she was still sick though because when she got up to walk she was shaky on her feet and breathing a bit heavy. I gave her the doxy pills and within 15 minutes she vomitted up one of the pills, went into a gasping spell and passed away within moments in front of my eyes. I don't understand it but it seems like the act of giving the pills killed her, I killed her. I had only noticed her symptoms for 2 days before yesterday and wasn't quite sure what was going on. Then as it got worse I recognized the symptoms but it was obviously too late.

This one really hurts bad and I just feel completely gutted. Ricki watched the whole thing as well and I can tell she's very upset and confused. She even tried to preen Lucy's feathers after she died as if trying to waker her up and she's still sitting by the body.

Now I've only got one lame pigeon left and I just feel like crawling under a rock and never coming out. I don't think I ever want anymore pigeons ever again and it's just awful now that Ricki is completely alone. I don't know what I'm going to do now.

Oh my goodness Brad I am so sorry. No you did not hurt her with the pill for she would have died anyway and don't feel bad about that and it is hard to see a pigeon die right in front of yourself for I have experience this as well..I am so sorry. There are lots and lots of pigeons out there right now Brad that need a helping hand and you gave your pigeon a wonderful home for seven years but now it's time for her to fly to the real home and may Lucy rest in peace---your posting has touched my heart and I am so very very sorry...I love you our forum friend and just plug through this one and realize she is at peace and your actually crying for yourself for she is in absolute peace now and I know you are missing her so much--these are the tough moments of life. One thing about all of this is the inspiration that these birds give to us to do different things with life. The memories hang on and our everyday activities become part of our life that enables us to give graciousness back to the world. It's a even game that goes for each of the sides--one for you--and one for your pigeon---it balances out and goes both ways with its love interests... you are not alone dear forum friend and we are all here to just hold your loving hand...

Geez that's really tough on you Brad although there is nothing I can think of that you could have done differently or sooner that may have made a difference.
I am not about to lecture you but you cannot let tragedies or mis-steps cause you to accept blame for things beyond your control. That famous phrase " Shit Happens" was coined for circumstances just like this.
I am a fatalist and believe that things happen in our lives that cause us to re-assess and move forward to newer places or people or animals. So if I were in your shoes, I would get through this "shitty" period in your life and start looking up the road for that new window that will open. Who knows, perhaps there are other pigeons that need you ? .... keep your eyes open.

A very tough experience. Take heart in the fact that you provided a wonderful existence for a long time. She lived well

Hugh

sorry to hear the sad news . RIP lucy.

Brad words cannot express how very sorry I am for you, I know how much you loved your pigeons.
Please remember how good pigeons are at hiding an illness until the last moment and once they start showing symptons its often too late to help.
I know there are no words to make you feel better, just know you did everything you could.
Our prayers are with you.

You might want to think about starting Ricki on a course of meds since your other two passed away from the same illness.

Oh Brad, this is just devastating news and I am so so sorry to hear of Lucy's sudden passing. I know how very special she was to you and I feel just awful for you and Ricki.

Please don't blame yourself about this. She was obviously very ill and there was very likely nothing you could have done anyway to prevent her untimely death. Respiratory illness as you well know is one of things that can take them very quickly and unexpectedly. It is possible that she may have had something else going on that contributed to this state also. I have been in a similar situation myself with a much loved pet bird of 12 years in respiratory distress and I blamed myself for trying to help which ultimately ended up in the same awful outcome in front of my eyes. It is a very difficult thing to move on from but you have to realise that it is not your fault.

Thinking of you very much at this sad time and sending huge comforting hugs. You know where I am if you need to talk.

Take care, hugs

Brad I'm so sorry, that's awful news. Please don't blame yourself for trying to help.

I'm so sorry .. this is all so shocking

Even though they were not with me, I've always felt like they were my babies It's really difficult hearing that.

Brad.......I am so very, very sorry to hear of the loss of Lucy. I know how much you loved her and how awful you must be feeling. Please don't blame yourself, giving her the meds did not cause her death. Respiratory distress can take them in an instant at any time. I'm happy to hear that Lucy and Riki became close in her final days. I'm sure Riki feels devastated as well. Now Riki is all alone......You will need to give him plenty of extra special attention.

I know there is nothing anyone can say to take away your sadness, but know that we all share in your sadness at the loss of a very special little bird.

FLY FREE AND HIGH PRECIOUS LUCY


Louise

Oh Brad, I'm so shocked and so sorry

I know you feel so terrible right now and nothing we say is going to help with that, but I still want you to know that there I don't think there are any pigeons ~anywhere~ that could have had better lives than the ones that Henny, Eggbert, Lucy and Ricky have/have had with you. They lived in a beautiful place with the best of care with an owner who loved and cared for them so much.

I know it's so hard, but please just hang in there........so sorry for you.

Hugs and more hugs.....
Linda

Thanks everyone for your kind words of support and sympathy, your words really mean a lot to me.

I just can't believe this has happened and that she's dead. I feel empty and numb inside but I can't get the awful images out of my mind of her gasping her last breaths. It was the situation with Henny all over again but this time, it was because of actions by myself, rather than my vets. It's a very traumatic and heart wrenching thing to see your beloved pet struggling in distress and dying before your very eyes. This is the 3rd time I've watched one of my pet pigeons die before my eyes and it's gut wrenching & emotionally scarring. Many of you might not know or remember but Foghorn died from a worm infection in front of me too nearly a decade ago. At least with Eggbert, his death happened when I wasn't around and it was more easy to accept and because he probably died of more natural causes.

Since getting involved with these runt pigeons back in 2000, I've really had nothing but heartache, horrible situations, bad luck or whatever. I truly believe now that either the breed itself is severely flawed genetically, and/or the breeder I got my original pigeons from just had horrible breeding and health care practices. In fact I know this man didn't keep his pigeons looked after properly, but that is all in hindsight and ancient history now.

One of the best things that came from my pigeon experience this last decade was when Lucy and Ricki were born. It was something my original pair of birds could never seem to do, raise a set of babies themselves. So when Bella graciously offered to let her birds hatch the eggs I was so grateful and excited. I transported the nearly ready to hatch eggs to her house in Toronto and her pigeons hatched them and fed them for the first few days. Then, Bella took over the hand feeding herself and raised the chicks herself until they were nearly 2 months old. This is when I took them home. They were so sweet and tame and really true pets in the sense. Unless you've had a hand raised bird yourself, you wouldn't understand how different their personalities are. Over the years, they lost some of that tameness, but it was always under the surface and they completely trusted me.

Therefore, because of the unique situation and because I wanted a pair of pigeons from my original pair, these two are and were very, very special to me. Lucy was a gorgeous pigeon too, just beautiful.

Now, I'm left with one lonely, confused and somewhat lame pigeon. I'm not only grieving for the loss of Lucy, but I'm very sad that Ricki is completely alone now. Her and Lucy were just becoming bonded again as well. Before this she was able to watch and hear her little family and now there will be nothing but silence in her room.

Because of my work hours, I'm simply unable to spend enough time with Ricki that I feel she would need to have any sort of contented life. I have no doubt she could adapt to having a human for a companion, but I'm not able to be that for her. This is why I've always had the little flock together and so they would feel a sense of community at least.

There isn't going to be anymore pigeons brought into my life, not for a long time if ever again. It's just been too hard on me and looking back at all that I've experienced & lost over a relatively short period of time. My pigeon keeping experience this second time around in life has basically ended everything and with Lucy's death.

Thank you again everyone for your kind words and messages of support.

I can totally understand that at this time in your life and you and your "Ricki" can now have more time together with the attention going to one to one and this will be very special--your possibly in for a treat here...So sorry Brad and thank you for the sincere and loving post....

Brad............Again, I know that nothing anyone can say will ease your pain at this point. You have had serveral devastating experiences with your beloved birds. However, never say never! Once a pigeon lover and person......always a pigeon lover and person. It's much too difficult for you now to think of the future with pigeons......you are in too much pain. I felt the same way years ago when a little dog I had for 21 years passed. I swore....never again....no more dogs...it was like loosing a child.....the heartbreak was overwhelming. As time passed I realized how empty my life was without a dog as a companion. Today, years later I have three rescue dogs that I wouldn't part with for the world. You need time to grieve and heal from your loss. Ricki will bring your comfort in all your sadness. Stay close to Ricki.....she needs you.....you need her right now.

Hugs to you, dear friend.


Louise

So sorry for your loss....prayers to you!