The weekend went pretty quick here, but today is busy. Today is Dennis’ surgery in Lawrence. He has to be there by 12:45, for surgery at 1:45. I think they are planning on doing general anesthesia, but I heard from a couple doctors that he should ask for a block and then he can skip the recovery room. Plus, he wouldn’t have the after-effects of the general.
I’m trying to decide if I should ride over there to wait, or just drive. I rode to Lawrence 5 times last week. I’m not sure what that was all about. Riding gravel, on the River Road, is my favorite ride around here, and I’m just trying to maintain, so I got in this rut. And it is a rut. I had 400 miles for the week, but I don’t think I’m any better than I was the week before. Training when you’re struggling usually doesn’t pay dividends short term.
I found a hurt bird on the way to Lawrence yesterday. I was 10 miles from home and wasn’t sure what to do. I decided to put the bird in some bamboo, for protection, then get him when I returned. So, the next 2 1/2 hours, I was constantly concerned about the bird. I was kicking myself for not just turning around and taking the bird home. I was wondering if I was being selfish. Why couldn’t I change my life one hour, for the life of a bird?
So, I rode back and looked under the bamboo, pretty sure the bird would be gone. But he was there. But, he wasn’t alive. He died. I picked him up again. He was so pretty. So light.
He didn’t seem hurt enough to die. I apologized to him for not staying with him. For some reason, it seemed like it would have been appropriate to have been there when he died. It’s probably just the human in me thinking that.
Dying alone seems scary for some reason. I thought about that for a long time and came to the conclusion that most animals die alone. All the birds we see flying around, most just die. All wild turkeys, turtles, squirrels, etc. They are there and then they just aren’t, just like the bird.
Anyway, I felt badly I abandoned the bird when he was so injured.
Bromont was great yesterday. Great considering. He ate by noon, which is early now. Then he went on two walks, super energetic both times. Then he ate some more. But, late last night he didn’t feel so good. He wouldn’t go out on his night walk and didn’t sleep much all night. This morning he was disoriented, with his head drooping. He’s a little better now, but he doesn’t feel very good.
It is spring here in Kansas. All the Dogwood and Redbud trees are blooming. It is supposed to be in the mid 70’s this whole next week. Our garden is starting to grow. The lettuce, chard and spinach is up already.
I sure hope Bromont starts feeling better with the nice weather here.
Dennis’ arm isn’t getting any smaller. He hopes it will be deflated after the surgery today.
The small bird on the way there.
Here he is after he expired. I buried him under the bamboo.
Bromont was perky yesterday.
The early season vegetables are already up.
A tender heart is always a good thing Steve. Please don’t beat yourself up about not turning around. Most wouldn’t have done a quarter of what you did. It shows great empathy and care. Glad Bromont had a good day.
Nerve block is awesome if the surgeon approves. It means no general anesthesia-related problems, plus no need for pain pills until the block wears off, which can be as long as 18 hours.
I’m not sure that a wild creature wants us that close to them to begin with? Nothing wrong with caring for other living beings whether human or not but understand that death is as natural as life.
Looks like a Dark-Eyed Junco, lovely birds.
Don’t beat yourself up about the bird; there probably wasn’t anything you could have done, and being with a person probably would have been more stressful for it.
I hope Bromont has a better day tomorrow.
Made my eyes fill up with tears reading this. Buried my first bird when I was 5 or 6.
Buried a squirrel last summer after it been hit by a car just in front of me.
Did that car even stop? Nope, it didn’t…
Saw a dead little screech owl while riding on an over pass a few days ago. Kicking my self for not stopping and moving him to aore dignified space.
Don’t feel bad. You did give that bird some kind comfort!!
Right on Steve.
on out.
Oh man.. U are such a nice human being..
I would have done the same too..
What is the point in burying a wild bird, squirrel or any such animal for that matter? What about the insects we run over while riding? Or the gnats we swallow/inhale/choke on? How about the hungry mosquito that we swat to its death? Life is life, am I not correct? Those insects aren’t cute and cuddly looking. That’s the difference….The bird, his carcass is going to feed that bamboo and what ever living creatures come across it….The men of this nation have become such sensitive, loafer wearing pussies that I actually find it more than a little disconcerting.
The thought of dying alone scares me too. Your action showed Good Stewardship, regardless the outcome.
Damsel – I believe empathy for other living, and dead creatures, is a positive trait, not something to be ashamed of. The point of burying the bird was making my mental situation more manageable. I didn’t want “his” body to be picked on and eaten by a bunch of other animals, just like I wouldn’t like my body torn apart and spread all over the place. It is a human deal, I understand that. And I understand insects in the ground will do virtually the same thing.
I try to not go out of my way and kill other things. Driving a car obviously kills thousands of insects. And sometimes birds and other animals. Accidental death is part of life.
Death isn’t easy for humans to get a grasp on. Intellectually it is easy to accept, but emotionally, it can be very”disconcerting”.
Steve I admire your thoughtfulness but I hate the thought of dying and then my remains being burned or embalmed. I’m much rather be eaten by life to sustain more life. Some of my favorite animals are scavengers because them can find life from death. It makes the end seem more like a beginning for me.
You won’t stop for squirrels either, after they’ve taken over your attic. Empathy for animals, until they’re using my daughter’s ceiling as a toilet.
I once pulled over (off the road) ~100 yds. past a turtle that was crossing the road. He was right in the center of “my lane.” As I was walking back to move him to the side he was facing, another car moves to the center of the road to give me space and runs the turtle right over. Why would the guy knowingly run over something that looks like a rock the size of a softball? Oof. Unintended consequences.