By Elizabeth Young | Founder, executive Director
What Wisdom Can You Find that is Greater Than Kindness?
-Jean Jacques Rousseau
Last November, Palomacy was asked to take in a then 20 year old pigeon. He was the only one left of his original flock of 60. He was part of a 4H pigeon racing project started in 1993. In the beginning, the family flew the pigeons but seeing them injured and killed by hawks was too upsetting so they stopped. Since then, all of the kids grew up and lost interest. Pigeons can live for more than 20 years but alone in a coop is no life for a pigeon. He'd never been named until Jill picked him up. He'd been #2931, hatched in 2000. He was thin, arthritic and had a badly overgrown, crossed beak which Jill immediately corrected (not even waiting until she got home). She named him Wisdom and settled him into supportive, VIP care with a special open-door suite, food and water included for easy snacking, soft bedding, access to a heating pad, and the company of gentle friends. We intend to ensure that the rest of his life is spent knowing that he is cherished and safe.
On August 10th, I brought Wisdom home to live with me. He's getting frailer, his legs are weaker. He needs extra support and attention. He's sitting beside me as I type this. Wisdom floats for 20 minutes each morning in a luke warm sink full of epsom salt water (hydrotherapy to ease his legs). He naps in the sun a lot, hangs out watching the other birds, let's me snuggle him a little. I feel him slowing down even more than he was and I know that I won't have the privilege of his presence forever.
Wisdom is just one bird. Last year, Palomacy rescued nearly 400, placing 257 with adopters, an increase of 58% over 2019. We're helping even more birds this year and assisting thousands all over the country through our Palomacy Help Group and website. Every single one of these birds is an individual. Each one wants to live, to be safe, to love and be loved.
Together we are saving birds' lives, one by one.
We couldn't have saved Wisdom without you. Your support makes all of this possible.
Today is the start of GlobalGiving's autumn Little by Little Fundraising campaign. Every donor's (single) gift up to $50 will earn a bonus match of 50% this week. (New monthly match donors earn double bonus!) We need your help. Please donate today and share with your friends.
A loving heart is the truest wisdom.
-Charles Dickens
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