June 23, 2007
     Crisp, cool, remarkably beautiful day. Well, Dr. Jeff Meyer of the Granville Small Animal Hospital, my vet and one of the nice people and great vets of the earth, put a splint on Jack the Robin’s broken wing. Jeff says the wing break was serious, and from the puncture wounds, probably caused by a cat. The wound is in a bad spot, a wing joint, he says, and it is doubtful Jack will ever fly again. If he survives the risk of infection, he can live, but only in a cage and with proper care. Annie the Bedlam Farm Goddess, who found Jack and who brought him to Jeff, says “I’ve got the cage already. He can walk around with me in the yard. And I’ve got plenty of worms.” Annie found Jack when he was sick, and nursed him back to health, and he did stroll around with her in her yard. This would not happen with me, but is more or less par for the course with Annie. I can testify that animals know she is on their side.
 Jeff says robins can do well in domestic life, and if you are a bird or any animal, you cannot do better than to fall into Annie’s care. Jack will need to remain in his splint and bandages for at least two weeks.

     Annie and I met at the Granville Vet this morning and she gave Jack some worms. Jack seemed delighted to see Annie, though he was still groggy with his medications. He opened his eyes, chirped and wolfed down a few worms. Annie likes Jack better than she likes some humans, especially many men.
  “He looks kind of stupid,” I said jokingly, and Annie gave me a look that would wither cables. I was only kidding. Jack is a pretty lucky bird, but also pretty smart. He was cooing at Annie like a puppy, perhaps looking ahead to his roomy cat-protected cage in her warm kitchen, and dreaming of years of worms laid at his feet,  so this is a story with a happy ending, I think, if he makes it through the next few days. Jeff says he might be able to go home Monday.
  I don’t really know if it’s appropriate to rescue every bird when there are so many dogs, other animals and people in distress. But looking at Annie and Jack, I have to say it felt pretty good. Seems like a small victory for love. I will post updates.