Failure


Yesterday I tried to help a bird.  I caught glimpses of it in the walled area several tmes while I was working outside.   Finally I realized it was injured--feathers awry on the top of its little head.  Cat or hawk attack?  What to do?  I didn't know.  
'Twilight Zone':
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I looked at songbird rescue sites.  Put it in a small box.  I got it into a small box without examining it--I didn't want to stress it any more than necessary.  Keep it warm, dark, quiet.  A dribble of water on the beak to prevent dehydration.  I called a rescue group;  the woman was curt, testy, cold--call me in the morning if it is still alive and you can bring it over.  I'm sure they get all kinds of nutjobs calling, so I didn't take it personally. 
Clematis 'Perle d'Azur'
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In the morning the bird wasn't alive.  I was able to look it over--the damage to the head was minimal--but one of its legs was completely gone. 
Trachelium caeruleum
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So, all I did was to give it a warm, dark, quiet place to die.  I felt like I had to try to help, but perhaps I did the wrong thing.  I read a comment recently from a man who said something like, "If it's the right thing to do, it's the right thing to do, even if you know you'll likely fail."  Helping felt like the right thing to do.
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I found that thought comforting.
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A sad little failure, surrounded by a delirium of flowers.  
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Comments

  1. Heavy hearted am I reading this post, so sorry. We witnessed a crow that had been hit my a car struggling to live. The world (at least our part of it) needs no more crows but how can you not help an injured living thing? We got it to the Audubon society but they couldn't save it. Our sunny Saturday took a sad turn.

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    1. It knocks us back. For once the garden was not much comfort. Better tomorrow.

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  2. In your own words, you gave it "a warm, dark, quiet place to die." You did the right, humane thing. Thank you.

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  3. It was the right thing to do. The little guy died in the presence of someone who cared about his existence.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Renee. Such a beautiful bird, I couldn't not care.

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  4. I am so sorry for the little bird, but these things happen and we try the best. The picture of the blue Trachelium is stunning and the lonely feather.....

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  5. If you have eased the pain of a life that is ending, or even just attempted to, I would call that "success." As a doctor, I've been there. Hugs.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kindness, and thank you for your work as a doctor.

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  6. We can't save every injured animal but offering what assistance we can is still meaningful. You did the bird no harm and offered him respite from further predatory attacks. It seems nothing else was possible.

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  7. This sad story has played out here too multiple times. Offering shelter, a quiet place to draw the last breath, perhaps these are human concerns we're projecting, but I still say you did good.

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