5/10/25

 I heard Penny in the other room making strange whining noises this morning. This is not normal for her. She came to me with her whole body trembling and was visibly upset about something. We have taught Penny to “show me” which means we will get up and follow her so she can show us if she needs more water, she needs to go out, her toy is stuck or her favorite thing to show…..she wants more food.

Penny led me to the fireplace. Perplexed, I needed to think like a dog. If she were cold, she would have cuddled up under a blanket.

She sat there whining at me distressed and shaking like a leaf. “What’s a matter Penny?” She jumped on the fire place door. I opened the fireplace to see if maybe there was a bird or something she heard. Nothing!

I moved the damper on the fireplace and then I heard a bird fluttering about in the chimney. I told her she was a “good girl” for letting me know. She does try to always protect us. She has protected us from people riding their bikes down the road, frogs in the pond minding their own business, and from the almost near death experience of leaves blowing around in the fall.

How do I get this bird out? It was clear it was VERY upsetting to Penny. My plan was to give it 10 minutes and hoped the problem would solve itself. We spent 10 minutes of Penny having earthquake tremors and whining. 

I then tried moving the damper. Viola! The bird had made its escape and there were no further actions needed. Except Penny would not stop patrolling the fireplace.

About 20 minutes went by and I heard Penny barking. Ut oh, the bird had fallen into the fireplace and was no longer in the chimney. I locked all the dogs up and closed the doors. I didn’t want this bird flying all around my house and pooping on Ethan’s toothbrush.

I was able to grab hold of the bird. It looked like a starling. So pretty,with an impressive beak. It never once tried to peck me. It was open mouth breathing from the stress. I gently held the bird and spoke softly and felt the bird relax in my hand and I gently stroked its head. Maybe we could be cuddle buddies? Probably not, it’s a wild bird. I then though about that I was likely going to get the bird flu and topical parasites.

 I didn’t want the bird stress flying into a tree or something. So maybe the parasites are worth it to save a life? Once it settled and had an appropriate respiration rate, I brought it outside and wished the bird good luck and watched it fly away. That poor thing had quite a stressful morning.

Off to wash my arms and hands in hot soapy water. I don’t bird lice.

Now I have to tell Paul that Penny had a moment of smartness, which doesn’t make my case for laughing at the dumb things she does.

I spent the morning itching just thinking about bird lice. I have had bird lice on me before from working with rehab birds. Ick! While I didn’t actually see lice, why was my eyebrow itchy? Then my knee? 

I was able to prepare my dishes for tomorrow’s dinner. I am hosting and preparing  for tomorrow. I will need some