Arrival Of The Doves

by B
(Pittsburgh, PA)

Dove On Fence

Not really much of a 'story'. One day in early March as I sit and watch tv, I hear that warm-feeling sound.

I think, it can't be, they're too early, and it's too cold! But it's true.

There they sit on my fence. I feel bad because they're here before the mulberry has even sprouted, let alone producing the seeds these birds enjoy so much.

So today I did a search for dove food and found this website. Now I just have to locate some.

They are so mellow, it's a pleasure just to look at them. They pick each other's chest and head, and each one seems to watch over the other's shoulder.

Small problem, until they started coming here, the top of the fence was the cat's perch! Hmmm.
Well two years ago Ms. K. injured one dove. There was no blood or wound, but he wasn't flying out of the yard. Oh, Ms. K. caught Hell. Last summer, she obeyed the command to 'never touch the doves'.

What helped is a simple check of the alleyway, it"s where they're feeding, the cat stays inside.

She is 15 years now, but still quite spry. I noticed her staring out the window. as she hasn't done that for most of the winter.

You guessed it, the doves were sitting on 'her' fence. Reinforcing the command of not hurting 'our' doves, we watched them together and i pointed out that they clean themselves just like she does, and that they are pretty just like she is.

In truth, today I have more fear of harm coming to my cat, than to the doves, so this summer she will be severely limited to access outside the yard. Safer for all concerned.

Now I just wonder if we have two pair or just one.