We were away for a few days last week, and our neighbor and her daughters took care of our pet finches for us.
On the last day of our trip, our neighbor texted me to say that she thought there might be something wrong with the leg of one of the finches, Ron. There was nothing we could do from afar, but when we got home, I checked him. He seemed to be favoring it, but I couldn’t figure out why.
It seemed to be bothering him more the next day, so I called our vet and got the first appointment they had. I loaded the cage with Ron and Bart into the car and headed to the vet. I figured something was stuck in the band he’s had around his leg since he was a baby—before we ever met him. It seemed like it would be an easy fix.
But it wasn’t. The vet told us one of Ron’s toes had gotten caught in the leg band. The vet would have to amputate his foot—that day.
I felt terrible. I said goodbye to Ron and Bart and headed to the car to call my husband and text a few friends and family members to pray.
Surgery on this tiny bird seemed risky, and I worried he wouldn’t pull through. I hadn’t thought it could be anything that serious, so I hadn’t suggested that the boys wish Ron well that morning. What if he didn’t make it home? If he did make it, what would the adjustment be like for him?
Ron came through just fine, and I went to retrieve him that evening. We went through a traumatic event trying to catch him in the cage to give him his medicine before I finally realized it was impossible. We would have to let go and pray that he would heal.
So far, three days after surgery, Ron seems to be doing fine. He’s still in the cage with Bart (who happens to be his son, though neither of them seems to recall that they are anything but friends).
Watching Ron and Bart interact has helped me feel better about Ron’s progress. For the first couple of days, Bart gave Ron a wide berth and didn’t make much noise. Now Bart is singing more and even urging Ron to play. I’m hoping Bart can sense that Ron is getting better. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part, but it works for me.
Meanwhile, Ron has been eating well and flying around the cage. He has some adjusting to do as he figures out life without a foot, but I have a feeling he’s going to adapt just fine, just as the vet said he would.
Every morning when I check the cages, I am relieved to see Ron is still with us, ready for his breakfast, looking forward to the day. He seems a little lower energy but generally content. I hope he pulls through and that he’s not in pain.
We’ve done what we can do for him, and we are asking God to do the rest.
Every night I bless the birds with holy water, and our St. Francis of Assisi statue is hovering nearby.
St. Francis, please pray for Ron and all the creatures who need God’s special healing care today. Amen.
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