Never under-estimate the power of love.
For one 14-year-old cockatiel named Baby, it was a long journey home, but home was where he wanted to be.
It all started normally in the Climenhage family on March 8; young Lachlan was getting ready for hockey at the arena at about 9:30 a.m. and Baby, whose large cage usually has it’s door open, was climbing around the outside of the cage.
“We knew he needed his wings clipped but we hadn’t gotten around to it yet,” dad James said.
“My son was moving his gear to the now open front door, Baby got spooked and flew through the front door. We lost sight of him as he disappeared over the neighbours roof with two crows in hot pursuit.”
It was a cold morning. James walked up and down McLean Street about five times, but couldn’t find their beloved family pet.
“I finally gave up at about 5 p.m.,” James reported.
That night the temperature dipped below freezing and the family fear the worst. Assuming Baby had survived the cold morning and hadn’t been eaten or killed, nothing short of a miracle was going to save him.
“I awoke Saturday morning to frost on the ground and a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that Baby was gone,” he said.
“We all felt awful.”
That feeling was short-lived however. Lacklan’s Aunt Maria called that morning to say “Anyone missing a cockatiel?” was posted on Crooked Leg Ranch’s Facebook page.
James raced to the computer and contacted Fauna Eyford from the non-profit animal rescue association.
Baby was safe and sound in his cage (with the door closed) by Saturday night.
According to Fauna, Baby had made his way to the field at Quesnel junior secondary and about 4:30 p.m. was spotted by one of the teachers. The teacher noticed a number of crows dive-bombing something on the field. When they went to investigate, they found a cockatiel sitting in the snow. When they called the SPCA, who refused to take it, the teacher called the bylaw office and Willow Eyford rescued the cockatiel and called her sister to say she was dropping off a bird.
“I was really holding out for a happy ending, but I finally had to assume the worst. I guess sometimes miracles do happen,” James said.
After returning home, the family was concerned Baby might develop pneumonia after prolonged exposure to the elements, but Baby is right as rain and back to his usual antics.
“He appears to be no worse for wear,” James happily reported.
“We very much appreciate the efforts of Crooked Leg Ranch. It’s not clear what would have happened to Baby had they not been in operation.
“Even if he did survive, it’s likely we never would have seen him again.”