Arty, regardless of what you decide to do, never doubt for one minute that you have "earned your wings".

Way back (what seems a long time ago now) near the start of Parrot Chatter, we (you, me, and others) talked about the concept of pets. I haven't gone back to look, but I think I remember talking about hubris, and how we are always vulnerable to falling into the trap of thinking that we know what is best. The fact is, we can never know. We hope to do right, and sometimes it turns out wrong. Was it because of something we did? Was it just the result of a universe governed by chaos and random chance? Who among us can possibly have the knowledge to say?

I can't speak to your health, or financial ability to carry on. Those are factors that only you can evaluate. I don't begrudge you the right to self question, either. When we stop doing that, we invariably go horribly wrong. Just don't try to put more responsibility on yourself than what you deserve. In the final analysis, we're probably not that important in the grand scheme of things, if there is such a thing as a grand scheme.

Something else I remember mentioning in that thread back then, is my belief that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is in vain. Does it matter to whatever force rules the universe, whether we mourn for the fallen sparrow, or feed the dove that visits our winter lawn? Probably not. But it means a great deal to our struggle to grow in our humanity, and to come to terms with our relationship with all things. Whether in the individual sense, or as a species, this is all we can do. We can't control the universe, and make everything come out right. We can only do what little we can. We can rescue the fallen sparrow, rehabilitate her, release her, only to have her snatched from life the next day by a predator, or run afoul of a car. Does that make the act less worthy? No, it simply makes it out of our control. Through your work, Arty, you have touched countless lives. Those little creatures you have tried to help, of course, but also those who know you. Have you made mistakes along the way? Sure you have. I've sure made my share, and I'm sure I'll continue to screw things up as long as I'm alive. Just don't think that what you perceive to be your mistakes will be your legacy. Your legacy will be your kindness, caring, devotion, and love.

Arty were it not for you I would not have my beloved poopy head Mai Tai! I cannot imagine him not being here and being a part of our lives now.... he is the ultimate family bird.

I never would have known that without ya!

There are so many folks on here now that had no clue about doves and pigeons before you came along.....

I have so much to say to you and no time right now, I promise to finish this tonight...... you cannot give up on life as it sounds you are.

arty if it were not for you I would not know anything about doves and pigeons.... I have learnt so much from here and you and your doves pigeons as well as info from other people..... I cant help as much as I would like as I live so far away... but I would like to...


i know where you wear your heart....

and things happen which we have no control... and you are not to blame. so I woul d step back catch a few fresh thoughts we are here for you when you are ready..... sometimes people get into overdrive. when involved in such a very tough decision making job and that some do no t feel the same way we all do....... dont go tooo far away please.........
awaiting your return..... .from a newby here

Arty, who will hear and answer their calls for help if you don't.... they need you, the birds and the other people that care need you. Yes there is enormous pain that results from it sometimes but there is also incredible joy. The intense feelings only make your love for them that much more known. Please don't stop the rescues, please. You have an intense love for them and inspire so many, please remember that always.... no one is perfect and people make mistakes, it's what makes us human. Think of how many you've saved, how many are grateful, and how many lives of both animals and people you've touched. No one can tell you what to do, only you can decide that. I realize that you may have financial difficulty and health issues but please don't forget WHO YOU ARE...... you are very, very special and so many lives have been saved because of you. You show true love, devotion, compassion and you should be incredibly proud of who you are and what you have done. I think VERY highly of you and always will regardless of what you decide......... best wishes my friend, please return soon as you are missed dearly.

Arty,

While I can agree with you on not wanting to add to the bird population, I am not sure how I see that rescue is messing with mother nature. Humans have destroyed so much for animals, I honestly think that rescuing a few of them is the least we could do to make up for it. So many rescues are the result of human interference to begin with.

I can only imagine what a toll it must take on you emotionally and physically. But as others have said, you can't save them all. You do a lot more than most people do and I think that is very admirable. I can't tell you what to do or how to live your life, but from my point of view, you've done nothing but good.

Take care,

Arty my dear sweet man...... you and I have talked about allowing your rescues to breed at length and I can see your dilema in that..... but as I said before, without those few babies that you have allowed to "slip" through the cracks and come to be owned by myself and others, there would be so many folks who didnt know anything about them and maybe wouldnt have been able to spread the word and share as we can now.

Now this part is said in love and NOTHING else.....

your pride.... as much as we love you, your pride gets in the way... I say this ONLY in terms of financially. You have been offered money for various things and under no circumstances will you accept it.

There are so many of us who would love to donate to you from time to time to help in your endeavors of rescue and the plight of the pigeons and doves, but your pride wont allow you to accept it.

You love your work you do in rescue and we all love you for it, however, if you truely feel in your heart that it is no longer your calling to continue to do so then we will respect that choice.....

if you choose to no longer do it because of financial restrictions, well we can help you out on that...

your health is first and foremost the imortant factor in all of this, I know your health and what you have been going through and sympathize with you tremendously on this, I know it is agonizing to just not have the go you used to and there is little to be done about it. Sadly, the additional worry of rescue etc will also take a toll on your health if you let it....

if you can take the rescue financial burden off of you , then that would reduce your stress right? Yes! SO then allow those that want to help do so.

Thank you all for your support.
I took on another full time second job to help me get caught up, then I lost my main job that paid me close to 30 an hr, this hurt me badly, now I am depending on a job that pays 11 an hr.
I carried over 2006 debt into 2007, a debt I usually have paid off by the time the next year begins.
Illegal imigrants are now doing roofing, this has also taken jobs away from me.
Hey....things aren't looking so good for me and my rescue facility.
I started remodeling my loft last year, now it sits unfinished.
Americans seem to think its okay for illegal imigrants to be here in our country, well apparently they haven't lost work from this issue, I have.
Pride, yes I agree my pride is an issue, I made the decission to help animals many years ago, "not you folks", I can't expect others to pay for my commitment.
As a Rescuer I strive to help others understand why there are rescue facilities, why I do what I do, mass breeding of exotics is one issue, allowing the PET cat to roam freely is another issue, The Pigeon Racing World and how it contributes to the bird of peace being mass poisoned.
All are contributers to RESCUE FACILITIES, and the list goes on.
Cats and Dogs lives are thrown around as if they have no meaning, now in just the last 50 years we can ad the exotic bird to this list, is there no end to this maddness?
I pay $100.00 dollars just for Baytril, and that doesn't last long sometimes a month sometimes 2 weeks sometimes one week, I recently ordered my meds from Foys Pigeon supply, over $300.00 spent for supplies that might last me one month.
Thats a total of $400.00 for one months supply, now lets add on costs for shipping birds to me, gas driving to pick birds up, everything cost so much these days...
Loosing my regular job (my 27 year trade) hurt me badly...
Everyone is hurting in todays time, then I see thousands of Americans getting together and supporting the (rights) of those that come into our country Illegally....what else is coming into our country, how about Antrax, How about other chemicals of mass destructions, as we Americans send our children off to fight for others freedom we can't protect our selfs or our economy here at home, I am out of a job right now because of this issue, and frankly put...that job supported my Rescue Facility...
Its a crazy world with Freedom being exploited just like everything else, I am just a statistic of this expoitation, what more can one person say...

Arty I just wanted to say that i'm so sorry you lost your job that paid so well, my husband is a service plumber and has found it hard just to make 40 hours a week right now due to the fact that people can't afford to remodel their bathrooms or kitchens or anything else right now as work has slowed down here for many, many trades and people are all struggling to make ends meet here.

You said.....

Pride, yes I agree my pride is an issue, I made the decission to help animals many years ago, "not you folks", I can't expect others to pay for my commitment.

It has nothing to do with EXPECTING anyone to pay for anything, people want to help you financially because you are helping so many creatures and people. Some can't afford to do what you are doing, others don't have the space or time and therefore want to contribute to someone they can trust, someone they know will use that money for what it's intended to be used for. Arty you are that person, if we had extra money I would gladly send you as much as humanly possible to help out because you deserve that help. Please don't think of it as a handout, people want to help you financially because of who you are and what you do..... please remember that. I know you have alot of pride but please realize that people want to give you money to show the support they have for what you do. Arty I can't express how much respect I have for what you do and i'm sure others feel the same, you are an amazing man and deserve every last bit of help that is offered. Please remember that.

Arty, Glad to see a post from you...I was worried about you!
I am going to comment on your post.
America, I hate to say it....is not what it used to be! I see so many things wrong.....hate between races, jobs taken away by illegal aliens (as in your trade) ridiculous war..for what? (Democracy is Iraq? Never happen!) To fill crooked politians pockets? (I think so!) I could go on and on. Now we get to the Animals......OH Boy! Arty, I am really starting to dislike people. The animal abuse that is going on is beyond my comprehension and for me, goes back to barbaric times! I just cannot believe people like this are existing on this earth today! And the problem is.... it is so out of control. There cannot even be strict enough punishment because there is no more room in the jails to put these barbaric animal abusers!
As far as your rescue....a break sounds good to me...your health is more important. You have alot on your plate as many of us do. These are some tough times in America today and things do not look like they are going to improve anytime soon. We just have to keep our chins up and pray for the best! One thing we all have in common here.....we put our pets first! This is the true compassion for all of Gods creatures!