Out early this morning to feed the cats. Like most of the United States, we have had some really crazy weather. High winds, heavy rain- even snow that stuck for days. I was headed for the feral feeder by the barn when I noticed something on the fence – just hanging there. At first, I thought it was a black garbage bag blown in by last night’s storm. But then I noticed Kota was headed straight for it, and I called him off and put him in his pen. Then I went to investigate.

It was a Tom- a gobbler (not a tomcat). He had somehow gotten stuck on the wire fence- it was wrapped around one of his talons and he was hanging upside down! I tried to lift his leg up and over the wire- but he would have none of it. I raced to the shop and only by a miracle did I find a wire cutter. I have been packing up Mike’s shop as the entire contents have now been sold off to one buyer. But God allowed me to find the wire cutters very quickly. I grabbed a blanket off the cat bed and raced back to this poor bird who had been hanging there- who knows how long?

I threw the blanket over his head so he couldn’t see to peck me to death and then I cut the wire. He fell with a thud and I held on to the blanket as he freed himself. He is a big boy! He finally got out from under, fell the against the fence. I could see his mangled leg and knew he couldn’t walk.

Of course my cell was in the house, so I ran in to get it and called the Oregon State Wildlife Troopers as well as a wildlife refuge center. The center wasn’t opened that early and the trooper was on a field call. I walked back to where the turkey had been and he was gone. He could fly- once he got his wits about him- but he cannot walk. I feel bad for him and hope that his leg will heal in time, but if he can’t keep up with the flock- it won’t go well for him. I will keep an eye out and if I do see him, I will put out some extra seed so he can at least get some food.

I looked in our roosting trees by the creeks but all the turkeys I saw up there were all balanced on two legs. I looked for him in the bushes, but he was gone. I just hope he will okay. At any given time- we have up to 40 turkeys in the flock that hangs around here. I think he was the head honcho so I hope they look out for one another.

On the Pigeon front- not great news- he is swelling again and has busted all but three sutures. I will not take him back to the vet until his re-check- he has had enough sedation and stress. I will just keep him on the meds, clean the wounds as best I can and take him on his re-check on the 22nd of this month. There’s only so much you can ask a kitty to do. He’s gone far and beyond what I ever expected of him.