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AMBIVALENT

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Member Since: 6/2008 Last Seen: 5/16/2012

Lonesome Dove

Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:08 PM EST

not-news, sadness, mourning, chico, my-pal, plaintive, solitary-mate

So so high up!

Lonesome Dove

Chico listening to the dove

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I took my dog Chico out for a short stroll in the icy breeze this morning. He isn't feeling very well. He pricked up his ears though, as I did mine when we heard the mournful call of a dove. We had to look for it, and there that dove was - far far up in one of the oak trees, cooing its heart out. I don't remember ever seeing a dove up that high. It was there for a long time. Where is it's mate?

My little Chico is struggling now. He is only 13, middle aged for a chihuahua, but has an as yet undiagnosed digestive ailment. He goes for anti nausea shots and eats but bits of chicken poached in broth. He is my shadow, and still the alpha of his pack. He seems sad now. Me too. Soon I think, I will be a lot like the lonesome dove.

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Public Discussion (32)

I wish I could make him well again.

5 votes

#1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:07 PM EST

Oh poor thing!! Aren't their mates usually somewhere nearby? I don't know that much about Doves.

Very nice picture. :-)

2 votes

#2 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:23 PM EST

I know they are monogamous and like to take sandy dust baths in the street. I was surprised to see it so far up.

1 vote

#2.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:50 PM EST

Buzz of the Orient

I, too, understand that doves mate for life, and if a mate is lost, they earn the name Lonesome Dove. You may have photographed a sad story. I hope not.

2 votes

#2.2 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 4:17 AM EST

Oh nice picture of the lonesome dove. I have some we can share. I hope your Chico starts to feel better.

2 votes

#3 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:26 PM EST

That would be lovely. Thank you.

1 vote

#3.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:51 PM EST

ambivalent, I am sorry about your Chico's problem. Maybe they will figure it out yet? Hope the doves hook up again soon too:) Maybe up so high to search?

1 vote

#4 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:31 PM EST

I was thinking the same thing, the best view.

1 vote

#4.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:34 PM EST

Shelby Davenport

Oh, Chico is a cutie! He reminds me of a dog my daughter rescued, part chihuahua, part some kind of terrier. He has thyroid problems but is managing and I think is pretty close to Chico's age and looks quite a bit like him. Here's hoping they sort out Chico's problem. Have you tried cooked white rice? I've had to do that on occasion for my dalmatian's touchy stomach.

2 votes

#5 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:41 PM EST

I am supposed to put white rice in with the chicken, but he separates it out grain by grain, so now he just gets what he will eat. He also gets a little pepcid AC disolved in water, and I use a tiny plunger to shoot it into his mouth. He surely does not like that!! Thanks for commenting. :)

1 vote

#5.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:48 PM EST

Shelby Davenport

Well, wouldn't 'ya know. Thoughts are with you and Chico.

2 votes

#5.2 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:56 PM EST

Ambivalent you got me a bit teary reading about Chico. When our Sammy really started to decline and wouldn't eat (which totally unbalanced my husband and I because Sammy was a garbage gut and loved food most of his life) we tried everything. What he would always eat was ground hamburger so I always made sure he got some or any other meat I happened to be cooking. He wouldn't eat dog food towards the end....wanted the real mccoy not pieces parts. I hope whatever direction things go for Chico that he's comfortable and in no pain. *hugs to you and give Chico extra loving from me.

2 votes

#6 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:02 PM EST

Thanks so much Jackie. I remember your sadness. Although I have four dogs from this family, Chico is my shadow. He watches over me and his three children, and sleeps between me and my husband, lol!

1 vote

#6.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:08 PM EST

Sorry to hear Chico isn't feeling well. I don't have dogs and couldn't begin to offer advice.

Your dove is likely calling for a mate. Mourning doves stake at territory with those calls...

1 vote

#7 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:38 PM EST

I didn't know that, thank you for that information. Maybe the dove is getting ready for Spring and seeking a life partner - that is a lovely thought!

1 vote

#7.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:41 PM EST

Poor Chico! I will be hoping for better days for him.

2 votes

#8 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:27 PM EST

Thank you Holly. Maybe he will improve and wag his tail again.

#8.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:30 PM EST

I hope so!!!

2 votes

#8.2 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:31 PM EST

I have a doggy that had a digestive problem too. Switched him to a grain free and poultry free diet and things got alot better. He eats fruits, veggies and salmon. The salmon makes his coat scream pretty dog!

I hope Chico feels better! I can't wait to run home and hug my doggy now!

1 vote

#9 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:57 PM EST

Lucky doggie! Salmon, hmmmm... Maybe we could share. The vet did mention to add some veggies to his dish, but he wont eat them at the moment. Thanks for the tip, Bad Fish.

1 vote

#9.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:11 PM EST

You can find it in a kibble called "Taste of the Wild."

2 votes

#9.2 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:01 PM EST

Did you know that Mourning doves mate for life? He's either young or mourning the loss of his mate. I hope he finds one.

I'm so sorry to read about Chico, hope he gets to feeling better soon!

4 votes

#10 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:31 PM EST

Thank you rottlady. At least Chico felt a little better this evening.

2 votes

#10.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:24 PM EST

Oh my.. it's always so difficult when our furkids are not doing well.. Sending healing thoughts to little Chico.

I love the sounds the doves make...

3 votes

#11 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:51 PM EST

He wagged his tail a few times this evening, seems happier. He wanted my panini sandwhich! I agree Piletre, the doves make a profound, bittersweet sound, beautiful like the low notes of a Peruvian wind instrument.

1 vote

#11.1 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:22 PM EST

I know how hard it is to see them getting older, I've often thought that the reason they don't live longer than they do is that as hard as it is to lose one after 15-20 years, 40-50 years would be totally unbearable. But hey, if he's tough enough to want to chase doves...he's got a good long while to go yet! Healing thoughts for Chico, and best wishes for you.

3 votes

#12 - Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:18 PM EST

Thank you for your kind thoughts. :)

1 vote

#12.1 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:25 AM EST

Don't worry, It is almost mating and nesting season, doves are rather randy birds anyway, the call is really just a love song of attraction and not a mournful cry of lonelyness.

Ambi, I know what you are talking about with you dog, it is a very introspective time. Just hug Chico everyday through out your days together.

2 votes

#13 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:23 AM EST

Thanks Vlad. He's my dog, I know you understand.

2 votes

#13.1 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:26 AM EST

I thought I would write that Chico is feeling rather frisky today, :). We went for a walk, all five of us into the woods, he was interested in everything and trotted around quite a bit, enjoyed his children and herded them back to the house on command. A good day today, so far. No sight or sound of the dove.

#14 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 12:25 PM EST

My little Chico is struggling now.

Awww. May Chico enjoy many more years with you. Mourning doves nest all over my house - in window sills, wreaths, flower boxes. A few years ago, I linked pixs of doves at my house. I thought you'd get a kick out of some pics of a little family at my house - mom, dad and 3 babies.

http://jjocarolata.newsvine.com/_news/2010/11/04/5411292-nesting-doves

#15 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:01 PM EST

How wonderful, thank you for posting these photos.

1 vote

#15.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 12:30 PM EST

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