Yesterday afternoon I stood in my upstairs bathroom folding and sorting laundry and as I moved back and forth between the washer and the dryer, I stepped delicately.
And I thought to myself, "I wonder if I am the only woman on earth at this moment who is folding laundry with a white ring-neck dove pecking around on her bathroom floor."
This morning in a sleepy stupor, I heard the rustling of children downstairs. Moments later, I awoke to hushed giggles beside my bed, and opened my eyes to a dove preening her feathers on my pillow.
And I thought to myself, "I wonder if I am the only woman on earth waking up to a white ring-neck dove nesting on her pillow."
So before you begin to think that I've started smoking strange substances, I should probably back up and explain myself.
On Saturday, the girls and I made a quick roadtrip to my sister's house for the final leg of this on-going Christmas celebration. (Am I the only one with a few lingering Christmas gifts still to give?) My sister and I have been coordinating this giving of doves for awhile.
She works in a vet office and often comes home with the odd animal that needs some rehabilitation or extra care and Chloe the dove has been in her charge for awhile. It was at Thanksgiving that I mentioned Emma was saving up for a dove and she said she had one and wanted to give it to Emma for Christmas.
Of course we didn't want to leave Mary out, so we found another friend, and Chloe and Snowflake have now taken up residence in my kitchen.
The girls are obsessed, which may be an understatement. The doves spend more time out of their cage than in. Chloe rides around the house in Mary's arms like a queen, nestled down on a soft pillow. This morning I checked emails while she sat on my chest, preening her feathers and pecking at my buttons.
I've decided that I am now all about the menagerie. The chickens, the guineas, the finches, the doves. Bring on the turtles, the sheep, the ponies, the hamsters. What's childhood without a little animal kingdom craziness? right? anyone?
I really like them…I just showed my hubby and he said no, but we’ll see 🙂 He said no to our chickens too and we’ve had them now for a while.
I have a question(actually more than one). Does it poo in your house if you have it out a lot? Oh, and what about cats?Where did you get it?
Oh, please give us more information on it.
ps I have been a silent follower for a while, but couldn’t hold in all my questions so I had to ask.
Awe! So precious. When I was little there was a time when we had dogs, cats, snakes, a tarantua, guinea pigs, turtles, a scorpion, fish & birds all at once!
Molly, can I be horrible and tell you my first thought when I started reading? “Oh, no, what if it poops?” But really, it’s so good that your girls have these pretty birdies around))
molly, my summer experience with “our” dove, espiritu, who now lives with my neighbor, was the most magical experience in my life. seeing yours gives me shivers (the good kind!)
Awe!!! I wish we could have some doves! I think our two cats might agree but for a completely different reason. My daughter on the other hand loves birds!
I absolutely agree. A year ago (before a few pets died) we had 4 dogs (3 labs and 1 great dane), a cat, a rabbit, 3 birds, a hamster, and a bunch of fish! But we also have four kids so, you know, they each had their own idea of a perfect pet.
You are becoming quite the menageris, aren’t you. The girls will enjoy all these creatures so much.
lol… I remember listening to a little kid interviewed on the radio last summer who had 31 pet chickens. She was able to carry them all around the farm, and they apparently ‘self-trained’ not to poop on her when they were being carried. Sounded like a fabulous way to grow up to me!
Those pictures are beautiful and to treasure, imagine doves – Perhaps you need a Dovecote indoors?
What beautiful pictures, Molly! You are the only mom I know enjoying such a treasure as that. You are such a fun mom.
I have a secret fear of birds- shhh don’t tell anyone. 🙂
PS- How did I not know you were in the business of making buttons? You will have to save one for me for another cowl- I would wear it proudly 🙂
I totally thought Mary would have named Snowflake and Emma would have had Chloe. Nevertheless, they are utterly darling. Can’t wait to come visit. xo
How sweet. They are beautiful – the doves and the girls. My four year old daughter would love one – as would the 2 year old cat… Have fun with the menagerie.
What is a life without all manner of animals?Such lovely pictures of such beautiful animals and children.
Oh, I love your doves. How unique! I just did a post about our hamster and I’ve got one more animal surprise. Aren’t pets so great for kids?
That’s awesome. We don’t have pets but I think we should have a family meeting to reconsider.
Just beautiful!
I can relate to you. My girls have brought into the house everything from pigeons that fell out of their nest, to rabbits, goats, donkeys, llamas, turkeys, chickens, horses, fish… I finally drew the line in the dirt and said “it has to have shoulder and eyebrows to enter this house”. My last one just left for college and I must say that I miss those “can I keep it?” years.
Oh babe, I’m a menagerie waiting to happen! J says no more mouths to feed right now, so we’re down to 1 dog and 2 fish. But it’s only a matter of time! Chickens first.
We lived in California for a bit when I was really young, and we had a goat, a boa, an iguana, a couple of dogs, and a cat. At once. And our neighbor had a monkey. What a sight it must have all been! HA!
Beautiful. Birds freak me out a little,although we had a bird for a bit while a relative awaited a move, and it was lovely.Our kitties would definitely LOVE it..which is why the birdie did not stay here too long. 😉
My dad and brother are coming today and that will me I officially only have my sister’s christmas gift left to give, and her birthday gift, because….she already had one this year…pushy!
Loving the tree border.
Yes, a little animal creativity is good. We, unfortunately (or fortunately) do not own any animals unless a water frog counts, so I’ll have to live vicariously through your animal-laden home. *_*
i’ll just ditto the “tell us more!” – how i and my girls would love that experience…my husband and cat not so much. right on with the menagerie – isn’t it a pre-req for homeschooling???
(i’m working on rats right now, but again with the cat question…)
Do you think the menagerie has room for a mama, a papa and two more girls? We’d bring along a leopard gecko too. It all looks so funny and cozy.
Oh aren’t they lovely! I imediately thought the cat question too. I have three and have worried if we had birds that they may try to kill them.
i think i need to start saving up my money for a dove now – maybe two 🙂 i miss having a bird around the house.
Sweet – and beautiful. But I’m glad they’re at your house. I have an unnatural fear of flying animals. Give me a dog or cat anyday!