Pigeons: Wonderful Companions

Pigeons have been domesticated for thousands of years, have been used in the past as sacrifices to gods, raised for food and also (even though rarely) kept as pets. Pigeons have bravely acted as carriers for messages across battlefields and between cities and towns, been couriers of news from distant relatives or reporters, and transported vital medication to ill people. Nowadays tame pigeons are still used to carry messages, but more commonly raised for racing, meat,experimentation for science and "white dove" releases at weddings and some other celebrations. 

Keep in mind that pigeons and doves aren't the same. Doves are generally smaller and more delicate, whilst pigeons are bigger and bulkier. Even though the common urban pigeon, living in cities is often named the "Rock Dove", and ones mostly used at weddings (white doves) are named as if they were doves, alas they are still pigeons. (The reason for wedding companies using pigeons and not doves is because they return home, therefore it is more sensible of a decision.)

Now, you might be asking, what is an article about pigeons doing on an inventor's blog ? Truth is, I have always felt a strange connection to these birds. The main key to productivity is being alone, as I have said before, but these wonderful birds are an exception to me. 

Pigeons make excellent pets for a variety of reasons:

• They are attractive
• They are quiet with a calming, gentle voice
• They are easy to tame
• They are generally healthy and very hardy 
• They are active but not overly demanding
• They require very little maintenance

The  pigeon has a noble history, is one of the most loyal and devoted of birds, and, when raised with love and attention, can be a faithful and treasured companion. They are truly a delight for the enlightened and informed.

For almost 30 years, and fed the pigeons in Herald Square, Bryant Park, the plaza of the public library and at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. I blew a low whistle, mostly after midnight, and the birds gathered. Some perched on my head, some on my shoulders and arms, while others flew to the ground. A few even ate seeds out of my hands. I even spent over 2000 Dollars to aid a pigeon with a broken wing and leg.

As many might have heard, I was/am (?) a severe germaphobe, but I always allowed the sick, parasite-ridden birds to get close to me. One in particular caught my eye, a white female with light gray tips. She was my favorite, and I felt that she would find me wherever I went. I even stayed by her side for days when she was ill, and I truly believed my work would end when she died. 

I felt that I could always accomplish anything I began, no matter how ambitious the scheme, so long as this pigeon lived.  One night as I was sleeping she came in through the window that I always kept open for the pigeons- she was dying. I could tell from her eyes that she was trying to tell me this, and I saw a ray of light shining in her eyes. Few people believed me, of course, but after she was gone I felt much sadder than I ever was.

I loved that pigeon as a man loves a woman, and she loved me. As long as I had her, there was a purpose to my life.