In Loving Memory

We would like to announce the passing of Pete Thornton. Pete and Matilda Thornton (who we have since learned is actually a male) are two doves we have had since June. The owners of a carpet cleaning business had a few of them in their store, and they randomly gave them to us, thinking that we would be good owners. Hiram trained them to fly and to jump from one person's arm to another. We have enjoyed their antics, except that Liz has not enjoyed the large amounts of poop they leave on the carpet when they fly around the house.

Anyway, when we bought our house in July, we found that, when left outside, the doves generally stayed in the yard and perched on the fence. We would lock their cage at night and let them run free in the daytime. They always returned to their cage at night. Liz loved this outdoor arrangement, since it eliminated the poopy mess inside.

However, on August 24, Pete flew off with some magpie in the morning, leaving the yard. He didn't return at night. The next afternoon, our neighbor found Pete's body near the corner of our yard. He'd been attacked by neighborhood cats. May he rest in peace.

We have now replaced him with another dove named Bertie (get it?). We think this one is a "she." Our male Matilda follows her everywhere she goes. We think we may soon see a baby dove. Until further notice, the doves have been relocated to our family room.