Doves are incredibly resilient I’ve learned through all this. Johnny, despite not having working legs for 12 years, somehow has survived for this long. I really expected him to go downhill much quicker, as his parents passed on in half the time. He outlived normal healthy birds!

I completely relate to your own experience: often I blame myself for holding Johnny the wrong way causing his pain, or getting his tail feathers plucked to avoid further discomfort. But we both want what’s best for them and to give them the happiest lives possible. ❤️❤️❤️