I hear you, Pete

Pete sure had a lot to say this morning. As I said my good mornings to Shana, Georgia, Hope, and Mabel, Pete hollered repeatedly letting me that he was there also — “Please, please. I’m over here. Pay attention to me.” During all the ruckus, Maggie, Daisy, and Molly just stood by and listened.

I did talk to Pete, letting me that I was paying attention to his cries. It seemed to be to no avail. Pete hollered and hollered …. until I went back into the house.

You see Pete is the newest member of what we’re starting call “Dolittle’s Ranch.” Pete the Peacock joins Shana, Georgia, and Hope, the donkeys; Mabel the chickens (we call them all Mabel); Maggie, Daisy, and Molly the dogs; and Boots, Benny, and Pumpkin, the cats. All of these creatures are rescue animals of some sort. They have each come to us with different stories. I’ll stick with Pete’s today. (You can read Molly’s story here.)

Just before Christmas I went to the hay barn to feed the donkeys and there sat Pete on a stack of wood. I was startled to say the least. I rushed back to the house to get my camera hoping he’d stick around long enough to pose for me. Well, Pete has been here ever since.

Hubby and I talked about never hearing of peacocks in the wild. These beautiful birds are native to the sub-continent area of India. Some have become feral in the United States, but most are in zoos, sanctuaries, or at private homes. Some cities, such as Houston Texas, are seeing a growth in peacocks and peahens. They are either loved or hated.

We have some acreage for our every-growing land-bound ark. Some of Pete’s tail feathers are damaged, so he can’t really fly well. So he struts around the pasture that the donkeys roam in. At night, Pete can get to the lower branches of the trees for protection. On occasion, he joins the chickens browsing in the yard. Looks like Pete is going to be around for awhile.

We often wonder how we became an attraction to these animals in need. I know why I’m attracting to them. Even the donkeys had no choice over the situation they were in. But we could help change the situation.

I don’t know how long Pete will be part of the menagerie. He’s welcome as long as he’d like. He will be missed if he decides to move on. Each morning I’ll continue to go out talk to the animals, make sure they have something to eat and access to water, and enjoy Pete’s honks as he lets me know he’s still around.

Who are your special friends?