I’ve always had great respect for nature and our planet. I recycle, I repurpose, I don’t use pesticides/insecticides and if I ever caught you littering it would not be pretty. I even practice catch and release. Well…. unless it’s a spider bigger than a daddy-long-legs. Those I leave to Mr. Kewlstuff, who surprisingly enough, is not afraid of them!?! (Personally, I think it’s all just an act, and on the inside he’s really screaming like a girl. Seriously, who’s not afraid of spiders? That’s just not possible.)

Anyway, the point is, I try to tread lightly. Leave a small footprint. Not interfere.

But after this week, I’m rethinking the interfering part.

The bunny story did not end well, although the dogs played no further role in it. Within 36 hrs. I realized the doe was not returning to the nest to feed the babies. By the time I secured the proper replacement formula, including the acidophilus necessary for their digestion, it was too late. Everything I read said DO NOT remove those babies from their nest. I should have followed my gut on this one and removed them immediately.

So, if that wasn’t bad enough…

Ya know, when that Robin decided to build her nest on the porch, my first instinct was to stop her. The Phoebe had seniority. But again, I didn’t want to interfere, and figured that they’d work it out. I thought the Phoebe had accepted the fact that her new neighbor was here to stay. They wouldn’t turn their backs on each other, but they dutifully stayed on their respective nests. Night before last, on my way into bed, I noticed that the Phoebe was not on the nest. After watching her raise eight broods over the last four years I knew she would NEVER have just abandoned it. This wasn’t going to end well either.

We checked the next morning. Two of the three eggs had hatched, but both hatchlings were dead. I suspect the male Robin had something to do with it. He’d been hanging around a lot the past few days, and since he’s three times the size of a Phoebe, I think he strong-armed them into leaving.

Again, had I followed my gut the ending would have been much different.

Yea, I know only the strong survive. blah. blah. blah. But from now on, I’m going to do what I can to make sure that at least some of the weak ones survive too. I prefer happy endings.

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