Sun 4th Oct.Free Copy of Day 10, and Roger the poopy T-Rex
Helllooooo! The last 12 days have been super busy, but also super rewarding.
Roger, a 3 to 4-day-old baby wood pigeon, was taken into someone’s house by a cat.
He had an empty crop (which means no food). Thankfully, he didn’t have any cat puncture wounds, but he was dangerously cold. He wouldn’t be able to process or digest food so cold, so I shoved him under Big Sleepy, my largest fantail, who was incubating an egg due to hatch.
But then a miracle of nature happened, and Big Sleepy must have thought his egg had hatched, because he started feeding Roger.
It was incredible.
Big Sleepy and Manbird then brooded over him for the next 3 days and saved his life. Once their egg hatched Roger had to vacate and I took over.
So, for the last 9/10 days, from 6am to 8pm, I’ve been feeding Roger every 2½ hours. I even bought a vet-standard incubator to keep him warm. That was ridiculously expensive!
Each feed with Roger takes around 20 mins, start to end. And the food has to be made fresh each time. Baby birds, especially baby pigeons, are Goldilocks. If it ain’t exactly right, it ain’t getting eaten. It has to be served between 39 to 41 degrees.
It is a huge commitment, and it so often goes wrong, but it’s also incredibly rewarding in a way that so few things are.
Holding him at each feed is a blessing. Watching him stretch and gulp, and seeing him grow day on day, is also a blessing. I was with him when he stood up for the first time. I saw his eyes open and start to pay attention. I even saw him stand and give his first wing flaps today. That was joyous. Now he wants to explore my desk between feeds. I’ve even come to recognise the little bum wiggle he does before he poops. Which is a lot. Like jesus how much do you poo???
He’s about 12 days old now, and big enough to be in daycare with two Fantail squabs. Their mum and dad (Rosie Dozie and Big Bendy) accept Roger, but they don’t feed him. This will help Roger learn socialisation. I will try and rewild him next spring. But in case he stays, he needs to be accepted into the community in my pigeon room.
So yes, a very busy time, and as more people hear about me caring for pigeons, so more people call and ask me to take more in. I’m at capacity for what I can do in that room for now. If I do get more, I’ll have to upscale.
That’s the pigeon stuff. In between the feeds and cleaning, I’m busy writing next year’s material. Or maybe even 2028, as published books do take a long time to get released.
Changing Worlds is out Jan 2027. You can pre-order on Amazon, and in bookshops, and Barnes & Noble in the US, etc. If you do go for a physical copy, try and buy it from an indie bookstore if you can.
Ooh, Changing Worlds is on NetGalley as an ARC if anyone fancies an early read. I’ll also be giving out some ARCs for Changing Worlds very soon.
So, at the moment I am doing another book in The Old Lady verse for 2027. That will go to the publisher and hopefully get taken on if they want it.
While that is in edits, I’ll then do more independent content. (Undead / Mike Humber)
The Undead new versions are going well. DAY TEN was the last one done. Just finished it a few days ago.
I’ll attach it here for you -
Kindle has been updated, although you may have to contact Amazon support to get the new version sent to you.
Day Ten was a blast to write. And I kept Howie and Dave’s glass half full conversation. I could never cut that!
Once these new/old versions are done, I’ll get on and do more UNDEAD.
And I can’t wait to get stuck into Mike Humber Book 4.
BAITED has done so well!! That was book #3. I’m so pleased about that. I love writing the Mike Humber books. The feedback has been great.
You can buy the boxset here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0HJCXT3JC https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJCXT3JC
That’s about it in my world of dogs and birds and books. I’ve been working my way through Edmund Cooper’s books. A sci-fi writer from the 1970s. What an imagination! I’d recommend them to anyone who loves sci-fi, but you do have to keep in mind the use of language back then is often vastly different from what is acceptable now.
Righto, well, another feed is due soon. I shall go and get ready for the next poopy adventures of Roger Woodlington-Woody. Honestly, he’s like a mini T-rex. You can literally see the dinosaur in him. It’s so cool.
I do hope you and yours are well!
Much love
