Touché And The Robin

Please don't eat me. I'm frightened." cried the little bird in Touche's mouth. 

"Put me down! Put me down!"

Touché gently laid the bird onto a shady part of the grass and spoke, as he licked the bird's head, "I won't eat you. I will lick you to make you better because I'm a dog, and that's what dogs do. They say my lick has magical healing powers.”

 It all began when Touché rested, half awake, on his comforter. Suddenly, he heard a loud bang – a thud sound from outside. Instantly alert, he quickly flew through the doggy door into the backyard to see what made that horrible noise.

The day began as an ordinary spring day – The warm sun beat down on the lush green grass. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers in the air. The birds chirped happily at their seed feeder.

The Bees and butterflies were doing their work, buzzing around the flowers. Then, as usual, the hummingbirds were fighting for ownership of their nectar feeder.

On weekends, Dad, Touché's human guardian,  would be whistling as he worked in the garden while Touché proudly watched from a safe distance. But today was the middle of the week. Dad was inside at his computer.

But, now, there were no birds merrily chirping. They were not at their seed feeder. At this time of year, birds passing through on their migration northward usually crowd the feeder, constantly chirping and vying for access to the seeds.

Dad might have missed filling it this morning, or something more frightful might have happened. Touché guessed the birds spied a hawk flying overhead and sounded the alarm for all to flee. When that happens, they all panic and fly off in every direction.

Touché then saw what caused the thud sound. A tiny bird was lying on the grass. It wasn't moving. Touché slowly approached. The bird was motionless, but he could see it was still breathing.

With Brittany's compassion instinct, Touché needed to save the bird. He licked the bird again and again. The bird finally began to sit up, but it was in obvious pain. Touché sat before the bird, wondering what to do next to ease its pain.

“Hi. My name is Touché. What’s yours?”
 

“I guess it’s Robin. We don’t call each other by names. It’s all in how we chirp. I don't know what happened just then,” whimpered the little bird. “I was with my crowd at the feeder. It’s always hectic. We push each other to get a perch. Then, the danger alarm was given, and we all scattered.

“I immediately zipped off. I din’t care where I was going. I just wanted to get safe. Suddenly, a bird was flying directly at me. I tried to avoid it, but every time I changed direction, it would do the same. That other bird looked exactly like me – sorta.

“Then we banged into each other, and suddenly everything went dark. “I don't know what happened. I awoke in your mouth. It all happened like it was in slow motion.”

"You didn't crash into another bird. You slammed into the window. You saw yourself in the reflection like a mirror, which is why it looked like you. I heard the bang and ran outside to find you lying on the grass … Can you walk?”

"No. It hurts. But I need to catch up with my family. We were on our way north but stopped here to rest and eat. They are leaving soon and will leave me behind. What can I do? I am scared … and very hungry.”

"Well, stay here, little birdie, and I will bring you some food. You'll be safe here." Touché went to his secret stash of treats, which he kept in a dark closet in the house.

After a while, he returned with one of his treats in his mouth. He placed it on the ground in front of Robin and said, “Here’s something to eat.”

“I’m sorry, Touché, but I can’t eat that. I only eat seeds and worms, which I find in the ground. They are crawling under the grass.”

Touché began frantically digging in the grass, trying to find a worm … his paws covered in mud.

But suddenly, Dad swings open the back door and runs outside, yelling, "NO DIG! How many times do I have to tell you? You're ruining our lawn.”

Head hung low, Touché returns to the little bird. "I'm sorry, Robin, I don't have seeds or worms for you. I'm just a dog; I don’t eat those things,”

“That was my Dad yelling at me. I call my human guardians Mom and Dad. Of course, they’re not really my mom and dad—they’re humans, after all. But they take such good care of me like a mother and father.

“I used to have a different Mom and Dad, but they couldn’t care for me, so they gave me up. It’s called adoption. My new Mom and Dad are very nice. They care for me and say I’m in my forever home.”

Robin ruffled her feathers, trying to be brave. "It's okay, Touché. It's not your fault. It's just that our world is changing.

“Each spring, our inner senses tell us we must fly north, where the food is more plentiful. But we can’t stay there all year because it gets too cold.

“It’s a very long trip, and we must stop to eat and rest along the way.  The places where we used to rest and feed during our travels are disappearing. It's harder to find food and shelter each year.

"Our navigators complain that everything is different every year. Our favorite stopping places are not there anymore . . . The navigators get very confused.”

Touché tilted his head, trying to understand. "But why? What's happening to your resting places?”

Robin sighed. "It's because of what humans are doing. They build more and more. Our natural habitats are being lost. We rely on these places to rest and regain strength during these long migrations. We're finding it harder to locate safe spots.”

"That sounds tough," Touché empathized. "But why does it matter so much? Can't you find new places to stop?"

"It's not that simple," Robin explained. “We follow ancient routes passed down through generations. Our navigators learn these routes based on certain land features and climate conditions. When our usual stops are gone, it throws us off.”

Touché nodded. He began to understand the gravity of the situation. "So, by the time you realize it, you must be exhausted. You’re just ending a very long flight. What happens when you can't find these places?"

”We struggle," Robin admitted. "Some of us can't make it any further. They either starve or become too weak to continue the journey. It's a big problem for many bird species, not just mine."

Touché looked around the garden, his eyes thoughtful. "Is there anything I can do to help? I may be just a dog, but I want to help.”

Robin chirped softly, a hint of a smile in her tone. "Just being aware is a start. You can ask Dad to create a safe place for birds like me in your garden. Plant native plants and keep cats indoors.

Even have a bird feeder like yours that I can't access now because of my leg.”

"That's a great idea, Robin!” Touché barked excitedly. "I'll tell Dad everything. We'll make our garden a sanctuary for you and your friends.”

Robin's spirits lifted. "Thank you, Touché. It's heartwarming to know there are friends like you who care."

As Touché bounded off to find Dad, Robin felt a glimmer of hope. “Maybe, just maybe,” she thought, “if more people and pets understood the plight of migratory birds, they could make a difference, one garden at a time.”

Touché raced back to Robin, his mind whirling with plans. "Don't worry, Robin! I've told Dad everything. He's calling a friend who helps injured birds.” Together, Touché and Robin envisioned a dream garden.

Robin's eyes widened with a mix of hope and fear. "But my family, they're getting ready to leave. If I don't go now, I'll be left behind.”

Touché sat beside her, trying to be comforting. "I know it's scary, but we must ensure your leg is better. If you try to fly now, you might hurt yourself even more. You won’t get to your destination.”

Just then, Dad arrived with his friend, Mrs. Jenkins, who carried a small box of bird care supplies. She gently examined Robin's leg. "It's a sprain, but it's not too severe. With some rest and care, you can fly again.”

Robin looked at the sky, where her flock was fluttering restlessly. "But my family... I can't lose them.”

Ms. Jenkins spoke softly, "I understand, Robin. Birds have strong bonds. But if you leave now, you might never keep up with them. Let's fix your leg and give you some food and water. You'll need your strength to continue on your journey."

Reluctantly, Robin agreed, and Ms. Jenkins carefully bandaged her leg. Touché watched, feeling helpless yet hopeful. He thought that Mrs. Jenkins was a good nurse.

As the sun set, Robin's flock ascended into the sky. With her bandaged leg, Robin could only watch them disappear into the horizon. Tears filled her eyes as the reality of her situation sunk in.

Touché nuzzled her gently. "I'm sorry, Robin. We'll take good care of you. Who knows? Maybe you can join another flock, or yours might return for you. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

Though heartbroken, Robin found comfort in Touché's words and the kindness of his human friends. As night fell, she nestled into a cozy box that Mrs. Jenkins had prepared, with Touché lying beside her, guarding her through the night.

The following day, Robin felt stronger. Her leg was still sore, but the pain had lessened. Touché, wagging his tail, said, "Good morning, Robin! How's the leg?”

"It's better," Robin chirped, testing her weight. "But I don't know what to do now. I'm all alone.”

Touché's eyes sparkled with an idea. "Maybe you're not alone after all. We can help you find another flock, or maybe your flock will return. And until then, you have us to take care of you.”

Robin felt a warm glow in her heart. Though she had lost her family, she had found unexpected friends in Touché and his humans. Together, they would help her recover and find her way back to the skies, proving that friendship and kindness can make all the difference, even in the most challenging times.

They sat quietly, Robin staring wistfully toward the horizon, wondering what would happen to her, while Touché looked down at her, sadness in his eyes.

Touché suddenly jumped up. He tilted his head one way, then another like he was trying to listen hard. ”Do you hear that, Robin?”

Not understanding the acute hearing skills of dogs, Robin replied, "No. Hear what?"

"It sounds like lots of chirping."

A tiny dark cloud appeared on the horizon. The clouds grew bigger and bigger, and the chirping became louder and louder.

"It's my family! They came back for me!" 

Robin jumped up and began to flap her wings. "Ouch. It hurts," Robin exclaimed. "I need to fly, but I can’t! What can I do?"

The duo realized Robin could not run fast enough to lift off. They needed a plan … and quickly. The flock looks pretty anxious, flying overhead.

"I've got it," cried Touché. "I will be your launching pad. I want you to climb onto my back and cling on tightly. Then, I'll run across that field as fast as possible until you get airborne. That will work."

"That sounds okay, but how will you get to the field? There's that fence around us.”

"I've never done it before. But I'm sure I can jump over that gate. It's our only hope to get back to your family … so have faith, and let's go!"

”Climb on my back," he said, laying down as low as he could. Robin limped and struggled. She used her beak to help pull herself onto Touché's back. It was hard, but she finally made it.

"Okay. Hold on tight as I’ve gotta leap over that fence." Touché walked to the end of the yard, turned,

"Here we go. Hang on tight," Touché screamed as he ran as fast as he could toward the fence.

As he accelerated, he felt confident, jumped with perfect timing, and cleared the fence.

"We are in the field, Robin! Are you okay? ”

“Yes, Touché! Please dash as fast as you can. I'll hold out my wings until I feel myself lifting. 

“I'll get up there. I see my flock, and they see me. I hear them cheering."

Touché gathered all his strength and dashed across the field, Robin clinging to his back. The wind rushed past them. Robin spread her wings wide, feeling the air beginning to lift. Her heart pounded with hope and fear.

Touché ran faster than ever, his eyes fixed on the flock in the distance. "You can do it, Robin!" he barked encouragingly.

The tall grass seemed to open up for them as Touché sprinted straight ahead, his ears flopping in the breeze.

As they neared the end of the field, Robin felt a surge of strength. She flapped her wings. To her amazement, she began to lift off  Touché's back. "I'm doing it! I'm flying!" she chirped joyously.

Panting heavily, Touché sat and watched in admiration as Robin soared higher and higher, catching up to her flock in the beautiful blue sky

Seeing their lost member return, the flock chirped and fluttered excitedly, rearranging themselves into a heart-shaped formation as a farewell gesture.

Robin, now high above, circled once above Touché. "Goodbye, my awesome friend!" she called down. "Thank you for everything. I will stop by next year. 

“See ya!"

Although Touché felt very sad to see Robin fly away, he barked happily, wagging his tail as he watched his new friend disappear into the horizon with her family. He felt a sense of pride and joy in his heart, knowing he had helped his friend.

Touché trotted home. He couldn't wait to tell Dad about their incredible adventure.

Robin's brave journey and unlikely friendship would be a tale they would cherish forever.

And in the depths of his heart, Touché knew that the following spring would bring another reunion with the brave little bird he had helped save.

The End  –  Not 🙂

🐾🐾

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