This story is moving. It underscores the intimate connection between humans and animals, and really nails the idea of planetary connections. Renee Prince, whose incredible dolphin story we posted here, sent us the link to Jeff Guidry’s remarkable journey with an eagle. We wrote Jeff and he gave us permission to repost. The image is the cover of his book about the amazing friendship he has with this eagle.
Esoterically, eagles represent majesty, acute vision,strength, illumination, freedom. Jeff seems to have experienced all these attributes with this bird. Here’s the story, in his words:
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Every day at Sarvey Wildlife Center we witness first hand the incredible battle for life that our animal brothers and sisters go through. This is a story of one Bald Eagle’s magnificent spirit and sheer will to live.
It was mid-summer when a call came in reporting a fledgling Bald Eagle had fallen out of a nest on a Seattle golf course. Our very own Crazy Bob went to the rescue and transported her to the Center. She arrived with two broken wings. When asked to take her to the vet, I jump at the chance.
When I load this hurt and terrified baby into the car, she neither whimpers nor fights; she can’t even stand. This is not a good sign; she is obviously in very bad shape. As I drive to Sno-Wood Veterinary Hospital, I constantly look back to check on my very special passenger. She stares at me with big beautiful brown eyes, her mouth slightly agape. I drive a little faster—this Bald Eagle must live!
She is operated on and has both wings pinned; they are now immobile. Back at Sarvey we lay her in the bottom half of a huge carrier filled with shredded newspaper for support.The fight for her life begins.Twice a day a tube is pushed down her throat so that food and medicine can be pumped into her. A week goes by with no change; she still cannot stand up. At three weeks, there’s a slight change, but it’s for the worse. I’m getting scared for this young Bald Eagle.
Working at the Center, you begin to recognize a look, a look that indicates death is winning. This bruised and broken Bald Eagle was losing the battle but not her dignity. The struggle for her life was not over.
Every chance I get I talk softly to her, telling her to hold on, to fight, to live. Why I felt such a connection to this particular eagle, I do not know.
Four weeks go by and she is still on her belly. There is nothing so heartbreaking as seeing the life force of this majestic bird slowly slip away.At five weeks we are approaching the end. Sarvey Wildlife Center believes in giving every soul that comes in a chance to live; but when it is painfully clear that death is the only way out, the decision is made to let that particular spirit continue on its journey. We were at this juncture; this beautiful baby eagle was given one week to see if she could, or would, stand up. This was a crushing blow. Every day that next week I checked to see if she was up. The answer was always the same… “No.”
On the following Thursday I could barely face going to the Center. As I walked in not a word was spoken but everyone wore a huge grin. I raced back to the young Bald Eagle’s cage, and there she stood in all her glory!
She was standing! She had won. This girl had cheated death by a mere 24 hours. She was going to make it. She was going to get her second chance.
After another week the pins in her wings were removed. Her right wing was perfect, but her left was not. She couldn’t fully extend it. We tried physical therapy and hoped a little time was all she needed, but there was no significant progress. Her wing was too badly damaged. She would never fly, never soar the skies with her people. At least her life was saved, but for what? Was she doomed to live her life in a cage? Not exactly, for this was a special soul.
Bald Eagles normally want nothing to do with humans and will go to great lengths to get away from them. This girl liked people; she wanted to see what you were doing, to follow where you were going, and to see whom you were going with. She was very curious.
About this time our director suggested that I try to glove train her. She had the right temperament; maybe she could do educational programs. Wouldn’t that be something? Very few eagles are able or willing to be handled, much less remain calm in front of large crowds. The work began.
I started getting her used to the glove, a little at a time. At first she was thinking, “OK, I’ll step on your hand but only with one foot.” Then, “OK, I’ll use both feet but only for a second.” Later, “Yeah you can take me part way out of my cage, then I’ll jump right back in.” And finally, “OK, I’ll let you walk around with me on your arm. Hey, this is fun!”
At this point, every day a volunteer would take this Bald Eagle out for a cruise around the clinic. It was time for her final test—jesses, the leather straps that attach to the ankles of birds-of-prey to give control to the handler and to protect the bird from injury or escape. I put the jesses on her—a piece of cake. It was as if she were born with them on. This was certainly a very mellow Bald Eagle.
Now it was almost time for her first program, but she needed a name. None that we could come up with seemed right, and then Paula, a volunteer, said, “Hey, what about Freedom?” That was it; that was her spirit and her spirit was why grandfather sent her to us. She was ready.
Freedom is now four years old and one of Sarvey Wildlife Center’s premier ambassadors. She clearly enjoys our programs and really knows how to turn on the charm. She is a star. Freedom has been on national television, on the front page of major newspapers, and is known across the country.
She is also one of the great loves of my life. She will touch her beak to the tip of my nose and stare into my eyes. At that moment our spirits are one.
I am the luckiest person on Earth.Thank you, Freedom. I have no idea why I felt such a connection to this particular eagle, I do not know.”
Now we all know why: Freedom is alive because Jeff fought for her life, and there is no doubt that Freedom sensed his love and commitment. Jeff gave Freedom the support she needed to want to live. When Jeff was later diagnosed with a serious illness requiring chemotherapy, he found himself turning to Freedom for support. Two or three times a week, whenever he felt well enough, he would drive from Bothell to Arlington to walk with Freedom around the grounds. Now it was Freedom’s turn to give Jeff a reason to fight for his life.
Only a short time ago Jeff was informed there was no trace of the disease left in his body. He immediately left for the Center.When he took Freedom out of her flight, she did something she had never done before: She extended her wings and wrapped them around him.The circle of healing was now complete.
Doesn’t this picture speak tomes?
Simon, I'm truly sorry for whatever hurt and pain you have suffered and continue to suffer. It's been my experience, throughout a very long life, that folks who love and care for animals have an equal love and compassion for their fellow humans.
The heart has an infinite capacity to love, and to love simultaneously in many directions. Love and compassion are self-expanding and perpetuating: the more genuine love a person gives, the more love is created. So, although we cherish, treasure, and love the creatures of this planet, that intense love doesn't diminish in any manner the cherishing, treasuring, and loving we feel and express for our fellow humans. Again, it's been my experience that love has an infinite capacity to expand itself, and does. It's also been my experience that folks who don't love and care for animals have a similar lack of affection for their fellow humans, and this is expressed in a lack of respect for others and for the sanctity of life in general. Wherever else you may not be accepted, you are accepted here on this blog, and your thoughts and ideas, while they may not be necessarily aligned with the thoughts and ideas of some, are nonetheless accepted and respected here. So you are not alone when you are here, and we do indeed send you our best in the hope that whatever the source of your hurt, it is lessened here.
cj in MU
I love your comment that "she is a much loved member…"
Here where I live we have several roosts put up for the local Osprey, which are protected here. all of us who live out where I am pass their nests everyday and in the spring we all get excited when they return because for us that is the true arrival of spring.
We watch them nest, raise their young, catch fish from the sound and then teach their young to fly. It is fascinating and fun.
You're most welcome! I'll look for the articles, too. It's been awhile, but they should be in the archives! The Wildlife Asso. initially thought the little flock may have begun with just a single pair and has grown to several, but they haven't been able to locate the origin. There are so many species of birds at the Alligator Farm, and there is a possibility, they said, that the "parent pair" may have started there and migrated a few miles south and decided they like it better. Strange story. Birds are fascinating critters, and their intelligence is mind-boggling.
There is a lone female peregrine falcon who "lives" near the 312 bridge here. She's been tagged by
Wildlfe and released back into freedom, and every afternoon she sits somewhere on the railing of that big bridge, just watching the world go by. She has a name, but I don't remember it. The entire city knows about her and she's a much loved member of our community.
cj
cj
Wow, Connie, that's amazing. Have never heard of eagles nesting in such place sin Florida. I'll look for the articles. Thanks for the clarification!
T & R, No, these particular nests are eagles, not ospreys. The Palm Coast and St. Augustine newspapers both carried stories and pictures of these beautiful birds. I personally thought they were falcons, but I was wrong, too. They are definitely eagles, identified by the FL Wildlife Asso. I'll try to locate the newspaper articles for you. The WildLife Association folks were pretty amazed to find a small flock of eagles in this area, but the Alligator Farm is nearby, and in winter a few of these eagles do fly-bys in there and occasionally roost, but don't stay. There are huge nests on the towers on the way to Jacksonville as well, but they aren't eagles. cj
Connie – those nests are osprey nests. On the way to the keys you see them too.
Nat – that's a powerful meditation symbol!
I'm with you 100%, Barbara.
An amazing and touching story.
There have been animal and human connections for centuries, each one bringing forth an amazing bond.
We are indeed all connected, despite what simple simon has to say. Everything on the planet is interconnected, and our thoughts convey what will manifest.
not expecting you to post but would like,,, truth is "simple simon" does think it d-tracts from recognizing the human condition,, not the caring for animals, but the over abundance of gush gush for the feather creatures,, I understand it has much to do with the rariety of the animal and therefore it should be protected in order to keep it's place in the eco system.. But I also feel it's a major deficency in the human condition that there is a large number of "people" who care much more about there "pets" then they do about fellow human beings wiether they are from the same ethnic background or not… Yes and it may because they see the animal as being not able to take of itself,,, but in the end….. I don't what can I say, if you knew my people and how bad they made me feel
Lucky Christopher, to have such wonderful dreams!
don't know why i didn't remember this earlier, but just now was reminded of my grandson christopher who, when he was about two years old forward, began to tell me about his dream of "flying with the eagles" – he did this for a number of years – dreamed of flying with the magnificent eagles – and today, at the age of 18, he remembers those dreams and speaks of them –
I wanted to mention here yesterday, and didn't have the opportunity, that at the tops of several of the satellite towers covering the countryside going soutn towards Daytona on U.S.1, there are nesting eagles. Their nests are large and can't be missed. Of course the species is protected, and there seems to be a significant flock of them nesting in that particular area, but on several different towers. We often see the birds themselves, and oh, what beautiful sights they are! This nesting on the towers speaks to me. I'm not sure what it is I feel. They're such majestic creatures, our symbols of freedom, and the towers represent many things, some negative, some positive. It just seems to me to be that the eagles are communicating to us…something….by building their nests and living at the very top of those communication towers.
Awe-inspiring and magical. cj
Huge lump in my throat..and then tears.. There are beautiful things in this world aren't they Trish?
Marlene
A touching post for sure….and right when I needed to know that humans can be beautiful. Thank you.
Also, every Tuesday night in meditation circle, I am shown an Eagle soaring above a rocky outcrop.I feel a special affinity to these majestic creatures. ♥
Connie, Vicki, great comments. We all need hope. That's what this story offers.
Simple Simon, this story in no manner dtracts from the human miseries that abound throughout the world. It just brings us hope moments of beauty that we all need, and allows us to feel a connection to all the inhabitants who share our planet, be they human or otherwise.
cj
Anonymous- Yes I agree that the world would be much better.
beatiful story,,,,, yeah well 1,000,000 starving in Africa,,, then India,,, human rights in China,,,, crack babies in American cities,,,(where's my welfare check, should be hand delivered.) didn't read to find the "snychros" sure there there,, but am thinking hmuanity has it's situation and yes should tune into nature(what's that great eye sight for, where's that RAT),, question though is IF ya's was hunger,,, well, where's Kernel Sanders,,,, but yes adorable creatures are one of the things that make it such an interesting place
DJan, didn't you write some posts about this fledgling? I'm sorry it didn't make it. But at least this eagle did. Glad you're enjoying the book!
Vicki – our dog does that sometimes!
Vicki,wouldn't we have such a complstely different world if humans could learn to love and trust each other as unconditionally as our animals love and trust us? It would truly be Paradise.
cj
There was a great deal of healing in this story for me, because I am still grieving for the fledgling eaglet that I followed through hatching to her death at 11 weeks. I cried for days (and nights). This story extended such joy into my heart.
Plus I'm busy reading your book, and enjoying it immensely.
This book is now on my must buy list!
I love this story. The picture is interesting because the little cat we rescued a year ago, Benjamin, tucks his head under my chin too.
It is so special to have the trust and love of an animal, it is so pure.
Okay – crying now..
What a beautiful story. Thanks so much for sharing it today. It was just what I needed to read.
A beautiful, sweet story! I am crying.
I know I've posted this before, but I think it bears repeating here, from the King James Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 10, Verse 20: " FOR A BIRD OF THE AIR SHALL CARRY THE VOICE, AND THAT WHICH HATH WINGS SHALL TELL THE MATTER".
cj WV: "examuul" example??
just incredibly beautiful! totally! a great post – and a lesson for us all – of love and caring and relationships with all creatures – beautiful!
oh, and the wv= scion
interestingly the logo for the toyota vehicle "scion" reminds me of a bird's open wings – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Scion_svg.svg
Not tears, but sobs. This story touches Home. I wish I could enlarge the photo and put it on my wall. Thank you is not enough.
cj WV: "bital"
Wonderful, wonderful story.
I'm with you, Shadow. It's a stunning story.
…this brought tears of joy to my eyes.