patelyne

Finally got an update on Captain Jack Hawkness Because that is his name damn it!

Hi Patti,

Gimli, the name the interns gave "your" bird has made great progress. We hit a little bump in the road this past week. He didn't want to eat, and then vomited a meal. We just gave oral fluids for two days, and now have given him 2 small meals each day for the past two days and he has kept everything down. He is very alert on his perch and has gained a lot of weight. The main problem right now is that he will not eat on his own, but has to be force fed. I spoke with a friend at Cascade Raptor Center who successfully treated a hawk for WNV 5 years ago. It took 7 months and they also had trouble getting him to eat. I'm trying to figure out how we can monitor the level of virus in his blood. It would not be ethical to release him if he could still pass the virus (via mosquitoes) to other birds. One step at a time, however.

Thanks for your note. Lynn

Quick Comment - Gimli? Gimli?! No wonder he's distraught! Not only are you calling him the wrong name, you even switched fandoms on the poor guy. Sheesh.

At least things seem to be moving forward, even if it is ever so slowly. I'm half tempted to write her back and tell her they really messed up his name. That seems rude though. Especially since I'm fairly certain she was virtually finger quoting at me with the "your" bird bit.