Have you ever heard of a bird that can’t fly? When you think about it, that’s like one of life’s greatest paradoxes – having wings and being unable to use them.
Such cruel fate befell Herman, a sweet pigeon from Rochester, New York, who lost the one ability that sets birds off from the rest of the animals due to an awful virus.
However, thanks to his lovely human friend, Sue, Herman managed to find his life purpose, and get this – it involves puppies!
Herman’s Origin Story
Herman’s story, like so many we share here on Animalko, began with hardship and struggle.
A group of people spotted him in a parking lot in Rochester, New York, sitting in the same spot for days.
They noticed he was never flying, only walking around with a weird head tilt, and was visibly starving.
Concerned for his well-being, they contacted Sue Rogers, a passionate animal rescuer and founder of The Mia Foundation, an animal rescue organization dedicated to helping animals born with birth defects.
Being an animal lover, Sue agreed to take Herman in and determine the cause of his inability to fly.
Sue suspected the main culprit for Herman’s inability to fly was PMV, a vicious virus also known as avian paramyxovirus type 1.
Common symptoms of PMV include lethargy, neck twisting, head flicking, labored breathing, and more – many of which Sue had noticed in Herman
She and her husband agreed to help Herman get better with tube-feeding and rolling-over practices, everything in order to eventually set him free.
In time, Herman regained his strength, but he unfortunately never regained his ability to fly.
Sue contacted many animal shelters but nobody wanted to take Herman in.
A couple of them advised Sue to consider euthanization since a bird who couldn’t fly was an unworthy animal in their eyes. But Sue couldn’t let that happen.
Knowing her new feathery friend wasn’t suitable for being released into the great outdoors, Sue made a big but noble decision: She decided to adopt Herman herself!
A Whole New Purpose
With her expertise in nurturing animals with special needs, Sue knew exactly how to help her pigeon friend thrive.
So there was never a doubt that in Sue’s loving home, Herman would find the comfort and care he had always longed for.
But with the joy of finding a forever home came a responsibility that Herman eagerly embraced.
As the owner of The Mia Foundation, a unique animal rescue in Rochester, New York, Sue often fostered puppies born with congenital defects.
Her routine involved welcoming these newborn pups, nurturing them until they were ready for their forever homes, and then opening her heart and home to the next batch in need.
Remarkably, Herman felt a deep calling to assist his mom in caring for these vulnerable pups, stepping up to offer a helping wing.
From the very beginning, snuggling with the tiny, adorable pups became Herman’s favorite pastime.
In one interview, Sue talked about Herman’s heartwarming dedication, saying:
“The Mia Foundation gets a lot of newborn puppies. He loves the little newborns. I started introducing new puppies to him and it was always the same reaction. He always just wanted to snuggle with them. He even tries preening them.”
It was as if Herman felt an obligation to share the love he received from Sue with the puppies that arrived at The Mia Foundation, spreading warmth and comfort to the newest members of their family.
Having wings but being unable to fly is a real bummer, but Sue always tries to make Herman’s life meaningful with simple, everyday activities.
During summer, when the weather improves, she loves taking him outside to walk on the soft grass and bask in the warmth of the sun.
It might be a small gesture, but I’m sure it means the world to Herman!
When asked about her views on pigeons, Sue says:
“Pigeons really get a bad rap. I’m amazed at their intelligence, how cuddly and sweet they are. I really, really love them.”
I’m so grateful I stumbled upon Herman whose story truly inspired me.
It not only changed my perspective on pigeons (of which I wasn’t exactly a fan) but also reminded me that my perceived flaws and shortcomings should never prevent me from finding my purpose and reaching my full potential.
Often, we don’t need wings to fly – just dreams and determination, and of course, someone to support us along the way.