Janine’s partner Steve was taking their Whippet, Boo, for a walk in the field one day when their dog stumbled upon a “bony ball of feathers.” That ball ended up being a magpie, and Steve brought him home.
Janine nursed him to health, but the couple was afraid that their dog, Boo, would be a danger to the bird. However, the magpie, who they named Mike, seemed to have the upper hand from the start.
The bird would fly all around Janine and Steve’s home until he got older, and Janine wondered if Mike wanted more space. She opened the door to go for a walk in her yard, and Mike followed. When she went back inside, he came, too.
But then Mike grew more adventurous. He started flying to the pub. He’d land on the patron’s glasses, which is his favorite thing to do at home. The pub-goers found it a bit frightening, so Janine had to develop a better solution.
Janine had an aviary built, connected to her home, so the magpie would have lots of room to fly around. Mike also takes at least one bath a day, which is a very messy affair as he splashes water all over while bathing.
Janine consulted some experts on her experiences with Mike. They agreed that the magpie imprinted on her, her partner, and Boo. They are now Mike’s family.
To Janine, he is her baby. He’s a joy and a wonder. Every day, she feels grateful that this wild bird decided to live in their home.
If you liked this, share it with a friend.
