Bill and Juanita, owners of Allenspark Lodge B&B, are living their dream...

running a successful business and riding as often as possible.



Monday, March 21, 2016

A Hard Good-Bye

We had to say a hard good-bye to a very old friend/worker this morning.  We lost Phoenix, our white dove, during the night.  It was not totally unexpected; she had not been feeling well the last few days, but would perk up if I petted her or talked to her.  You could tell she was being stoic about it, as all wild animals are.  She was an 'elderly' bird, having given us lots of joy over the last 16 1/2 years.

We 'adopted' her, of sorts, in August of 1999, when some butterfly researchers in RMNP brought her into town, saying she would not have lasted the night in the forest, as she was obviously a domestic dove.  We always assumed she had been released for a wedding ceremony taking place there or some such thing, and had ignored the handler when they tried to pick up the released doves.  She came to us highly trained, but we opted to let her go with her preferred behavior and stay in her palace as we called her large cage.
Phoenix' Palace
Phoenix would entertain anyone who took the time to chat with her, cooing non-stop early morning and evenings.  It was a pleasant sound that echoed through the lower level of the lodge.  She even tried to mimic sounds, like the squeaky printer I used to have, or a combination of laughs when guests would get excited about something,

She gave mightily to the business, never shirking her duty as door greeter, and she will be dearly missed.  Rest in peace, our beloved Phoenix.  You certainly earned your keep!

Bionic Cowgirl

5 comments:

  1. Oh, my heart is heavy. Rest in peace, Phoenix. I just saw her and of course, she was very talkative, catching up on events. I'm very sad for you and Bill. Hugs.

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  2. She was beautiful. She was fortunate to have you take her in. RIP little one

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  3. She lived a charmed, loved life. RIP Phoenix.

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  4. Wow, what a beautiful spirit. She lived a long time with you, and how fun it must have been to have a dove to love. Sorry for your loss.

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  5. Thank you to all. It makes me happy to think Phoenix should be cooing away with all the others in the little birdie rainbow in the sky. I forgot to mention she had laid 448 eggs for us over her lifetime! We do miss her cheerful voice.
    Bionic Cowgirl

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