Friday Ramble - Not

Yesterday was one of those days one wishes had never happened.

We went off to the veterinarian at first light - Spencer was to get his first ever test for Lyme disease. The ailment has never been a problem this far north, but thanks to global warming it is moving into the area, and Dr. Sue is testing for Lyme disease this year.  We are always happy to do anything to keep our little guy healthy and happy. 

On our return home, there was silence in the front yard, no happy chirping or fluttering.  Someone had stolen the eggs from the nest in the wreath on the front door, and the finch parents were nowhere to be seen.  I say "someone" rather than something because it is fairly clear that the culprit was human.   There were no bits of eggshell laying anywhere and no feathers to indicate a tussle.  The nest was intact, not a twig out of place, and the wreath was hanging perfectly straight on the door.  What this bodes for the rest of the summer we cannot say.  In years past, there have always been three finch nestings in the old wreath, but we would not take issue with the local finches if they chose to nest somewhere else in the future.  When I thought of how distraught those dear rosy little birds must have been yesterday, I felt sick.

Late in the afternoon, Dr. Sue called to say that Spencer had tested positive for Lyme disease.  Our little guy will require another test, and it will be carried out first thing on Saturday morning.  I know little or nothing about Lyme disease, but Dr. Sue thinks it likely that Spencer encountered the infesting tick before he came to us.  Rest assured that all possible measures will be taken, but we so wish our wee boy was not going through this.

Will keep you all posted on how things go, but a sad old heart this morning...