The pet I’ll never forget: Penny, the pigeon who never left my side

A few years ago I was sitting in a pub beer garden when a scruffy little pigeon landed on the bench. After a while she edged closer and before I knew it she’d hopped into my lap. A waitress said the bird had wandered inside and been kicked by customers; she looked young and stayed by me for three hours, then I drove home with her on my shoulder.

My mum had a cat carrier ready; we bought bird seed and used a hot water bottle, thinking if she didn’t make it at least she’d have a warm last night. By morning she seemed brighter. A bath revealed injuries on her chest from being kicked. I documented everything on my phone, compiled the footage and put it online asking for advice — the video went viral and the internet chose her name by public vote: Penny.

I tried to release her every day, but she would circle the garden and fly back to my shoulder. Attempts to introduce her to other pigeons failed: she had clearly imprinted on me.

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