Returning home from a holiday can be very stressful. Especially when you have been away from your animals for a week. You dread to think in what mental and physical state they will be in. Thoughts that run through your mind: “Have they missed us? Did they like the pet sitters? Have they lost weight? Did they eat properly?”
The only way to have peace of mind is to find someone who you can trust and rely on to care for your animals as you would. We found two pet sitters to care for Elmo, Georgie and Hugo while we were away. I find that our animals fare better (e.g. less stressed and eat well) if they stay at home and have someone visit instead of putting them in a cattery and cage elsewhere. This way they are in familiar surroundings with only a “stranger” visiting, instead of being in an unfamiliar place where they may be worried all the time.
I still worry, though, which is natural, since I am far away from my dear animals. When we returned home yesterday Hugo cat was visibly glad to see us. He started drooling profusely, which he only does when he’s very happy. Elmo danced about and cooed his little head off, while Georgie girl was a bit more reserved. Only after I had sung to her did she realise it was me (her “mate”) and replied in kind (Georgie’s favourite song that I hum to her is Mmm mmm mmm by the Crash Test Dummies, I kid you not).
Hugo gives us THAT look.
After the initial show of delight and excitement at our return, our animals settled back into their normal routine. Elmo headed to Hugo’s water bowl and promptly had a bath (much to Hugo’s disgust), Georgie plonked herself next to me on the sofa for a snooze, and Hugo meowed at the back door to be let out to eat some grass and sniff where the neighbour’s cats had been. It was as if we had never been away. 
Georgie pigeon relaxed by my side.
I’m delighted to say that despite our animals having missed us they were in good condition and spirits when we returned, so I know they had been cared for properly. Having such unusual pets as pigeons made looking for a pet sitter interesting – as some people are not comfortable with birds, what to speak about pigeons! But once they meet my pigeons, their misconceptions or misgivings are usually won over by our characterful birds. Elmo is such a clown that he makes most people smile with his greeting song and dance, and Georgie is so pretty and delicate that all can admire. … Not that I’m biased at all with this opinion. 
Elmo after a bath.
Elmo having a bath.
When my husband and I were in Tampere, Finland, visiting my family we saw a newly wed pigeon couple at an underground car park. The lighting was bad so I wasn’t able to get a good photo, and I didn’t want to disturb them too much with my flashing lights (like a paparazzo!), but I watched the male pigeon call his mate up to where he thought was a suitable spot to nest: in the wiring that ran along the ceiling of the car park. He cooed and cooed with determination and I thought, “His mate will reject that spot for sure,” since the ceiling was low and the wiring not very solid. Later that day when we returned I saw the female sitting in the wiring and the male pigeon flew over to her with a stick in his beak. It seemed that the place had been approved and the nest building was in full swing.
Feral pigeon settling into her new nest.
The male pigeon flies away to gather more nesting material.
At another underground car park I heard the unmistakable squeaks of baby pigeons and found a nest with two little babies begging for food from one of their parents. The other parent was sitting a few meters away on a post (its chest a bit wet from a recent feeding). As soon as they noticed me looking they went quiet to show me their disapproval of my intrusion, so I left them in peace. Oh how I would have loved to have stayed to watch the family for that day!
I’m so pleased you have been able to find pigeon sitters! We haven’t had much luck – it’s not easy finding someone who will stay here so they can walk the dog (who wakes up with the sun) three times a day and pander to the needs of our pigeon, who gets stressed when her mate (I thought he was my mate, but clearly I am totally wrong!) goes to work in the mornings. As she had a tendency to fall over and cannot get up, she is a vulnerable little lady and needs someone to visit frequently. The perfect person will turn up, I’m sure, but until then holidays are on hold!
I am blessed to still have my grown son living nearby who grew up in our household full of critters and knows how much a part of the family these little characters are. He willingly comes over to tend to our current residents when we go off, although I do admit to taking very short holidays deliberately so as to not miss them too much, never mind them missing me! I dread the day when/if he moves farther away. Perhaps I better start interviewing now for a replacement 1dove/2cockatiels/2gerbils/2goldfish sitter?
Hi Fiona, we have been lucky to have two ladies that can visit to feed, clean, and socialise with our animals. They both are patient with Elmo and Georgie’s moods and behaviours. It took a few visits from different pet sitters before I found the ones who I felt actually found our pigeons interesting.
Hi Cara Louise, you are lucky to have someone so trusted to pet sit. It is always better to have a family member who understands exactly the needs of your animals. I hope your son stays nearby for you and your animals sake.
I am the same: I only dare to take short holidays – and even a week seems too long sometimes.
I love your pigeons! I fully agree with you guys that pigeons are the most lovable birds, they show affection and are very dedicated to their mates.
Here is a video of pepper. She loves to be scratched.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozBcZiATAHg
Hi Chris, thank you for sharing the video of your gorgeous pigeon, Pepper. As you have probably discovered already, having a pet pigeon is addictive and fills you with lots of wonder and enjoyment.
Revati, I think i must’ve read most of your entire website that you and Richard post about pigeons, I’ve learnt so much from you two. And yes, pigeons are addictive, I would love to get one more but pepper is imprinted on me and probably wouldn’t care to have a buddy.
I hope your holidays went well. I also hope that the Finnish pigeons are safe. Unfortunately, not everyone likes pigeons. I like them and they somehow always find me. Unfortunately, the neighbors do not always look good when in the vicinity will be a larger group of pigeons. Even in Tampere. For this reason I had to leave Tampere. For some period of time my windowsill looked like on video. Sometimes it seems that pigeons have a Facebook (Pigebook), where inform where is the food.
http://youtu.be/gBaYkY-Oq2Y
Hello Zdzislaw, we had a good holiday, thank you. It is always a shame when there is conflict about pigeons, but we can only do our best to help people open their mind to see how lovely pigeons are. Thanks for sharing the video, those were some beautiful pigeons who knew you were the right person to come to!