The Last Joe Story?

So...

Sunday, February 6th was a pretty day and since Allan and I were home and working outside I decided to turn Joe out.  I was watching him to see what he'd do and Trinity was hanging out with me.  Joe was hopping in and out of his pen picking up stuff he liked and putting it in his cage.  

Trinity (my wonderful German Shepherd) decided to inspect him closer and walked over to him.  When he saw her coming, he started toward her. Well, that freaked her out and she turned tail and tried to saunter off casually - but he started hopping faster toward her. She started running, and he decided to chase her (hop-hop-hop).  It was funny.  My big Shepherd is running, looking back over her shoulder, being chased by a little crow!

Anyway, Joe hooked up with two other crows.  He came back for dinner (and brought company) Monday nite and ate all the food I put out for him.  I put some Vienna sausages in there Tuesday (one of his favorites), but he didn't come back.  Allan saw him a couple of times between Monday and Tuesday, but I haven't seen him since Sunday.  It's driving me crazy.  I'm having Empty Nest Syndrome or something.  Allan says Joe comes by in the late morning and hangs out at the house with his crow buddies almost all day.  I asked how he knew it was Joe (he has one white wing feather) and he said because when he calls to Joe, Joe starts coming toward him and the other two crows fly away.  

When I get home it's about 30 minutes before dark.  I can't stay inside the house.  I'm out scanning the treetops, straining my ears (listening for him) until it's dark outside.  If I could just see him with his friends, I'd be fine.  It's the only way Joe can survive on his own - to be adopted by other crows so they can show him what to be afraid of.  Crows are very social birds and juveniles often stay with their parents, helping raise new babies, for three years or more before mating.  It's what I wanted for him.  Since they can live 30 years or more, I figured his years would be better spent doing what he was meant to do.  I didn't mind taking care of him at all - in fact, I really enjoyed it. It's just that part of me hurts to see a wild animal (especially a smart one) kept in captivity for its entire life.  Like at the zoo.  It's what I wanted for Joe, so why am I so sad?