Starvin' Marvin

I know that I already talked a bit about the baby blue jay I attempted to save over the summer (in my post about adopting Harvey), but I'd like to give Starvin' Marvin an entry of his own. It might sound crazy to some, but I still think about that little bird almost every day.

I found him in my front yard, beneath the magnolia tree. At first, I thought he was a leaf. Admittedly, I sort of hoped he was a leaf. I mean, baby birds are a lot of work and I wasn't looking for a lot of work in the middle of the summer. Marvin's parents didn't attend to him, though. I put him under a hosta beneath the tree, set up my little camera, and monitored the footage to see if his mom and dad were swooping down to periodically feed him.

They weren't.

I did a lot of research online and learned that baby blue jays can eat moist dog food, soaked raisins, and mealworms. I had all of these things on hand and created a delightful smorgasbord for Marvin. Because he required feedings every twenty minutes, and because he was always squawking when I went outside to care for him, I named him Starvin' Marvin.

We had two and a half really good days together. I'd hold him and talk to him and tuck him in at night. He was so smart; he used to stick his little bum over the edge of the makeshift nest I'd made for him, pooping into the garden instead of inside his home. As he got stronger, I imagined him coming back for visits when he was much older. Maybe he'd flutter down to perch on the front stoop, tapping his beak against the door to get my attention. Or maybe he'd sit on a branch of the magnolia tree and squawk about his day. Blue jays love peanuts and I thought that when he got bigger, he might like to eat peanuts out of my hand.

Alas, Marvin didn't make it and I do blame myself. I didn't have him secure enough, I suppose, and something got him. I imagine it was a neighborhood cat, but I could be wrong. Whatever it was, it returned the next night in the hopes of finding a second meal; there was evidence of a search.

I was incredibly upset. I had to drive my mom to a doctor's appointment the morning that Marvin went missing and I fought tears the whole way to Hanover and then the whole way home. I cried that afternoon and I cried some more that evening. I remember thinking, I'll feel better tomorrow. "Things are always better in the morning." Just ask Atticus Finch.

The problem was, I was still really missing Marvin the next morning... which is why I visited the SPCA's website and discovered three long-haired male kittens that were up for adoption. I went to meet the two who were striped with white paws; I came home with the little guy who was white with brown patches. Harvey chose me, and I am so glad he did!

He was snuggling with me last night, purring and holding my hand in his paws, licking my fingers and just generally being a perfect wonder. And I thought to myself, If there's one good thing that came out of Marvin's death, it's this guy. Because I love that little kitten more than seems humanly possible. ❤️