EASTER THE BUDGIE

Easter Sunday was a bright, warm day in Toronto. Cathy and I had driven in from Belleville after Easter services. We were walking south on Sherbourne Street -- along with Cathy's brother Luke and Ruby the dog. Just south of Wellesley Cathy pointed to a spot of green on the far side of the roadway. "What is that? I think I saw it move." The small, green fluttering object was positioned on the outer edge of the bike lane in danger of being squashed under the wheels of an SUV.

Cathy, donning her pet rescue cape, flew across the highway to scoop up what we now saw as a budgie on the loose. Cathy has a history of saving small animals on holy days. Most memorable was Christmas Eve 2007 when she heard whimpering coming from beneath her parked car. It was 30 degree below zero weather up in Massey. Her breath rose in clouds above her head as she went down on her hands and knees to peer under the car. She recognized that the small, shaking bundle was a puppy. The puppy found a home with a loving family that night. That was a suitable Christmas miracle.

Back to the budgie. The forces of good in the person of Cathy and Luke have posted a lost budgie notice on Craig's List, purchased a cage, bird food and toys and visited the local bird veterinarian -- all in a day and a half. "Easter" the budgie is now chirping happily in an apartment above Sherbourne Street. He is warm and protected and socializing nicely with the inhabitants of the apartment. Ruby the dog has made no comment on the matter.

This is Cathy's "Easter" miracle for 2011.