Appreciation Post: the Birds Around Us

A picture on social media that my friend shared was a man who had lots of wild birds (probably most were maya) on his shoulders and all around him. And this was not an ordinary province post. In fact, this was in Makati CBD.

I was envious to the point that I wondered could I ever be that friendly to birds? I’ve never have any birds. But, to win their trust… This was a long time ago, pre-pandemic actually.

Come pandemic time sometime in July of 2020, I transferred to our provincial home. There wasn’t that many birds (probably because we were living near the town plaza) but there were a few.

In fact, when I changed rooms with my brother in 2021, I noticed that there were a lot of bird poop near his window. So, I’ve done what no one in the house thought I would do and I gave them biscuits, near their poop. Smashed up pieces of biscuits. Which, I have to say they seemed to like. 💗

There was also a time when my parents left for Manila, so we needed to divide the house chores in the province some more. I did what my dad usually did and watered plants, and wouldn’t you know it, there were some bird nests in a couple of them.

I was taken by surprise when I was checking on one of these nests when a bird suddenly flew out of the potted plant. That was when I decided to join a bird watching group in Facebook. And, most importantly, learned that birds should never be touched, they are there for our admiration.

As I transitioned to city life once more, I couldn’t help but admire the tree on our neighbor’s yard. It is where I saw most of the birds. I wanted to share some of my biscuits. But, I backed down as on the roof just below my window was where the cats often use as an easement.

Still, even with the cats, there were still a lot of birds on my window. There was one who was dancing or prancing gracefully through the wire that established our human boundaries. (That’s my favorite, it’s not a maya though don’t know what it is). There were a couple that would wait out in another’s neighbor roof as it rained. And then, there also some who served as an alarm clock (I think it’s seasonal).

One time, I asked one of my friends what would happen if I didn’t have anything. She said, a Bible verse. Matthew 6:25-27: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life.”

And I thank the Lord our God for creating and taking care of these beautiful creatures that remind me that not only is He with me but also, to take joy in the smallest things in life.

Buster Bwisit; Buster Baby

Only his mother seemed to think that he was special. Everyone else the puppy had annoyed or driven mad to shrills that can triumph over the sound of Manila City. That is why he was named Buster.

Born in the province, he was a little shy of three months when he moved in the city with his mom, siblings, and human granny.

If I had been given the chance to pick who it is I would have adopted, I would have adopted the black faced pup who had been named Bane. He had been friendlier to humans, always wagging his tail whenever I would pass by their cot. It was as if he wanted me to pick him up and tub his belly. But, I knew that my sister wanted me to keep Buster, because he was (at that time) his mom’s fave. So, instead of playing with Bane, I picked up Buster and gave him a belly rub. Something that he would like for a few seconds, and then run off somewhere else.

Honestly, that made me think I’m not made for mothering.

As the litter of five slowly dwindled to two (his 3 sibs had gotten new homes, even Bane), it was more that Buster and his sister Cuddy became more of a handful. But it would always be Buster who would start something.

He would be the one to get a slipper or two and chew on it, making his sister think that it was alright to do so. They had ruined a lot of slippers and sandals. Don’t ask me how many, because I don’t want to remember.

Plus, it’s not as if we didn’t give him his share of dentastix.

As if footwear and treats weren’t enough, he would also gnaw on the different furnitures, leaving pieces of wood scattered all around the first floor. Apart from that, he’d also nibble the on whatever it is at the trashcan. His favorite? The tissue from the bathroom’s bin.

Mind you, it’s not only the dirty ones, he would grind his teeth on the clean ones! They had a separate paper towel which we used for cleaning poop or pee, and it was placed on a table. Somehow, he managed to snatch that and crunched on the entire roll. The entire living room floor was filled with bits of white paper. I would never forget the way his mother had barked angrily, as if she was scolding them (yes, his sister was with him).

Now even his mom doesn’t pay him enough attention. She seldomly plays with him and she isn’t as sweet as before. (For me, this is just right for a growing boy whose mom will soon leave but hopefully still visit from time to time).

Yet, it is he who has showed that we are meant to be. It’s not only his good ways, such as not going up the stairs (he’s the only one because, he’s afraid of the steep steps), going outside to pee, and being the first one to come inside the house after a moment of street play.

He has showed that he is smart, from knowing his names and being still as I treat a wound. His sweetness somehow complements me. If I’m the only human at home, he always wants to make sure that he has eyes on me, even following me to the bathroom whenever I would pee or take a bath. It made me feel that he wanted me safe.

I called it ostrich, whenever he would hide his head somewhere under the bed, under the table or at the back of the full length mirror. In fact he has his hiding spots, not just when we’re mad at him but also because he wants to be alone for a time.

Touch isn’t his main love language, which is something similar to mine. In fact, he doesn’t even liked to be carried just for the sake of being carried (unlike his sister and mom). Somehow, it’s something I need as I had broken a mug or glass when I had a focal.

Even all the trouble (from licking strangers to breaking stuff), I consider myself lucky to have had Buster as my adopted pup.

I adopted a puppy just because, but now Buster is showing me day by day (even with all his antics) that he is what I need. More than a companion, a pup I can call my own. Someone who will be there when I need him to be but also have his alone time whenever he feels that I’m busy with things. I may not have listed all the reasons why, but to me he is special. The same way his mother thought so.

Song Translation: Akin Ka Na Lang by Morisette

 I'm not a fan of the singer, however this song is one of the top voice coach reaction videos. As I was watching one of those reaction videos, there was a blogger who took it to Google Translate, and it unfortunately got lost in translation.

Please Be Mine

Why can't you feel 
that to me you are important. 

To you, I am only a friend.

But, why can't I accept that?

Will you ever love me?

That's my prayer, but I am also begging.

Please be mine, be mine.

That is what I pray for everyday.

Please be mine, be mine.

And I will wait until this will come true, my love. 

It's only in my dreams where I can embrace you.

Will you ever love me?

That's my prayer, but I also implore.

Please be mine, be mine.

Everyday, that is what I pray.

Please be mine, be mine.

And I will wait until this comes true, my love.

But will you ever love me?

I pray but I am also begging.

Please be mine, my love.

Please be mine,

my everyday prayers,

Please be mine,

I will wait until this will come true, my love.