Dear Eagles,

I know you are just birds and it would be anthropomorphic to assign human emotions to your instinctual behaviour. That being said, I woud like to thank you for sharing your lives with the world for the past several weeks. Imagine that, two birds, more popular than anything, anyone, ever, in history, except for the Pope. Everything you did, every action you took, was so caring and touching and loving and I was proud to be one of the millions of people who came to think of you as family. I had such high hopes for your potential offspring. I looked forward to watching the tiny babies grow into beautiful young birds- to seeing them fledge and leave the nest, perhaps to get a glimpse of them when they returned. I wish it had worked out that way.I spent hours upon hour participating vicariously in your private lives- neglecting work, missing sleep, rushing to check in first thing in the morning for any bit of news, staying awake far too late, just because I couldn't say goodnight.

I have two birds that live with me, two tiny pigeons, hardly what you would call distant relatives of yours, but so similar that every single thing you did was already familiar to me because of my own birds. As much as you are different, you are more the same. It comforts me to know that you don't feel emotion like we humans. It would break my heart if you did. If only we could all experience such a calm, loyal, caring relationship...I don't know what happens to older birds, those whose reproductive days are over. Pigeons- hey, in the wild, they are lucky to make it to two years of age. As a beloved pet, they may live to 25. Who's to say which life is more desireable? Is it better to live free, but exposed to the cruel whims of Mother Nature, "red of tooth and claw," or to live ten times as long as a pampered, but never free, pet? You're at the top of the food chain, so I guess I know how you'd vote. My little guys- I think they're happy- I hope they are. When I hug my birds tonight, please know, if I could, I'd be giving you a hug, too.

Love,

Nanci