How I Became a Dove Mom: The Story of Edwin & Myrtle

by Pati De Fazio
(Vista California, USA)

The Dove Who Came Home: The Incredible Story of Edwin & Myrtle

Two years ago, a pair of mourning doves chose an unusual nesting spot—right in the hanging plant outside my front door.

They built their nest, laid two eggs, and before long, their little ones hatched and took flight.




Not long after, the doves returned to raise another brood.

The father stayed with them during the day, the mother at night—until one night, she didn't come back.

Being the worrywart that I am, I couldn't bear the thought of the hatchlings getting cold, so I crocheted a tiny blanket and placed it over them.

The next morning, I found them still snug in their makeshift nest, with their devoted father watching over them.

For three days, he stayed, caring for his babies.

Then, on the third day, as I sat outside, he did something remarkable—he flew right up to me, looked at me with his one eye (because, as we know, doves never look straight at you), and in that silent moment, I understood: this would be the last time he came.

He was entrusting me with his young.

Raising Edwin & Myrtle

The next morning, he was gone. That's when I turned to the internet, desperate to learn how to care for baby doves.




I placed the hatchlings in a shoebox lined with shredded paper, went to the local feed store, and bought squab formula.

Every four hours, I fed them—though, let me tell you, hand-feeding tiny baby doves is no easy job.

Before long, they were covered in dried squab feed, hardened like concrete on their tiny heads.

I worried. Would the other doves accept them? Would they be left out of all the “dove games”?

But Edwin and Myrtle, did I mention their names yet?

Well, Edwin and Myrtle had something better than a flock—they had a four-bedroom house, complete with a 130-pound white German Shepherd named Oden as their companion.

Edwin’s Wild Spirit and Unbreakable Bond

After two weeks of feeding, they started to test their wings.




Then, the day came—Edwin flew away. He was ready. I hoped he would come back.

And he did.

Over the next two years, Edwin returned again and again. He had three sets of babies, all born in the same hanging planter where he was raised.

Unlike Myrtle, who remained completely wild, Edwin still considered my home his. He'd come inside, perch in my bedroom, and spend the night if he chose to.

He wouldn't let me touch him, but he got as close as he could—his own way of showing trust. He even scolded me when I stayed up too late.

The most surprising part? Edwin adored Oden, my German Shepherd. He snuggled up with him, completely fearless.

Surviving the Wild

As time went on, Edwin continued his wild dove life, but he always found his way back to me. Then, things changed.

The hawks had discovered my little dove sanctuary. One by one, doves disappeared.

Then, one morning, I saw Edwin—injured, barely able to fly. He had one tail feather left and only half the feathers on one wing.

I didn't see him fly in, and I didn't see him leave. He was just… there.

For two weeks, he stayed close, too afraid to go outside. He had witnessed a hawk swoop down and take one of his own.

I think he knew how close he had come to being next.

But slowly, his feathers regrew. His confidence returned.

And one day, he flew away again.

A Home to Return To

Years have passed, and Edwin still comes back.

Every morning, when the doves gather at my feeder, I know he's among them.




While the others keep their distance, Edwin comes right up to my door. He isn't afraid of Oden. He never was.

Nature is unpredictable. I don't know how long Edwin will keep returning, but I take comfort in knowing I gave him a safe place—a second chance.

To anyone who finds a helpless bird and wonders if they should help, don't hesitate. The journey is more rewarding than you can imagine.

Because sometimes, the birds we save never really leave us.
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