Owl’s deep affection for the man who had saved her was evident in her constant, heartfelt embraces. “Watching him with these birds,” she remarked, “brings tears to my eyes.
GiGi, a magnificent great horned owl, found herself in complete solitude until she encountered the man who would forever hold a special place in her heart.
GiGi’s journey began in late May when she was brought to Mississippi’s Wild at Heart Rescue, a sanctuary for injured wildlife. Her arrival was marked by the aftermath of significant head trauma, likely the result of a car collision. Her condition was dire, featuring a severe concussion, a body teeming with parasites, and a troubling ailment known as aspergillosis, akin to pneumonia in humans. Missy Dubuisson, the dedicated founder and director of Wild at Heart, shared these grim details.
The toll on GiGi’s health was evident, with her shedding a whole pound during her treatment, a substantial loss considering that great horned owls typically weigh between 2 to 5 pounds.
Missy Dubuisson, reflecting on GiGi’s condition, stated, “This bird was one of the most critical we have ever taken care of. The fact that this bird has survived is truly extraordinary.”
In the dedicated hands of Douglas “Doug” Pojeky, the president of the rescue and fondly referred to as the “birds of prey whisperer,” GiGi had the best chance of regaining her health.
Reflecting on the remarkable bond between Doug Pojeky and the magnificent birds of prey, Missy Dubuisson remarked, “In all my years of working with birds of prey, I have never witnessed someone with such a profound connection to these majestic creatures.”
Under Pojeky’s attentive care, GiGi made an astonishing transformation, progressing from a state of near-fatality to a point where she could confidently perch once again. Additionally, she transitioned from needing to be hand-fed to independently securing her sustenance. GiGi’s trust in and affection for Pojeky were undeniable, and she expressed her deep gratitude in a most unexpected and remarkable manner.
Pojeky had taken a trip to Michigan to visit his family, leaving GiGi without his comforting presence for some time. Upon his return, he conducted a thorough examination of GiGi. To everyone’s amazement, the moment he began the examination, GiGi reacted by playfully bobbing her head and gracefully dancing on his arm. She then moved in closer, taking slow steps toward his chest, gently resting her head on his shoulder, and extending her wings around him in what could only be described as a warm and affectionate owl hug. Their bond was truly extraordinary.
The look of pure content on her face just before she embraced Pojeky showed just how happy she was to be reunited with her favorite human.
Pojeky told The Dodo that being hugged by GiGi held a particularly special importance to him. Growing up, a great horned owl used to perch on the top of Pojeky’s family barn. While Pojeky’s father often saw the owl, Pojeky and the rest of his family rarely did. However, on the morning of his father’s death, the owl was spotted overlooking the farm house, where Pojeky’s father had passed away, before flying off into the woods.
“For some reason when that bird was hugging me, all I could think of was my dad,” Pojeky said.
Once GiGi makes a full recovery, she’ll be released back into the wild. But in the meantime, she has Pojeky to lean on.
“It literally brings tears to my eyes to watch him interact with these birds,” Dubuisson said. “They absolutely know him and trust him. It’s the trust that you see in her face.”