When Gigi the great horned owl saw Doug Pojeky again, the large bird totally enveloped his body in a giant hug.
You see, Doug saved Gigi after she was left to die. The owl was suspected to have been hit by a car and was suffering from significant head trauma, parasites, and aspergillosis (similar to pneumonia in humans.) She arrived at Mississippi's Wild at Heart Rescue and was treated for her injuries.
"This bird was one of the most critical we have ever taken care of," Missy Dubuisson, of Wild at Heart, said. "The fact that this bird has lived is beyond comprehension."
Gigi was going down a scary road, essentially being on death's door. That is, until, Doug came along.
Doug is the president of the rescue and is known to his coworkers as the "birds of prey whisperer."
"In all my years of working with birds of prey, I have never seen someone with such a bond with these magnificent birds," Dubuisson said.
After prolonged time being together, Gigi went from "death's door to perching" and developed an incredible bond with Doug.
This was never more evident than when Doug had gone to Michigan to visit some family. Gigi was left without her best friend. But when he returned and he gave her an examination, the giant bird knew exactly who he was.
Gigi started dancing on his arm, and crawled up to his shoulders to give Doug a giant hug.
Gigi will be released back into the wild once she is fully recovered, but neither she nor Doug will forget their special bond.
"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."
Have you ever seen anything like this?? Let us know!