Orphaned Bird's Favorite Place Is On Top Of Her Dog

<p>Oxford Bird Rescue</p>
<p>Oxford Bird Rescue</p>

Plucky now lives a life of comfort on top of her canine throne, but that wasn't always the case.

In October 2014, Plucky, who is a spur-winged plover, lost her mother. She was just a day old.

Plucky's mother had been hit by a car, leaving her entirely alone.

Baby Plucky | Oxford Bird Rescue

A local woman who spotted the orphaned bird stopped to see if there was any hope for her mother - but once it was confirmed that the mother was dead, the woman picked up Plucky and handed her over to New Zealand's Oxford Bird Rescue.

"During the initial stages of raising her, [she] contracted a bacterial infection in the lungs and became very sick," Scott Bowman, the rescue's cofounder, told The Dodo.

"That year we had lost a lot of birds due to one thing or another and we decided we were going to do everything we could to keep this one alive," he said.

Keeping Plucky alive was no easy task, however - after coming into the rescue's care, Plucky grew sicker from the infection and it was only after several rounds of various treatments that Plucky was free of her illness.

Plucky loves a good beer ... or two. | Oxford Bird Rescue

"This was over a period of about six months," Bowman said.

Plucky doing her best hawk imitation | Oxford Bird Rescue

"We were constantly having to handle her, to both give medication and to tube-feed, as she was unable to eat enough food to keep herself going," he said. As a result, Plucky became especially attached to Bowman and his wife, Tracey - and therefore was not suited for release back into the wild.

Bowman, his wife Tracey and Plucky | Oxford Bird Rescue

Even though Plucky's life had been saved, Bowman said, he still felt guilty about the fact that Plucky was unable to survive on her own in the wild. She became a permanent member of the Bowman family, with her own large outdoor aviary - and a best friend as well.

Plucky and Boof | Oxford Bird Rescue

His name is Boof.

Oxford Bird Rescue

"Boof has grown up around birds and serves as a surrogate mother for ducklings from time to time," Bowman said.

Oxford Bird Rescue

"Plucky and Boof bonded over the period toward the end of the medication treatment as she was inside most of the time and still, to this day, Plucky will follow Boof around the house sticking close to him," he said.

Oxford Bird Rescue

Boof, who is 10 years old, loves sharing food with Plucky, in addition to being her favorite resting spot.

Plucky and Boof catching the game together | Oxford Bird Rescue

Plucky's also picked up a thing or two from Boof over the years and now acts as a surrogate mom for other plovers who arrive at the rescue.

Boof, Plucky and their cat, Ratbags | Oxford Bird Rescue

Plucky and Boof sometimes even let the cat, Ratbags, join in on the fun ...

Plucky vs. Ratbags | Oxford Bird Rescue

... though Plucky definitely runs the show. One time, Plucky even got in trouble for chasing Ratbags around the house.

Plucky is the boss of Ratbags | Oxford Bird Rescue

"We are still sad that we were unable to release her, but we are glad that a positive has come out of her story," Bowman said of the bird, who is the rescue's mascot and an educational animal for children.

Oxford Bird Rescue

"Although she can be a bit noisy at the crack of dawn, we would miss her terribly. She has become a loved member of our family," he said.

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Watch this video of Plucky gently tending to her best friend, Boof: