You weave in a lot for the reader to think about- and want to know more about - e.g.
Part of Lo suggested giving up, letting nature play out, assuring her she’d done as much as any reasonable person would. It was a part she’d never listened to, not when her marriage had taken a wobble, not when she’d got the hospital report, she wouldn’t start now.
And "sixteen stolen months" later she's alive and fighting.
Not just for herself now, but for the little fighter who's so tiny and weak. Rescuing an animal can be the best treatment for convalescents, soldiers with PTSD, the lonely - anyone!
I didn't want her having made it against the odds herself the complete focus of the story, but that was the point I started off from. So often it is the case that those who have been through something are more sensitive to others. I didn't want to say too much about her seeing something of herself in the bird and have it more as an uncurrent. I spent far too much time on the phrasing where that came up trying to get it to where I was happy with it. If there were more words, there mightve been more about her life, her being there so the bird didn't have to fight alone and a hint of her having had to face some difficult days without support. That is definitely a self healing people can find through caring for rescue animals, be it getting through something together, or being there for them in a way a person never got.
Have to agree with you there, got a few rescue animals myself, when little Mia (a conure who was born missing a toe on one of her feet, her leg developed a bit funny because of it and she can't balance as easily) goes to sleep on my shoulder, leaning against me for support, there is no better treatment for any woes I might have. Very much appreciate the comments :)