Frenchman forms unlikely friendship with pigeon

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Updated

This Frenchman has formed an unlikely friendship

with a female pigeon called Blanchon

Location: Gommenec’h, France

(SOUNDBITE) (French) 80-YEAR-OLD RETIREE, XAVIER BOUGET, SAYING:

"I was walking in Gommenec'h and I saw a small, almost featherless pigeon fall to the ground and try to escape the cats. So, I came back home thinking, 'Another living being that is going to have a bad day.' I told my wife about it and she asked, 'Did you not take it?' I said, 'Well no, I didn't take it.' So I went back to pick it up and I came home with Blanchon in my pocket."

Blanchon has become a constant companion to Xavier

while he rides his bicycle

tinkers in his workshop

or waters the garden

(SOUNDBITE) (French) 80-YEAR-OLD RETIREE, XAVIER BOUGET, SAYING:

"The question I am often asked about my relationship with Blanchon is: How does it feel not to be tied to one another, because we are not tied, but still be together?' I don't know. I am not a psychologist and I do not know if it is a feeling but, in any case, it is a desire to be together because we feel good."