Curious and mischievous, the young blue jays at the wildlife hospital I once volunteered for easily won their way into my heart with their playful antics. Feeding them was always the highlight of my day; eager to get at their lunch of meal worms and blueberries, they wouldn’t hesitate to perch on my arms or shoulders if I took too long to set their food down. Once it was placed on the ground, they’d quickly lose interest and follow me around as I straightened up their small flight pen. Sitting in a row, heads cocked to one side or the other, they stared with interest as I scrubbed branches and raked gravel.  One day, the sight of my shoelaces dragging along the ground proved too much of a temptation for one of the little guys…