I know I don't post in lounge much, but tonight DU is the only thing like a friend left in my home

[Oak2004]

My parrot died tonight. I did everything I could do for him. But he died.

He's all I had in the way of immediate family.

My apartment is a bird playground with a little bit of human shoehorned in. My neighbor cleared my bird's nestbuilding project off my desk, because I know I could not, and I'm trying to clear out as much unreusable bird stuff (basically, anything that can't be sterilized, which is to say must of what he had), but it is so much bigger a project than with my cats. I always toss everything immediately after I lose a pet. It spares me the agony of waking up the next day to a food dish, or a bed, or a toy that will never be used again. I have to save so much of though (everything I can sterilize) because if I had to buy everything new again I doubt I'd be able to afford another bird. As any parrot owner can tell you, the initial cost of the bird is the cheap part of owning a parrot. The cage, toys playpens, and vet bills are the real costs of a parrot, and I can sterilize the metal and plastic.

I know there will be another bird as soon as I can manage one because I cannot imagine life without a parrot. And I didn't think I would have to, not this soon. The little guy was almost six years old, and his species usually lives 25 or more years.

My apartment is too lonely and quiet tonight.

[LeftyFingerPop]

1. I am sorry for your loss, Oak2004

:hug:

[mzteris]

2. I'm sorry . . .

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. so sad. Wonder what happened. What was the little guy's name?

So sorry you lost your little friend :hug:

[Oak2004]

10. His name was Eagle

And he had a respiratory infection.

He had a crop infection in January, then developed sneezing and eye irritation. I had been taking him to the vet over it for a couple of weeks. He spent last night in the hospital, but they sent him home this afternoon. He went downhill after coming home, and when he became listless I rushed him to the emergency vet. He died there. Apparently his lungs filled with fluid.

I knew he was sicker than they were thinking he was. I wish I had been more adamant that he was very very ill, and not, as the vet said today, in "fair" condition. They didn't even start him on antibiotics until today, when it was obviously way too late. Not that insisting, I suppose, would have done much good. They'd probably just dismissed me as an overconcerned nut or something.

[Mollis]

4. I'm sorry about your parrot

He was a beautiful color
I love birds
:hug:

[Ptah]

5. I'm saddened to learn of your loss

[Tommy_J]

6. My Condolences Oak

[Lavender Brown]

7. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend.

:hug:

[Sanity Claws]

8. I'm sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Flaxbee]

9. I'm so sorry, Oak

I lost one of my best friends last week; we did everything we could to prolong Tommy's life comfortably, but we still lost him.

It hurts so much, and you have all my sympathy. I hope you can get through the quiet time, grieve, and then go find another parrot who needs a home and can be a good friend to you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear Oak2004...

I am so sorry about the death of your beautiful little guy...

I hope that the passage of time will bring you peace and the good memories you had with him...

:hug:

[XemaSab]

12. Aww!

:pals:

Was he (or she) a Gray-cheeked Parrot? :shrug:

[Oak2004]

23. He was a Quaker

(which despite the name, should not be confused with pacifists :) ) They are also known as "Monk parakeets" in the wild (though again they ought not be confused with the retiring and contemplative :) ).

[darkstar]

13. Aw...that is so sad

Rest easy, Eagle....

:hug:

[seaker]

14. Your loss is profound.

I am very sorry.

[Muttocracy]

15. oh, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I check in on a friend's two parrots when she's traveling for work. With my dogs, no way I could have birds, but I really enjoy seeing those two every few months.

Your friend was so young and beautiful. :cry:

:hug:

[bluesbassman]

16. Sorry for your loss Oak2004.

I know how special a bird can be. :hug:

[flvegan]

17. I'm sorry, Oak2004.

Losing a loved one is so very difficult.

[Starry Messenger]

18. Hugs Oak2004

I'm sorry about your friend. I love small animals and their personalities. Losing them is such a hollow feeling.

[foxfeet]

19. I'm so sorry for your loss, Oak2004.

I wish you peace and healing. :hug:

[yewberry]

20. Oh, no. I'm so sorry. We have a cocketiel in our family,

and (while I was never a bird person before) I can't imagine losing him.

They have such fragile lives. I'm so sorry he's gone.

[kiva]

21. Awww, Oak, so sorry.

Thanks goodness for caring neighbors, and hope you are ready soon for your new bird friend.:hug:

[SeattleGirl]

22. I'm sorry for your loss, Oak

Pets are family.

:hug:

[REP]

24. I'm very sorry

He was a cute guy with a terrific name. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[TK421]

25. I'm sorry to hear this...my brother has an Amazon named Buster

I know this guy is getting up in years, but they really grow on you. I know you will have to get used to not hearing his voice, and that must be tough. They are like part of the family....

[Critters2]

26. I'm sorry for your loss, Oak. I'm glad we can be here for you.

Here's a site that's been helpful to me when I've lost pets. http://www.mondaycandleceremony.com/

The Monday Candle Ceremony helped me feel connected with others, less alone.

I'm sorry you have to go through this. Try to remember the ways in which Eagle (great name, btw) enriched your life. :hug:

[Dangerously Amused]

27. So sorry for your loss.

What a beautiful little guy. Safe passage, Eagle.

[emilyg]

28. I'm so sorry.

[buzzard]

29. So sorry to hear this they become members of your family sometimes the only ones. I remember

when my husband lost his first parrot almost 25 years ago how heartbroken he was, so much so that he vowed never to have one again. Since then I have adopted a couple that no one wanted only as a temporary home at first but 10 years later here they are. So when the sadness passes know that there are other feathered friends looking for a home and that you can provide that. Hugs to you I don't know how to do the emoticons. Here are my adopted babies they are happy now, as a parrot person you will find another or two to care for I am sure.

[Oak2004]

32. Unless you've had a parrot you can't understand the relationship

and how it it so much more like a human-human relationship than like a human-pet relationship. I used to call Eagle my Identified Flying Object, my Little Green Man, my Alien intelligence, because, really, he was an alien intelligence, a sophisticated mind with the capacity to communicate in my own language with me. They are not like dogs and cats, and that's not to say that I haven't wept over my dogs and cats before. Tonight, I lost a person, though not a human, though, as I told him often in his final days, he will always be with me in my heart. and I will always love him.

[buzzard]

33. That is so true for us with parrots unless you have had one you don't understand the connection. I

hope you can find a way to get through this loss our birdie buddies are special creatures and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

[crim son]

30. It is painfully clear how much you loved your baby.

I'm so sorry. :hug:

[ThomCat]

31. I'm very sorry.

That's so young... :(

:hug:

[amitten]

34. I'm very sorry. He looks like he was a happy pet! n/t

[Jamastiene]

35. I'm sorry you lost your baby.

:hug:

[fizzgig]

36. i'm so sorry you lost your little guy

:hug:

[JNelson6563]

37. I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend.

:hug: I wish you brighter days ahead.

Julie