Goodbye

This is one of those things you truly dread. Losing a family pet.

Firstly, I do not want anyone to discredit the importance of this little guy, he held a very important role in our family.  He was our little ray of sunshine. His name was Baby, and he is a Peach Faced Lovebird.

 

He came into my life long before Brian or Olivia. I was about 21 years old Living with my parents. As soon as they told me that their lovebird pair had laid eggs I told my parents that I simply had to have one of the babies! Of course they said yes. The babies hatched , but the mom was a bit over-motherly and was starting to smother them. So I picked my bird, before he was technically "ready" to leave the nest and had to take care of him day and night. This entailed keeping him warm (he barely had any feathers and was pink and so helpless) and feeding him via syringe multiple times a day. I would come home for lunch just to feed him and hold him. He grew beautiful and strong , and had such a sweet and loving personality.

It is not typical to keep a lovebird single. But he was the only baby that survived. He was special, and I loved him. I moved out and of course he came with me! My Vet had commented on 2 occasions how delightful he was , and "if I ever wanted to find someone to take him in, she was happy to do so". His joy was infectious. Everyone lit up when they saw him. When he was 3 he was introduced to my new kitten ! They were best buddies and kitty would literally sleep next to him most of the day. He never once tried swatting at the bird, it was funny - like they had an understanding of some sort......

I went through a very bad depression, and sudden move, and of course my Bird and Cat came with me . I swear they really felt my pain and got me through those first few months when I felt as if the world was closing in on me.

Fast forward to present time, and Brian and Olivia both love this sweet little bird too.
Every morning our Daughter Olivia has to say good morning and night - night to "Bird" . She would stop by his cage several (yes SEVERAL) times a day and point to him and say either "up, up" or "birrrrrrrrd"

Bird was even one of her very first words!

There are so many things I could say.... My heart and my home feel empty. The sweet sound of his chirping and happiness are now replaced with silence. The morning and night ritual of addressing him are now just a memory.  Our little sunshine is gone. I will never forget losing him. I am sure every February 8th I will look at the calendar, and have a heavy heart. But then again every day I can also reflect on how he truly brought joy , love, happiness and comfort to our home. And that, is irreplaceable.....

Goodbye, our sweet friend, for now you sing in heaven with the Angels!