For Christmas, I got David a Senegal Parrot. We went to the pet shop, picked him out and brought him home in the freezing weather. It was a massive undertaking since most of the city streets were blocked off...but it was worth it! The bird was there for Christmas morning and was an extremely affectionate pet, even if a little bit suicidal. He fell more than any bird I've ever seen. On top of his cage on his little playpen, he would just take a flying leap onto the floor. His wings were clipped, so grace was never seen and there was no way of softening the fall. He didn't care, he'd hobble over to one of us wanting to be held.
Yesterday, he sat on the bottom of his cage and wouldn't come out. When David got home he wouldn't chirp. He picked him up and it was clear he no longer had the use of his legs. We ended up naming him NoNaMe (no-na-mi), it was my joke since David hadn't come up with a name yet, but it stuck. It was clear NoNaMe wasn't going to make it. We still don't know what happened. I asked Parker if he gave him any brownie...he said no, chocolate kills birds. So I don't think he was fed anything he shouldn't have been. I hadn't cooked in a few days on anything Teflon, so it couldn't have been that. We don't know what happened, but he died. This was a rough blow for our family and a rough blow for our animal parenting confidence.
Later, I was checking my e-mail and received one saying that David's grandfather passed away. I didn't want him to discover it the next day at work, so I had to tell him about that as well. It was really sad. I don't have any pictures of him. This summer we went to a family reunion in Washington that was really in honor of him. He had Alzheimer's so he wasn't really responsive at that time, though there was occasional recognition. His grandmother is still alive and I know that she will miss him dearly as she spent a large portion of these last few years looking out for him. He will be greatly missed by children, grand-children and great-grandchildren. He left quite a legacy as there are a ton of them!
After breaking that sad news, I didn't know what to do. I made blueberry muffins. I couldn't think of anything else.
3 comments:
No way! That is horrible! Maybe he caught the same disease the 3 Christmas bunnies in my house had. That is such a blow. In a way, it is good you didn't get too attached. I am sorry :(
AND, David's grandfather? That is awful! What a terrible day. I am sure you just wanted to lock yourself up in your house with your kids lest there be a third misfortune happen. Tell David I am sorry. That sucks!
I'm sorry about your two losses - both are difficult, I'm sure. Baking is always my solution too.
Aww..so sorry for the sadness :) Hope everyone's spirits have lifted a bit now.
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