We picked you up when you were 3 months old. We visited you at Bird Junction everyday so you would know us. We took you home and cared for you everyday for almost 20 years.
You formed a bond with me, which is typical for a bird. I fed you, cared for you, took care of your cage. You reciprocated by trying to regurgitate your food and feed me, by laying on your back, in a completely defenseless position and let me pick you up by your claws. You talked to me. You loved me. I loved you (and still do).
Then we found out you were sick. We took care of you, taking you to three different vets. They all said you would live a very sedentary lifestyle. We were ok with that.
Then on Feb 17, 2010 at 4:27 PM, you were having trouble getting down from your perch, so I held you in my hands to help. I put you down on the bottom of your cage, and then you just flew onto heaven – so quiet but so sad.
Your friend, Bandit, our Umbrella Cockatoo, looked down from his perch – I could swear I saw a tear in his eye. Our two cats looked at you and couldn’t understand. I still can’t.
Our lives were so much richer when we had you with us. It’ll be a long time until we get our lives back together.
We’ll see you at the Rainbow Bridge.