Conference 7.286::pet_birds

579.0. "THIS BUDGIE KNOW AS SUNSHINE" by ONESVC::BUCCIERI () Thu Jul 18 1991 15:27

    Approximately two years ago, I received a call from my mother, who
    lives in Boston, asking me if I was interested in adopting two
    budgies.  It seems that their present owner had grown weary of them.
    Having ten birds of various species, I figured what's two more.  
    
    Into the the city we drove pick up the new members or the family.
    The budgies were housed in a cage so small that it would only 
    be functional for a single budgie and only to transport it to and
    from the vet .... etc.  They were on a diet of Hartz Mountain seed,
    no vitamins and no veggies or fruit.
    
    Arriving home we quarantined them until I could get a good look at
    them.  Their names were Blueberry and Sunshine.  Sunshine looked
    okay but old Blue had a deformed cere.  Off to the vet I ran with 
    check book in hand. (free is never free in adoption situations)
    After an examination it was determined that he either had beak mites
    or a kidney disorder.  The latter being terminal.  Blue was given 
    medication to address the beak mite prognosis.  If he recovered and
    his cere became normal again then all was well.  If the condition
    persisted then it was the kidney disease.
    
    Two week later it was determined that the infliction was, in fact,
    a kidney disorder.  Over this period of time to the present blue 
    became more and more handicapped.  He has difficulty getting around
    and he has suffered some paralisis in his left leg.  He is not in 
    any obvious pain and sings happily every morning.  Most of his
    survivabilty to this point was due directly to the care that he 
    had received from his companion, sunshine.  Sunshine would preen
    blue's feathers and feed him through reguritation.  Sunshine devoted
    most of her day to blue's needs.  We fully expected blue to expire
    some time ago but that was not to be.
    
    A few days ago as I entered the bird room for the morning feeding,
    I was surprised to see that sunshine had died sometime during the 
    night.  My heart sank as I looked at Blue as she looked down on his
    lifeless companion.  There were no signs of injury and I can only 
    assume the his death was due to heart failure.  Sunshine showed no 
    signs of sickness prior to this.  Blue is now receiving the extra 
    care from myself to help her live as long as she can.  
    
    Sunshine was our first loss and he has left an empty spot in our 
    hearts.  Sunshine will always be special to us.  He gave of himself
    to benefit his companion.  I find myself counting birds as I enter
    the bird room now.  Sometimes I think these feathered friends will
    live forever.      
       

    What a bittersweet story...I'm so sorry to hear of your's and blue's
    loss.  
    
    Wendy

    I think if their is a "bird heaven"...you will be invited in.
    What a sad story...keep us posted on Blue...
    
    Caralyn