Sad news...

[fajrdrako]

One of my little budgies died on Friday. I didn't have the heart to post anything about it then. Simon - named after the doctor in Firefly - was green and yellow and grey, with no black feathers at all. He was smart and quick and lively. He was healthy as far as I could tell up to the moment of his death. I was cleaning the apartment, listening to music, with him and the other birds singing along as they always do - then I looked at the cage and saw he was lying dead on its floor.

A shock.

All budgies have a lot of personality but he had more than most. He came to me as a pair with Kaylee, a gift from a friend. He fell in love with Wisdom on sight - two schmoopier birds I can't imagine, staring into each others eyes by the hour, grooming each other, cuddling each other, having sex on the curtain rods and anywhere else that struck their fancy. Domino is their son. They were the happiest budgie family you can imagine. Once he had abandoned her for Wisdom, Kaylee took to attacking him on sight. Killer budgie mode. I kept them in separate cages after that. (Who needs to watch soap operas, when they have budgies?)

Simon was a master escape artist. He wasn't a particularly tiny budgie, but he could fit through holes you'd swear no bugie could fit through unless he had removable wings. He could escape the cage through the small slit where the floor-tray fits. He could escape the cage if I was inattentive for a second when putting in the food and water. Once, he got out of the cage and I still haven't figured out how he did it. Teleportation?

Just a few days ago he was foraging for stray crumbs of seed on the apartment floor, strutting around the parquet as if he owned the place. Which, as far as I am concerned, he did.

I miss the little guy.

Comments

[gem225.livejournal.com]

I'm so very sorry to hear this. Please accept my sympathies. I loved hearing about Simon, and I'll keep him and you in my thoughts.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I know you understand! I really appreciate it.

[tamalinn.livejournal.com]

oh, sweetie, it hurts so much to lose a pet. i'm so sorry. *hugs*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I needed the hug. *Hug* back.

[mos-self.livejournal.com]

sorry to hear about simon. when you lose a pet, it leaves a big hole.
{{{hugs}}}

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, every pet has its own personality and its own uniqueness, indelible in the memory. Thanks for the much-needed hug.

[squashed.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about Simon.

*hugs*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

*hug* Thank you. Sweet little feathered guy.

[dolimir-k.livejournal.com]

Oh, hon, that's awful. I love your Budgie stories and it just breaks my heart that you lost one, especially Simon. How's Wisdom holding up?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

When Simon was dead in the cage, both Wisdom and Domino went as far away from him as they could, totally silent and still, looking distressed. When I removed him from the cage they relaxed a little. Though quiet for a while, they soon started eating and chirping again - but they still look around the cage, a little confused, as if wondering where he has gone.

Thanks for the kind words.

Truthfully, I'm feeling very thankful that I still have the other four birds, and not silence from that part of the room. The little guys are comforting me.

[monsieureden.livejournal.com]

Oh no! :( It reminds me of the time I found Nikko dead in his cage, completely and utterly unexpected, especially when you treat them so well.

*hugs you* Condolences.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *Hug* back. I know it happens with birds; they're fragile, their bodies aren't build for endurance. Still a shock when it happens.

[judymoe.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear about Simon. It's never easy losing your little ones, feathered or furred. It always hurts.

{{{{fajrdrako}}}}

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yeha, it does. Pets matter. Thanks for caring.

[dargie.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I'm so sorry. How's Wisdom taking it?

[dargie.livejournal.com]

I should've read the comments. Anyway, hugs, sweetie.

[jkluge.livejournal.com]

Poor dear. There have been a lot of my friends and family losing beloved pets this week. Hugs to you!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh no - that's so sad! Could there be something about the time of year? Anyway... thanks for the hugs, much appreciated & needed. (hug!)

[glinda-north.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, hon. ::hugs::

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Hug. Your comment makes things feel better. Toast the little guy for me sometime, okay?

[imaginarytiff.livejournal.com]

So, so harsh. He sounds amazing. My sympathy to you and the rest of his family. *hugs*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and the other feathered guys appreciate the thought too. (Even though they can't express it. They're saying 'chirp' but it probably means 'where's breakfast?') *hug*

[velvetglove.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I love hearing about your birds (and now that I have budgies, too, I know how absolutely endearing the little guys are). I wish there was some way animals could tell us when they aren't feeling right.

I hope the rest of the flock are coping all right. As much as Huevo and Garuda have a hardcore rivalry, they hate it when they can't see one another, so I imagine your birds will have some confusion/grief.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, aren't budgies amazing? All that energy and drive and personality in a tiny body that weights almost nothing. Huevo and Garuda are cute names. Yes, I think even Kaylee is sorry that Simon is gone - they all keep looking around for the voice that isn't there.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

So sorry to hear this. And glad you have the other four to comfort you. ::hugs::

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The other four are doing a good job of comforting me, bless their feathered hearts. Just by being there, and being irrepressible. Thanks for the hugs (hugs back!) and kind words.

[kathyh]

Sorry to hear that. He sounds as if he was a great character. Hugs.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

"A character" describes him pretty well. He wasn't obedient and no one would call him a saint, but he was smart and bright and liked so much to get into things. Such a lover of life, in such a bright tiny body. *Hugs* greatly appreciated. *hug back*

[meri-oddities.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I'm so sorry to hear this. I'll see you this weekend. Take Care.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the sympathy; much appreciated. I look forward to seeing you on the weekend! Have a good week meantime.

[lmondegreen.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry! *hug* We'll miss the little guy.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *Hug*. You now, when next we watch Smallville, I wonder if we'll notice the difference in volume of noise from the cages....

[jfc013.livejournal.com]

Poor little birdie. Poor Eliz. [X{#-(Hugs)-#}X] from all of us!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you. *Hugs* back, and appreciation of the comfort.

[in-stead.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I know it's hard to lose a pet. *hugs*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *hug*. It's too bad pets can't be immortal. But then they'd be going after each othe with swords, and that would be messy....

[dargit.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that. Losing a pet is hard. {HUG}

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *hug*. There's no painless way to lose someone you care about, whatever size and shape and species they may be.

[laitosto.livejournal.com]

My sympathies.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you. (Hug!) And... mi dankas vin, et merci beaucoup.

[adamlizz.livejournal.com]

*big big hugs*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you. (*Sighs an enjoys the much-needed hugs*)

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

My condolences for your loss. You're in my thoughts.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much.

[ceruleancat.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry, dear. Lots of hugs.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *Hugs back*

[moonchildetoo.livejournal.com]

Awww...I'm sorry to hear that. {Hugs}

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I know you understand! You make me feel better just by being there.

[loreleif.livejournal.com]

Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry. *HUGS* It's so hard to lose a baby. All the best to you and the rest of your brood.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks you, especially for the hugs. They're worth their weight in gold at a time like this. The little guys say 'chirp' in thanks.