It wouldn't be heaven without them.
Posted on 06/23/2025 9:27:44 PM PDT by logi_cal869
I really don't know why I'm posting this. Perhaps it's just venting, or a lack of ears and a heavy sadness. Therapy, perhaps, or possibly a couple of beers.
My bird - African Gray, "Puffer" - had an event tonight just before I arrived home. I noticed immediately that something was wrong when I opened the door: He greeted me whenever I entered the room - morning & night - and serenaded me when I was out of the room. Despite the species' intelligence & strong vocabulary, his go-to word was "Hello" and he used it smartly. It was oddly silent this evening.
The wife segued into birds after our last of 3 dogs she brought into our lives over 20 years ago - Pandora, a 16 y/o German Shepherd - finally mandated a QOL decision. After getting our first rescue - another African Gray, "Lolita" - a couple of years prior, she'd encountered Puffer at a local bird shop whose owner ran her business out of her home. Whenever she entered the shop the wife said Puffer would go from sad to perky, tossing multiple "Hello"s at her.
She'd inquired and found out that Puffer's prior owner had passed away. Due to stress from the separation, he'd become a 'plucker' and had large bald areas on his chest and wings. A strange looking bird, indeed. Naive myself, I learned that African Grays can live for 80 years. Given the short joy and long sadness over our dogs, I understood the wife's motivation. Initially upset at the arrival of a 2nd large cage in our small house, he grew on me immediately. However, birds are slow to accept others, especially Grays. It took 2 years for him to accept me and eventually he bonded with me stronger than the wife.
Though we had no knowledge of his age - or confirmation of sex - I was convinced that he'd outlive me and already assured that he'd be able to visit me in my passed state so that he could hopefully process why I was gone (in contrast to at least one of his prior owners).
2 weeks ago he was 100% normal. A week ago he clearly had some sort of event which I quickly isolated to one of his feet. But he was back to normal in 2 days other than some tenderness in his right foot. He was eating and dancing for his nightly treat: A small piece of crunchy peanut butter Cliff bar. Even this morning, the only sign there was anything wrong was the lack of his high-pitched TWEET which accompanied his "hello" and lick of my forehead. But note the lack, I did.
I arrived home to find him nearly motionless, my wife stating that he was normal when she went outside and found him that way just prior to my coming in the door. She hadn't even had time to text/call me.
He was on the floor of his cage. His eyes were closed, he was totally limp but his tongue was extending out his opening/closing beak with labored, broken breathing. I picked him up in a towel, held him and stroked his head for nearly an hour believing he would pass shortly.
He did not. In fact, though his body was totally limp, he opened his eyes after seemingly reacting to my words but remained limp.
It just got a lot harder.
I had my wife call the emergency vet, handed him to her and he was much unchanged for the 20-minute drive until I hit the speed bumps in the clinic's parking lot: His eyes opened wide. No apparent pain, but still motionless. I stroked his head and spoke to him as I carried him into the clinic, ANGERED as a gal took him from me into the back "for vitals" by the vet and we weren't allowed to go with him.
They promptly - after about the longest 10 minutes of the past 20 years - brought him back to the room we'd been taken, eyes still open, perhaps a bit of fear. I stroked his head, told him one last time "nighty-night" and said goodbye.
Ospreys are amazing. They form long-term pair bonds. After breeding, they migrate separately to South America (or Central America for some populations) for the winter. Males and females may winter in different regions, but their strong fidelity to the nesting site ensures they reconnect in the spring.
Both partners return to the same nest, typically built in open areas near water. The male often arrives first to defend the nest, and the female joins shortly after. Their migration can cover thousands of miles, with wintering grounds ranging from southern U.S. to South America (e.g., Brazil or Venezuela).
A naturalist describing this behavior for the Ospreys in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho told the story of a very late arriving female. She was so late getting back to the nest that the male took a new mate. When Mrs. #1 came back to the nest and found Mrs. #2 shacked up with Mister, all hell broke loose. Mrs. #1 was finally victorious and evicted the nest-breaker.
What a touching story about Puffer! It sounds like he was a wonderful addition to your family. I, too, believe that one’s beloved pets will be in heaven since God will want us to be happy there, and having one’s pet will add to that happiness.
These little creatures all won a place in my heart, with distinct personalities and signs of affection for me. I miss the ones who are gone and rue the day when the cat goes -- if I do not go first. I too am convinced that our pets have souls and will be with us again.
So sorry. Beautiful write up. I’m very sorry for Puffer and you and your wife. Wish I had better words, but thank you for telling us his story. Very touching.
Puffer was a loved happy part of your life... of course you’re going to miss him. You’re in my prayers...
It wouldn't be heaven without them.
I’m sorry for your loss. It hurts every time you lose a beloved pet.
No explanation necessary, Logi. Mrs. Eagle and I know what you are going through. It hurts. Blessings, blessings, blessings. 💔
I’m so sorry for your loss. At the same time, I think Puffer really scored in life when he adopted you. He finished his life with his family around him. Prayers up for your grief.
amen, brother. having reached a certain age myself, your touching account resonates. my condolences on the loss of your beloved pet and family member.
I understand, we just put our Chihuahua, Apollo down. He was six pounds of attitude. Fifteen years old, no teeth, a lotta bark not much bite. He ran the house. Our other 3 dogs, all rescue dogs, were submissive to him. We miss him dearly.
Oh, no . I am so very sorry. My heart goes out to you. Our pets were put in our lives and brought out the best in us. Hugs to you and your family.
The human bond with a pet is nearly equal to that of a close relative. Pets are indeed much smarter and affectionate than most people. A pet is always there for you, never back stabs, never does hurtful things a relative or supposed friend can do.
We also closely watch our outdoor animals, the ones we feed such as birds and squirrels. It’s amazing how smart they are.
Rest in Peace, Puffer. See ya soon. ;-(
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I empathize with how you feel and agree with every one of your thoughts on this issue. Over the years I’ve lost many pets, the last one, still after two years, being too painful to even think about. I believe many people, especially those who manage to live into their seventies and older, eventually come to the realization that (1) ALL creatures on the planet should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity because their very survival is dependent upon mankind’s protection and good will; and (2) one of the most horrifying things ever done in the history of mankind has been the unthinking (or willful) extermination of other living species. The estimated number of such exterminations is shocking. I don’t recall that number right now but it’s easily available online.
Birds are amazing little creatures. Even just backyard birds that can bond in pairs for life, share in nest building, feeding their young together, migrating long distances, etc., etc.
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I live on a farm property and one of my most enjoyable activities is watching, listening to, and feeding wild birds.
Of all of the emotions man can have, mourning is the strongest. You can really really hate someone. You can really really love someone but the sadness associated with loss or mourning weighs the heaviest of all emotions.
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So true as I’ve learned many times over the years.
The human bond with a pet is nearly equal to that of a close relative.
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I read an article recently, maybe here on FR, about psychological studies indicating that grieving over the loss of a beloved pet is commonly more traumatic than the experience of losing a close friend or even a relative.
I’m sad for you...
After my father’s death I was sitting on the back porch and picked up the neighbor’s duckling. It crawled up my chest and got on my shoulder. It turned around and the little critter then started giving me duck kisses on my cheek. So touching.
Argg, I’m a pirate now.
Your story made me cry. I’m sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful pet. Cannot imagine your grief, although I’m glad you were with him at the end instead of just finding him gone one day. God be with you both in your sad loss.
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