I really have no one to talk to about the loss of my beloved pet bird Keltie.
I don't know of anyone personally who has a bird as a pet.
Of course I know that most people believe that birds shouldn't be caged (and I agree).
Keltie died last week at age 27.
A long life was never anticipated for Keltie........and
there are some that predicted she would die at 3 weeks old, but
they didn't know her spirit!
My cousin had been working at a wildlife sanctuary when a team
member brought in this ragged looking 3 week old quaker parrot.
She had been at the local pet store when she overheard a
conversation with the breeder and store owner; this lady was
trying to sell Keltie as snake food for $50.00 to the pet store!
You see Keltie is a disabled bird, she just wouldn't leave the nest so
her Mom bit off all her toes in an effort to get her out. The worker
from the wildlife sanctuary purchased Keltie and brought her
to the sanctuary. My cousin called me immediately, there was no
way the sanctuary had the ability to give Keltie the attention
she would need........and we don't expect her to live!
Alright, well I was up for the challenge! I carried Keltie to
my day job in a shoe box (much to the owner's dismay). I lovingly
hand fed on demand and within weeks as she became
stronger and stronger she just started to blossom.
There were some difficulties in outfitting a cage, seems there's
very little available for disabled birds. I managed using wood boxes
and platforms that she could perch on. She is my little
miracle bird. She has been with me on my spiritual journey
from the very beginning.
Everywhere I went, Keltie came too! I'm talking running from hurricanes or heading on vacation. Actually it was about 2 years ago when we ALL needed to drive north to get ahead of an on-coming hurricane.
ALL, as in Keltie, my dog Cosmo and my son's pet Kitty! It was a trip!
**********
It was 4am and I was sound asleep when I heard Keltie scream. I jumped up immediately and found her lying on her cage floor. Her eyes were open, she was still breathing. I scooped her up in my hand and while I lovingly rubbed her, kissed her, she took her final breath. She didn't want to leave, I didn't want her to leave. But she was gone in that moment.
She took a piece of my heart with her. So long anam cara - my soul companion.