My Feathered Friend

[Sowelu]

My love bird that I've had for almost 8 years died early this morning. It's name was Uriah.
Yesterday, somehow the cat got in the house when I got home, and, Uriah was out of her cage. Well.....the cat (whom I must mention now has a new home) attacked Uriah and ran through the house with her in his mouth. We finally caught the cat, and retrieved Uriah. I thought she'd make it...she only had a small injury to her chest and the side of her beak. But, I guess that was too much for such a small creature.
Uriah had been with me for many years, through all my up's and down's....she was there...often chirping or whisteling "Pretty Bird" at me through her cage...as a sign for me to let her out.
I raised her from a baby, the first batch from my moms love birds that she was breeding at the time.
She was very gentle, loving, talkative:(
Funny thing, as I was taking her down the hill to bury her next to Dakota (my beloved dog who was struck by a car on Sept. 11th)...
and Angel's puppies (all 10 of them drowned, they were only barely 2 days old), a bunch of crows up in the trees were making a ruckus, which I usually don't hear so early in the morning.
Perhaps they were saying goodbye also, to their friend, who would talk to them while her cage was sitting in an open window.
Goodbye Uriah...I will see you again...someday.
And say hello to Dakota and Angels Babies, tell them I love them and miss them too.


I can almost feel Uriah now.....sitting right here on my shoulder.

[shnen]

(((((Jade)))))

this has really been a rough few months for you...

[Xander67]

Jade, ((((((JADE))))))

me here if you need anything

[CoolJ]

aww jade :(

i lost some of my favorite pets too... i miss them a lot,
*hug*

[WandererInGray]

*big hugs*
I'm so sorry to hear that Jade.
Mely just lost her dear bird friend not long ago.

*smiles* Remember the good times. And may they carry you through.

[Sowelu]

Thanks you guys!:)

[bluebear]

Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your loved one. Remember that the spirit never dies and in that regard they will be with you always. Blessed be.
Bluebear

[stormyray]

I am so sorry to hear of this. May you hear her chirps always.

[Euphoria]

awwww baby ((((hugs))))

BAD KITTY !!!!!!

[flar7]

when cats get birds, even if the damage is minimal, the shock
usually kills them...:(

so sorry for your loss. little birds can be the coolest friends.
May your grief pass quickly, and your memories never fade.

[Sowelu]

:)
:rolleyes:
:)
Happy face for everyone's support, Smiley looking up to the sky, and another smiley face for all the wonderful people here!

[Flaire-FireStar]

(((((((Jade)))))))

It always sucks to lose a pet... :(

[Twig]

I'm so sorry Jade. I'll bury a feather in honor. Look the the ravens for comfort. I consider them the messengers of the Gods and my personal Spirit Animal. You may see more than normal. ;) THey are there to comfort you.

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Rubi Waters]

Oh Jade.. so sorry you lost you dear friend. just remember she will still be with you always!

[Melysande]

(((Jade))) As Wanderer said, I lost tika, my cockatiel of six years, this January. He's buried in the backyard with all of his favorite toys and foods and a mirror (and lots of yellow and pink rose petals), directly under the bedroom window where his cage was. I'm making a garden for him this year, too.

I still talk to him every day and every now and then, I swear I get visits from him. Either I'll have dreams where it feels like I've spent hours just patting him, talking to him, and getting my hair preened by him, or else I'll find feathers (not always his) somewhere where they normally wouldn't be. (Like on the coat of the person walking in front of me in the subway. This usually happens after I've heard a song just minutes before, that reminded me of him.) And then there are the times when I hear birds outside that sound just like him. I'm still not sure if he learned it from them, or if they learned it from him. (Weirder still are the times when I've come home late in the evening, after the birds outside were all roosting, and I'll think I heard tika shrieking a contact call for me to let me know he's heard me come through the door the way he always used to.)

My biggest shocks came when I kept leaving my bedroom light and radio on during the day even though there was no tika to leave them on for anymore, and when I went to a couple places online that I hadn't been to in awhile and I remembered that things associated with him had been a few of my passwords.

I still have a hard time eating popcorn because that was his favorite. (He used to try diving right into the bowl. **smiles at the memory**) And I still tend to shed a few tears each night for him. I miss him so much, but I keep promising him that I'll see him soon because, where our birds are, there's all the time in the world and no time at all.

The day after he became "temporarily out of reach", I needed something to take my mind off it, so I rented "A Knight's Tale." I got a really important message from the woman blacksmith. "Love should always end with hope." That was especially meaningful for me because I'd read the poem, "Hope Is the the Thing With Feathers" by Emily Dickinson, and had considered naming tika "Hope," originally. (http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/rp/poems/dickn9c.html Go here to read the poem so that I don't get in trouble with the Copyright Police. :) ....and yes, Wanderer and Phoenix, this is where "little bird" comes from. **grins**) Rent "A Knight's Tale," if you can. It might help you, too.

Talk to your little one. Coo and whistle. Say/Do the things you used to, no matter who thinks you might be nuts. You'll be rewarded for it, I promise.

Another thing that really helped me was just having somewhere (for me it was BNet, but for you it might be here) to share your bird stories. In eight precious years, you must have collected soooooo many wonderful stories about your birdy baby. Feel free to share, and maybe I'll trade you by telling you what what happens when you cross a birthday party, an unbrella, a silly birdmom, and a cranky, high-strung cockatiel who's molting.

P.S. As for almost feeling her on your shoulder, I know the feeling well. I kept saying that to Wanderer and Phoenix for weeks afterward. I felt like I could tell exactly which shoulder he was sitting on, and it almost felt warmer there. I think it might be Uriah visiting you still. Treasure that feeling.

[mysticvik]

seems we both lost our feathered friends recently

[Sowelu]

Thank You all so very....very much!
Melysande....I know what you mean about the popcorn thing! Every time I would make microwave popcorn, Uriah would throw a fit until I gave her some. She loved it! I did manage to keep one of her feathers, but I had my husband put her cage out in the shed. Dam I miss her.
I am soooo sensitive when it comes to animals. I remember as a little girl I used to ball if I saw a dead dog by the road.
I also used to put a bowl of water on the table, and Uriah would climb into it and take a bath.
Anyways, thank you all!!!!!:)

[Melysande]

**grins** I haven't met the bird yet that didn't know exactly what that pop-pop-pop sound was and what it meant.


**nods** I tried the dish of water thing with tika, but he really didn't like that. So I tried the mister thing, and found out that the shhhh-ing sound scared the heck out of him. Tried taking him in the shower with me, but he despised that. Tried just plopping him in the sink and manhandling him. It was effective in getting him clean, but he HATED that. Then one day, I was drinking some water. He took a sip from the cup. Then another. Then he splashed me. Then he splashed himself. So then *I* splashed him. He loved it. He raised all his feathers and moved every way he could think of to let the droplets bathe him. **shakes head** Every time he wanted a bath, I got a very wet shoulder from that point on. I'm just glad he liked the hairdryer.

[Melysande]

Oh! Another thing...... if you plan on keeping Uriah's feather (and any others you find), put it in your freezer for safe-keeping, otherwise dust mites will destroy it. I've saved feathers over the years, and I've lost quite a few from dust mites because I didn't follow my own advice.

[Old Witch]

I lost my cockatiel that I had for 18 yrs. just last Sept..........I know how hard it is not to hear their cheerful voices.....I am so sorry for your loss...........

[Melysande]

**hugs Old Witch** I'm sorry for your loss, too. Age has no meaning for birds. They're always 2 yr old children, in my book. And it's always tragic to lose a child.

[Sowelu]

I agree!
My husband offered to buy me another love bird, but, it's just not the same ya know?
Uriah loved when I made the splash noise while she took a bath.
I thought she was gonna drown once when she flew into the fish tank....
Old Witch, I am sorry to hear about your loss as well!
Melysande, thanks for the tip on saving/preserving the bird feather. I was thinking about framing it along with her picture...it should be okay then shouln't it?:)

[Illuminatus]

Well done! Punish that villanous cat for obeying its instincts, and for being a cat. I hope it is happily rotting in its new "home". Whatever it takes for you to shift responsibility away from yourself.

[Melysande]

Jade, you can still do that. Just put it in your freezer for a week first. And then put it in a clean frame as soon as you can. That should stave off dust mites for a long time. :)

[Sowelu]

Illuminatus:
HOLD ON a second.....I am not relieving myself of any "responsibility".....I had that bird for almost 8 years, the cat for a few months! I know what a cat's instincts are! The bird was more a part of my family than the cat was ever going to be!
If you had a dog that attacked one of your kids, would you keep the dog? Pat it on the head and say "Ohhh, that's okay doggie, you made a mistake"...I don't think so. To me that's close to the same thing!
I couldn't have the cat around, always knowing that it was him who killed the bird...instinct or no instinct!
Sorry if you don't agree....but that's just me.;)

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by JadeDragonfly
Illuminatus:
HOLD ON a second.....I am not relieving myself of any "responsibility".....I had that bird for almost 8 years, the cat for a few months! I know what a cat's instincts are! The bird was more a part of my family than the cat was ever going to be!
If you had a dog that attacked one of your kids, would you keep the dog? Pat it on the head and say "Ohhh, that's okay doggie, you made a mistake"...I don't think so. To me that's close to the same thing!
I couldn't have the cat around, always knowing that it was him who killed the bird...instinct or no instinct!
Sorry if you don't agree....but that's just me.;)

If I had a pet (I don't), I would not punish it for behaving appropriately for its species. Holding a cat to a human's standards is an unfair expectation. Like beating a dog for barking. It doesn't know any better, barking is a natural thing for an animal with strong instincts.

You brought that cat into your house knowing full well it was a predator, but you claimed to "forget" that and punished it anyway. You are the type of person who accidently puts chlorene bleach into your ammonia floor cleaner, and then has a fit when a poisonous green gas appears. You would blame the weak molecular structure of Ammonia if you could, but really, where does the blame lie? In the human who brought these two fierce elements of nature together. (ie, bird and cat)

If you did not understand that analogy, let me state it a bit more clearly: You are responsible for the actions of your pets, because they do not understand the concept of responsiblity. To answer your analogy, if I had a dog that killed my child, I would accept responsibility for killing my child. You killed your own bird! you would blame the sky for being blue if you thought it would ease your conscience. Well, you can lie to yourself all you likee, but don't lie to me. J'accuse!!!

"We are all exceptional cases. We all want to appeal against something. Each of us insists on being innocent at all cost, even if he has to accuse the whole human race and heaven itself."- Camus

- Illuminatus

[Sowelu]

If you had read the the starting thread here, you would have seen that the cat "Waundered" into the house as I came in the door! I never "LET" the cat into the house. It was some stray cat that lived out-doors.
So, if you are trying to get a rise out of me-it's not going to work!
Have a nice day!:T

[Myst]

So I bet you're kicking yourself for not being more careful about what gets in the door, huh?

[Phoenix Blue]

Quoth JadeDragonfly:
If you had read the the starting thread here, you would have seen that the cat "Waundered" into the house as I came in the door! I never "LET" the cat into the house. It was some stray cat that lived out-doors.
So, if you are trying to get a rise out of me-it's not going to work!
Have a nice day!

Well, I think that's something Illuminatus does anyway. :cool:

That said, though, I also see the point he's making. . . and while I disagree with one of the semantics, I agree with the point in general. However the bird got loose, the cat isn't responsible for that. The cat was being a cat. . . and anyone who's ever owned cats will tell you, yes, they hunt and they kill things. My cats are excellent bug-catchers, for which I am very grateful.

I don't buy that you didn't "let" the cat into the house. Obviously you did--since you didn't actively kick it out of the house. Not only did you let it stay in the house, you adopted it for all intents and purposes.

Now, that semantic bit is this--I don't think finding another home for the cat is punishment. In fact, it's bound to be a blessing for the cat and for its new humans. Some people aren't cat people--there's no shame in that--but please don't buy or adopt another cat until you've taken some time to better understand them.

[shnen]

Originally posted by JadeDragonfly
If you had read the the starting thread here, you would have seen that the cat "Waundered" into the house as I came in the door! I never "LET" the cat into the house. It was some stray cat that lived out-doors.
So, if you are trying to get a rise out of me-it's not going to work!
Have a nice day!:T

:thumbsup: (((jade)))

[Illuminatus]

Originally posted by Phoenix_Blue
Now, that semantic bit is this--I don't think finding another home for the cat is punishment. In fact, it's bound to be a blessing for the cat and for its new humans. Some people aren't cat people--there's no shame in that--but please don't buy or adopt another cat until you've taken some time to better understand them.

If the "New home" is the ASPCA, where it will be put to sleep in two months time, I must respectfully disagree.

[shnen]

I just have one question for you all who have decided to partake in bashing Jade...

How could you be so mean to someone grieving and in obvious pain from her loss? Have you no manners? I read Jade's very first message from the thread again, and it makes me wonder how it came to this... :mad:

[Phoenix Blue]

True enough, but she didn't say she took it to the ASPCA--just "a new home." And honestly, from a more human-centric standpoint, I'd rather the cat be euthanised than spend the next two years of its life reproducing countless litters of kittens just to be killed by a car. . . ya know?

**Shudders** Anywho. Jade, I do feel bad about your bird. **Soft smile** I'm sure bird heaven has a "Cats stay out" sign posted, though. . . :)

[Phoenix Blue]

Quoth shnen:
I just have one question for you all who have decided to partake in bashing Jade...

How could you be so mean to someone grieving and in obvious pain from her loss? Have you no manners? I read Jade's very first message from the thread again, and it makes me wonder how it came to this... :mad:

I don't realy think there was any "bashing" involved here. At least, not on my part. I wasn't being malicious--I was being direct.

It's okay to grieve the loss of a pet. It's not okay to blame the animal who killed that pet for just doing what animals do.

Some things just happen. . . **shrugs** I'm not trying to find fault with Jade; laying blame is a useless pursuit. But when you, as a bird owner, let a cat into your home and take care of it for several months. . . **shakes head** it would be like me having Benjamin at home without childproofing the house, then suing the power company when he stuck his finger in an electrical socket.

This goes to show the difference between blame and responsibility. I wouldn't blame Jade for what happened to her bird; however, while it may not be fair, she bears the responsibility for it.

That's called being honest. I don't see it as "bashing."

[shnen]

I really don't recall her asking for any opinions on the matter. Of course, this is a chat board and these things are bound to happen, but my impression was that she was simply just coming to terms with her loss. And although you might not have been the one doing the "bashing", it did take place...

It doesn't matter what she did or didn't do, the fact is that she came here looking for comfort... not to be put under a microscope and be picked at.

but that's only my opinion...

[Sowelu]

Phoenix B: I agree with what you say except about the part about me knowing that the cat was in the house.....No, I did not know the cat was in the house...Me, my husband, and my kids were bringing the groceries in. I live in a large house so I did not know that the cat had scurried in and went into the den where the bird was. :)

[Myst]

When you post on a public forum you're going to get public opinions.

That's inevitable.

It's also the basis of running a discussion forum - differing opinions and sharing them. There wouldn't be much point if everyone just agreed with everything that is said, huh?

I'm sure if anyone has a problem they will report the post to mods.

[Sowelu]

(Shnen):smooch: :thumbsup:

[Sowelu]

#1....It was a stray-outdoor-cat!
#2.....the cat now lives with a fellow employee of my husbands...happily....with cat lovers....the End.:)

[Phoenix Blue]

**nods** It does change the circumstances if it were a stray that more-or-less slid into the house and got the bird in one fell swoop. . . I mean, that's not something you can really foresee, much less prevent.

I'm glad the cat's found a home. . . and again, I am sorry about your bird. **Soft smile** I'll leave the bird talk to Melysande, though, she's more the expert than I am.

[shnen]

Originally posted by Myst
When you post on a public forum you're going to get public opinions.

That's inevitable.

It's also the basis of running a discussion forum - differing opinions and sharing them. There wouldn't be much point if everyone just agreed with everything that is said, huh?

I'm sure if anyone has a problem they will report the post to mods.

Well I know I won't be coming here for support then... not if people are going t dissect my lfie and try to blame me for it!

I didn't think there was anything to discuss... her bird died.. plain and simple. She just wanted some comfort...

[Phoenix Blue]

Originally posted by shnen
Well I know I won't be coming here for support then... not if people are going t dissect my lfie and try to blame me for it!

I didn't think there was anything to discuss... her bird died.. plain and simple. She just wanted some comfort...
And she got it, just not from everyone. Really, if you don't like what someone has to say, ignore them.

[Myst]

Well don't then. Go to your family or to a support forum.

This is a discussion board. Over 2000+ people. They're going to have vastly different opinions and they're going to share them. *shrugs* It doesn't seem like Jade is upset.

And, Jade, regardless of what happened I sympathize with your loss. Good for you for finding a good home for the cat.

[Sowelu]

And that I shall....(pushes "ignore Illuminatus" button) there..that should take care of that:) :p

[Xander67]

Shnen, You can always come to MW for support and incouragement...Please do not feel as though you cant...

at times, things me get crazy in here but as Myst Pointed out this is a public board... Generally, if a person titles the thread, help needed. or support needed, or something to identify it as a request for energy, usually, no one disrupts the energy in that thread...

BUt that is where the Moderators come in, if anyone feels that a partticular person's comments are out of line, they should pm a moderator and let them know.....

yes, this was about Jade's Bird :( and yes comments were made :( but can we all just hug Jade and get along :)

[Sowelu]

And,
I got alot of very good support from everyone here! People here are very supportive!









(well, almost everyone) It's all good!:)

[Old Witch]

(((((((((((hugs))))))))))) to Jade and shnen!!

[Sowelu]

:wave: :boing: :boing: :boing: :T :boing: :boing: :boing: :T

[Myst]

Xander is spot on :) Also, for future reference, we do have a forum for prayers and asking for energies, it's called Altar of the Ancients, and discussion isn't allowed there like it is in Just Talk :)

[Sowelu]

Mmm Hmm, Okie Dokie! Thanks:)

[Xander67]

Ive got a spot??? where where ??? :eek: :nyah:

[Sowelu]

LOL, here...let me find it for you.....:eek:

[Xander67]

:)

[Illuminatus]

Negative energy should have equal rights of posative energy. It's only fair. Mol, tell them to be more negative!!!

[Xander67]

:eek:

so you mean its a matter of yin and yang??? :) :D

[Sowelu]

:rolleyes:

Did you find your spot Xander? :p

[Myst]

psst find it in Just Silly knob :p

[Sowelu]

:p