Peaches has passed

Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
Peaches, my cockatiel, passed away last night. She was 20 y/o and would have been 21 in March.

I don't understand why I am not crying. Perhaps I am still in shock. After I discovered she had passed, I put the cover back on her cage. I then went to wake Skittles up and then I went back to turn the radio on for Peaches and remembered she had passed. I've got a whirlwind of emotions going on right now, perhaps that's why I'm not crying. :grey:
 

Terry57

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I am so sorry for your loss:( Fly free, Peaches, you will be missed.
 
OP
Skittys_Daddy

Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
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I had her for most of her life. She spent her first year with my mom. Then I took her in, I'd had her since 1996.

Her health had been going downhill for several years now and the past 6 months especially.

I showed her to Skittles so he would know. He's been super quiet since. Which is not normal for him when I first wake him up. Skittles never flies into the bedroom unless I am already there. Yet, he's flown into the bedroom several times and landed on her cagetop and crawled down to look for her.
 

mh434

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Oct 28, 2014
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BC, Canada
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Yellow-naped Amazon "Sammy"
Love birds (4)
Green-cheeked Conure "Skittles" - now, sadly gone from my life
Blue-Crowned Conure "Tequila"
African Grey "Reno" - sadly, now gone from my life
I'm so sorry! It's very difficult to lose one so close, and seeing the sense of loss in the other creatures doesn't make it easier. We lost our dog a few weeks ago, and our remaining dog & all the birds are very somber - they not only sense the loss, but our grief as well.

Eventually, the pain will ease and only the wonderful memories will remain. In the meantime, remember that we're all here for you, sharing in your grief.

Rest in eternal peace, Peaches, know you were deeply loved, and will never be forgotten.
 

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
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Johathan, I'm very sorry to hear that your dear friend Peaches has passed. She was very fortunate in your loving care for so long. From reading your posts about Peaches, I believe your emotions at this time are because you were at least subconciously prepared. Virtual hugs to you, as you and Skittles mourn the loss of a beloved friend.
 
OP
Skittys_Daddy

Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
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@Ravensgryf I do think that's why my emotions are the way they are. Because I sort of knew it was coming. But these 'reality checks' I've been going through aren't helping. I keep going to check on her thinking "why is she so quiet?" and "I forgot to turn the radio on for her". It's been less than a day, but I just have sooo many emotions going around in circles.

I guess those actions are automatic. But they still serve only as sudden reminders like little knives.
 

Peppo

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I am sorry you lost your baby. I still say goodnight to my cocketiel every night after loosing him almost 2 years ago. I think mourning is easier when you have no regrets. When you provide a great life you should have none. So smile for her.
 

Allee

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U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Jonathan, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know you must be heartbroken. No matter how long we get to keep these little ones, it's never long enough and we are never ready to say goodby. Those little details in our daily routines hurt so much and remind us how big a space they filled in our hearts. I'm glad you have Skittles to comfort you.

Fly Free Peaches, you will be remembered.
 

Kalel

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Sun conure named Lemon (nickname Moonie) hatched August 28, 2014, BFA Professor Green hatched August 22, 2014, Macaw Flash hatched Sept 15, 2007
So sorry to hear this. Always sad to say goodbye. You and Skittles can keep each other strong. Best wishes.
 
OP
Skittys_Daddy

Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
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Thank you all for the thoughts.

I do feel tormented by a mix of emotions. Part of me is relieved because I've seen her health deteriorate over the past few years (especially the last 6mo) and I don't want to acknowledge that. It makes me feel guilty. But when my parakeet Sammy was sick and the vet told me I should have him put down, I refused. He passed away 2 weeks later and I can't help remember how he suffered because I couldn't say goodbye. I told myself that would not happen with Peaches. I'm grateful to her for sparing me that decision. She always was a self-less bird.

Another part of me thinks I could have done more to prolong her life or make her more comfortable if I had just done this or done that. I know these feelings are normal and I have to remind myself theres only so much we can do. Another part of me thinks she just held on as long as she did for me.

I thought that all the pictures I have of Peaches on my walls would hurt to look at, but they don't. She looks so happy and healthy in those pics. Not like she did the past few months. I am choosing to remember her that way.

When I lost my parakeet Sammy, who was 11 at the time of his passing, I had had Peaches for only four years but we were very bonded and Peaches got me through it. I know Skittles will do the same.

I think even he feels the loss even though they didn't get along. I can't stand my big sister but I'd still be heartbroken if anything happened to her. Well, maybe. j/k

Sorry, I needed the laugh.

I have contacted a local cremation service (well, local as in about 45minutes away). I am hoping they do pick-ups.

It's gonna be an adjustment for me, not having her. I've always had at LEAST two birds ever since I was just a little boy. In fact, just having Peaches and Skittles these past few years was the least amount of birds I've ever had. So it feels weird with it just being him and I. Somehow lonelier.

I don't see myself getting another cockatiel. I love them dearly, but if I ever did it would have to be a male. I don't want to deal with the chronic egg-laying that I have had to deal with Peaches.

I know that her hormones went into overdrive and she had this egg-laying issue prop up which I'm sure contributed to her aging more rapidly.

This all started shortly after when I got Skittles but it's not his fault nor mine. Neither of use anticipated it which is what I keep telling myself.

If I do get another bird, it'll probably be a couple of budgies. I've had so many issues with budgies flying around loose (smashing into things, getting stuck in little burrows etc) that I usually just get a VERY large cage for them to be able to fly around freely. That way I wouldn't have to worry about Skittles "attacking" them. Plus, I love the sound of budgies tweets. BUT, I also have to consider that they'd be likely to get Skittles going. So not sure if that'd work.

I can't get another conure. There is just no way it would work with Skittles. He's too attached to me that I don't see him sharing me with anyone. It wouldn't be fair to the other bird.

Anyways, I told my therapist about this and she is going to see me tomorrow evening for a session and that should help.
 

Hawk

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Dec 5, 2014
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Sorry for the loss, I went through same thing with Trixie, and still to this day
mistakenly call one of my birds Trixie.

I guess we are never really ready to ever say good bye to our babies.
 
OP
Skittys_Daddy

Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
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I can't sleep and I have to get a few things off my chest if I am hopeful too. I have two appts tomorrow that I can't miss. One is with my psych and the other is with my therapist (who is fitting me in at the last minute).

I've never been what one would call "self-confident". I am always doubting myself and finding ways to cut myself down even when I know I've done good or the right thing. There is always a part of me that tries to drag me down.

I don't know if other people here believe in fate, but I do. I didn't always, but after getting Skittles I have no doubt. Too many coincidences led up to getting him as well as things that followed.

A few weeks ago, my psych made a med adjustment to pro-actively help and as a result I've been in better mental health than I have been in years. It just so happens, Peaches passes during this time. It's as if she was waiting to make sure I'd be okay. I really believe that.

In the months leading up to getting Skittles I began to feel extremely lonely. Peaches began to withdraw and I was feeling it. That's when Skittles came along.

I have a friend who is not being as supportive as I thought would happen. Granted, this friend adored Peaches and cannot stand Skittles (though she'll never admit it), and has always given me the impression that I 'replaced' Peaches with Skittles. She doesn't have any pets.

I know there are people here who have dogs. While Peaches was never 'hyper' at any point in her life, she used to be very active and was interactive with me to a point. Then, as she aged, she began to withdraw and that's when Skittles entered the picture. I didn't want to force Peaches to do anything she didn't want too. No more than I want to force Skittles to not want to be with me by keeping him in his cage.

What was I supposed to do? Force Peaches out of the cage and force her to interract with me? Lock Skittles away so I could do this?

Bottom line is this, whenever Peaches wanted or needed something. She got it. She had very few needs so I always put them first. It was only fair. But this friend just doesn't get it.

I know people don't like getting bitten by birds. I never take it personally and I've never 'reacted' to it. It's just who they are. They bite. Simple as that. But Skittles just does NOT like her and never has. I think that is why this friend is so resentful.
 

Mariar

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May 9, 2014
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I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful peaches. And you have friends here that understand and will support you...always. If you ever want to talk you can always pm me.
 
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Scott

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I am so sorry Peaches has passed, Jonathan. The grief felt when our birds pass is deep and takes a long time to process. Eventually the joyous memories will be more frequent than sadness and despair. But I can tell you we never forget our feathered family members.

That your friend cannot comprehend your depth of loss is unfortunate; accept what you can from the relationship as some lack empathy with animals. This is more about you and Skittles, assisted by your therapists.

You express yourself extremely well, and I believe you will emerge from this loss stronger and perhaps more confident. Far better than those who repress feelings of loss and permit them to fester unchecked.
 
OP
Skittys_Daddy

Skittys_Daddy

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2014
2,172
63
Lewiston, Maine
Parrots
Neotropical Pigeon - "Skittles" (born 3/29/10)
Cockatiel - "Peaches" (1995-2015) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sammy"
(1989-2000) R.I.P.
Budgie - "Sandy"
(1987-1989) R.I.P.
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Thank you all so much. I had a hard time sleeping last night, but I got a call from my therapist earlier that she had a cancellation and could see me at 2p so I went and saw her. It was very healing. She herself is an animal lover. She has a goldie named "Jasmine" who is often in the office with her.

I had to cancel my other appt in order to make that one, but it worked out.

I also got a response from my vets office. They do private cremations which is such a relief. I can have it done by Peaches vet and that will be more reassuring.

@Scott You know, it is in tough times that we often find that people express their "true colors". I expected my mom to make a dismissive remark, but she was very empathetic.

My other friend in this building just checked on me a short while ago. I told her how that friend I mentioned in an earlier post was being and she was not surprised.

For the most part, people have been very supportive. I am thankful for that.
 

Kyoto

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I'm so sorry to hear about Peaches :( I know when I found out that my Joey passed away I was a mess. Cockatiels are truly precious birds.

RIP little Peaches.
 

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