A very very sad day

Last night I was harshly reminded of just how fragile our feathered kids are, and how blessed we are to have them for as long as we can.


Monday was a perfectly normal day with Patches. Great appetite, shower, play time, everything. Tuesday morning more of the same minus the shower. My normal routine was interrupted with the impending birth of my second granddaughter. YAY! I stayed home to care for the 3yo big sister while her mom headed for the hospital. The baby finally arrived at 1:24 AM, Wednesday morning. More Yay! About that same time, Patches started running around the floor of the cage, tossing dishes around and shredding the paper. He finally settled down on a low perch. When actual morning came, he was acting like a grumpy punk, and didn't want to come out. I cleaned up the cage, made his breakfast and medicine, and then headed to the hospital to meet my new granddaughter. Super Yay!


A few hours later, I got home to find Patches looking very bad. He hadn't touched his food, and nothing but liquid poop at the bottom of the cage. I got him out, held him close, and called the vet. She wasn't in, so I scrambled to find another vet that would see him ASAP. I found a CAV about an hours drive from me, and headed out. My boy was in dire shape. Extremely dehydrated, very weak, and neurological issues. If he was going to have any chance, he needed to be somewhere that could treat him over night. There is no option near me for that. The vet made some calls, and found the nearest place equipped to treat him in Massachusetts, another hour and a half drive.



We decided to try to get him there, and thought it better to do all the treatment when we got there if he could hold on that long, instead of stressing him any further with needles and tubes and no monitoring during the trip. I wrapped him in his snuggly blanket, sat him in my lap and took off. I held him close, petted him, talked and sang to him, and whistled to him which seemed to perk him up, and he started his content beak grinding for a few minutes. Then the labored breathing started, and he began to try to climb out of the blanket. I loosened it so he could move more freely, and tried to comfort him some more. He let out a few weak screeches, threw his head back, and died in my arms. We were 15 minutes from our destination.



Just like that, my best friend on this planet is gone, and I have no explanation. By all accounts, I was doing everything right. Now I am left kicking myself trying to figure out what I missed. It is very possible that his cholesterol levels took its toll.



My only consolation in all of this is that he was with me at the end, no tubes and needles, he had his forever home after everything he's been through, he was happy, and knew he was so loved.

I am so, so sorry. You gave Patches an amazing life. I remember reading your story from the start, and Patches couldn't have had a better family than you.

You did right by him.

Much love.

I am sorry to read of Patches passing. I think you did everything possible. Please dont beat yourself up. Remember all the good times with Patches.

Patches was so loved by you and your family and so lucky to have you....I have no words. Feathered hugs to you and yours.

This breaks my heart to hear, I always had a special spot in my heart for Patches, I am so sorry.

Oh no. My deepest condolences! I am so sorry! Please don’t beat yourself up, you gave patches a FABULOUS home!

Is a necropsy a possibility? That might help give you a bit of closure.

Oh no, I am so sorry! This breaks my heart for you. You gave him such a wonderful life, filled with love. You couldn't have tried any harder to save him. I am just so sorry.

This is just too sad, I’m so heartbroken for you but at least you were with him at the end. Goodnight Patches

Ohnoes.... what a emotional week for you guys.
So sorry to hear Patches left you (at least for now).


He was not alone and he was loved.
That may not help you much right now- but it made all the difference for him.
Condolances and I wish you all the strenght etc. you need.

I’m so sorry. I know it’s not much comfort, but the fact that one of his last acts on earth was to give happy beak grinding sounds says everything there is to say about his life with you.

Fly free, little Patches.


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My heartfelt tears and condolences for your loss of Patches. He was an amazingly enigmatic boy who captured the hearts of many. You gave him the very best from a wonderful home to a passionate search for answers.

I am so sorry for your loss hope Patches is in a good place now

We are so grateful to have shared just a little bit in Patches' story, and yours. You know how the Missus followed Patches, as so many here did.

Kirby flagged me down with the news. I am just in shock. Yes, you saw Patches out in style and love and goodness. Thank you for sharing. I am just wrecked, but I know Patches passed into Eternity the right way. I just adored your Patches. Bless you, our dear sax-dude.

I'm so sorry for your loss...
You did everything you could to give him a happy and healthy life. The fact that you're willing to drive three hours to give him the best care possible, is one of many signs of your love!

It's sad that he had to go, but I think it's a blessing that he did so in your warm and loving hands.
In my opinion, that's way better than getting a call from the vet that he passed while staying overnight.

Take your time mourning. Remember the happy moments and please, don't beat yourself up feeling guilty.
You are an amazing parront! <3

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My heart aches with you. So very hard to loose our loved ones... I never want to let mine go. I hope you can still find joy in the season and your new grandbaby..

For you, my dear friend:

“All of us feel such deep sadness when our Parrot friends die, and because they are Animals and not Humans, we are at a loss for words. Often, it is only other Parrot owners who can understand the depth of the loss that we feel with this complex, loyal, and loving creature. Resulting from such a loss, I have placed feelings and emotions into words and found verse to console the loss of my Cleo and since her, other sweet Amazons, in turn; I hope it will speak for all of you.” - Steven

You left this world so quickly. I can hardly comprehend your leaving. Yet there, in my hands, your still body rested — no longer your home. So much I have learned, so much you have taught, your purpose a full measure beyond your size. Comprehensions of your loss still a mist but yet, I know you are whole and happy - now beyond Rainbow Bridge. And so busy you must be upon your green wings, guiding angles to those of us yet to cross. With in my ear, I still hear you, those special sweet sounds of comfort and contentment:

“Do not stand by my grave and weep my friend.
I am not here. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the gentle summer rain.
When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry my friend.
I am not there. I did not die.”

My pray for you my beloved feathered friend:

“May your body nourish this earth.
May your soul find release and contentment.
May you fly high and free upon wings of spirit.
Rest in peace little green one.”

The love and tender warmth of you is a un-full-fill-able void.
I do so much thank-you for creating a space for another, a special place next to yours’.

In remembrance of Cleo, (Estimated) Spring 1959 - May 2003

Amazon’s Have More Love!
Sources: Cheyenne Warrior Blessing, The Amazona Society’s Forum, Steven (SailBoat)

Thank you for sharing that Steven, that is absolutely beautiful. Please forgive my sobbing again. I'm so blessed to have friends here that understand.

Patches was my first to have bonded with so closely, the one that truly chose me in a sea of other birds, the one who became part of my whole soul. Feathers or not, he was the most perfect friend I could have asked for.

Thank you everyone for your kind words, it means a lot. It's going to take me a while to make sense of it all and re-make my daily routine. Almost lost it at the grocery store last night. I went to get things for supper, and produce is the first section as you enter. I started heading there because I was out of red peppers, then realized I didn't need to get any more. They were his favorite. (next to pomagranates for treat days)

I am so very sorry for your loss!