A Rescue Story

[Freedomoflight]

This is a truly heartbreaking story. Please read. I am also including a link that has recent updates on "Bo". *warning, tissues will be needed
*this is from another forum...

Hello, I am a newly registered member, and wanted to post about a petstore bird. Everything will be explained in the post, and I just feel like his story needs to be seen throughout the bird community. There may be a link to another site or two, and my intention is not to promote those sites, it's to tell about this bird and his life.

First post regarding this bird:
*pictures are graphic, only view if you have a strong stomache
QUOTE
http://photobucket.com/albums/v632/M...t=677dcc96.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v632/M...t=bb96ff79.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v632/M...t=bf0438de.jpg

Nice pics, eh? That's my hand petting this bird; I have large hands so that may give you an idea of the size of this wound. If not ... I guesstimate this wound may be about 4 in x 4 in. He is living in a stockroom/storage room. Dumped at this crappy pet store I keep my eye on due to horrid living conditions the animals are kept in.

Owner got married. Owner LEFT the bird for a 3 week honeymoon to live on a bowl of food, 2 bowls of water and NO toys. Owner comes back to a plucked bird. Owner is upset that how dare this bird react this way to her taking some time for herself. Owner dumps the bird at the store and the bird goes from plucking to mutilating.

This bird was not meant to be seen by anyone. I just happened to be walking by as an employee was exiting the store room and saw the bird. I pushed my way into the room exclaiming, "oh I'd like to see THIS bird." Employee tells me stuttering and stammering the story finishing w/ nobody is supposed to be back here. I had already scoped out the store for the manager and not seeing her I acted like I knew the manager throwing out the manager's name which relaxed the girl and left me w/ the bird. I went to get Larry to show him and to get him to take a few pics w/ the camera phone (the reason for the poor quality pics ... believe me the wound is MUCH worse than it looks). My NON-BIRD husband saw this bird and welled up w/ tears. He has always avoided the trips to see birds in this shape before. This was my husband's first time seeing such a hole. He exclaimed, "OMG, that's MY Peaches (meaning same species."

A light when on in my husband's head last night as to WHY I fight and scream for these birds, WHY I am anti-breeding, WHY I obsess over my birds. The homeless parrot level never made him understand, mild mutilations that he has seen in my home he has never understood ... but you know they were never a "Peaches bird". Peaches is my M2 that ADORES my husband, that worships my husband, and that my husband likes back (Peaches and Kayla are "his birds".) .... my husband saw our Peaches in that bird. My husband understands now.

I'll be contacting this store to try to get this bird out. I already know they paid nothing for it so they won't be out any money. The bird is in dire need of medical care. Not only from this hole that is oozing pus but the bird is severely underweight, and is having VERY wet sneezing problems. They have sought no medical care for this bird. It is on Ornabac and under a heat lamp. My HUSBAND who has always asked me if I can please stop fostering, please stop taking in birds ... made me promise that I will contact this store today and see if I can do anything for this bird (not that I wouldn't have if he didn't ask). My husband WANTS me to take in this bird and try to mend it. My husband WANTS me to spend the money to mend this bird.

This is a bittersweet moment for me ... my husband who always buried his head and refused to see the things I'd go to see and try to fix FINALLY understands. My husband ASKED me to help this bird because in this bird he saw "his" Peaches. He understands now and is asking questions that he has never asked before. He is listening to stories I have tried telling him in the past of birds I have seen and I just got the eye-roll or a sigh. My husband saw the heartbeat of this bird ... how can you not ... w/ the feathers gone and 1/2 the flesh it was hard not too. My husband understands ... at least for today what I have been trying to tell/show him for years. He saw in this bird's eyes the gentleness and the soul of Peaches and cried.

I hope I can get this bird out of that storage room .... this strange bird who so trustingly laid his head into a stranger's hand and looked into my eyes, this unknown, unloved bird that will most likely die in that storage room if medical help is not sought.

I'm so tired of my heart being broken by strangers, by people who can take THEIR bird and dump it and it's my heart that breaks for the bird. I'm such a bitter, surly person ... but my God I love these birds. How many times can a person's heart break before one dies of a broken heart or before you go numb? Did I cry on the outside ... no, I'm to used to this scene (sad that one can USED to seeing this, huh?) but inside I broke into a million pieces yet again ....

Please cross your fingers, say a prayer, whatever you believe in that works for you. Don't do it for me for I may fail at helping this bird but please send all your healing energies to this storage room bird that at this time literally has nothing more than a wing and a prayer of making it.

Thanks for letting me "talk".


Second post regarding this bird:

QUOTE
Well, I'm back. It was not good news but not bad news. I don't have the bird but I am still working on it. My tongue is bleeding from holding back my anger but being I did not get a definite NO I had to remain calm for this bird's sake (they call him BoBo, they forgot what his name is).

The manager has promised this bird to a friend of hers. When I asked why then was the bird sitting in a storage room I was told because they can't have a bird that looked like that on the floor and that the man does not have the money for a cage so is saving for it. (My immediate thoughts are if the guy is saving for a cage how is the bird going to get immediate medical attention or WHY has the guy not had the bird seen by a vet and then return him to the store. Couldn't say that though because it is her friend.). She told me she would talk to the guy and tell him that I am willing to take the bird and that the guy loves birds and would want what is best for him. I said well if that is true let me take the bird NOW. I have a carrier out in the car, my vet has been notified and that I would even be willing to stop back by and report what the vet had to say. She said she couldn't do that to her friend that he has first option. She also said that in her opinion the bird did not need medical attention. That he is still eating ... UGH.

"BoBo" was worse today then he was yesterday. Today the wound was a bit larger it also had an "abscess" about the size of a dime. While I was there feeding "BoBo" he bit it open and bloody pus ran down his chest and dripped all over the perch he was on. He stood like a beaten down race horse that has been run until it's spirit was broken ... you know, legs splayed, head hanging. I sat w/ him for several hours. When I had to leave ... bless his heart he tried acting frisky as if to entertain me so I would stay a bit longer but he is so weak he'd start falling over.

I told him I'd be back and stuck my fingers thru the bars for one last rub. He put his ear against my fingers and as I pet him he sighed and said in a breathy voice, "you are a good bird" that almost made me cry. I told him YES you are a good bird, the best bird and that I wasn't leaving because he was a bad bird. I showed him my photo album of my birds and said that I was going home to take care of my babies but I promised I would be back. I know he probably understood little of what I was saying but explaining it to him made me feel a little better for walking out on him ... it gave me an "excuse".

I failed today, but I will be back tomorrow to try again. I also plan on calling my vet to see if I can get her down to the store .. doubtful but I'll try ... maybe if nothing else a phone call. Maybe if by Friday I am still failing ... do you think the news would be interested? Every day that goes by I fear that this bird is one step closer to dying. I'll pull anything and everything I can think of but I am so afraid I will fail ...

I'll be at the store every day until either they give in, the guy gets "BoBo", they call the cops on me for harassment, or BoBo passes.

Oh, one more great thing ... "BoBo's" owner did call the store before dumping him off to make sure that they would take her plucked, RED CRESTED MACAW.

OK, well my head is splitting, my stomach feels like I ate glass for lunch, and my hands are shaking. I do not do well holding in my anger like I had to do today. I'll post if I have any kind of an update ... if you don't see one it will be safe to assume I failed again that day too. I won't give up but I feel so horrible that I failed for "BoBo" today.

BTW, I took a few more pics but not sure how clear they are. If they are any better I will post them. Maybe tomorrow I will try to get my camera in there for better pics.



Here is the thread with these quotes and more: Meet Bo

Also here is another with some of his updates:
Bo's updates

Then here is the latest news:

[Freedomoflight]

Part 2
QUOTE

Bo's histology report came in. He has osteosarcoma. The abscess/tumor was actually the cancer forming it's own bone if I understood her correctly through the tears. I have to go up there for a bandage change so we can cover where he re-mutilated (this is an unscheduled visit his real visit is Fri the 9th).

Chemo is not really an option for it is very hard on birds. There is very slight chance that my vet removed it all and the only way to tell for sure is a cat scan. My vet does not have a cat scan machine and the one she would be using is located at an animal hospital that is not experienced in birds. She and a tech would have to travel to do the anesthesia. The cat scan to see if there is any detectable cancer is $1200 guesstimate.

As those of you whom i have been e-mailing w/ regarding Bo know .... this bird and I have a very special bond that I do not even share w/ my other birds. I do not know what it is ... it's like our souls have met in the past. The idea of fostering him and giving me up was killing me; now I would give anything to know that he would of had a long and happy life in a home that loved him. I feel so lost and helpless ...

I will pick up a copy of the histology report when I go. I will scan it in and post it. If any of you have any REALLY, REALLY experienced vet's please share the report w/ them. Please ask if there is anything to do for Bo aside from chemo.

Bo LOOKS so happy and is LOOKING healthier ... I can not believe life can be so cruel. Has this poor soul not been thru enough?? I'm angry ... birds SELDOM get cancer .... WHY BO ? How ironic ... I thought part of my attachment to Bo was because of his name being the same as my dog Bo who I lost to cancer .... now I will one day lose this Bo. These birds are supposed to outlive me. Bo is the sweetest most gentle soul I have EVER met ... including my own birds. No bird deserves this. I'm confused and rambling I am sorry.

I have stepped out of the closet in where Bo is because I seriously don't think that the pet store will be breathing down my neck for this bird. This bird that did not need medical attention .... Would Bo's prognosis been any better had I found him sooner? God I hope not for I could not handle finding out that things could of been different. Why is all I can ask right now ... why?

For those who may be new here are some background threads in the order of events.

http://www.skarlettsweb.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3218

http://www.skarlettsweb.com/forums/v...a2151f5a55f95a

http://www.skarlettsweb.com/forums/v...a2151f5a55f95a

May the pain and suffering that Bo has endured and will endure be placed upon his breeders. Sorry but I am full of hate today ... hate for breeders and pain for this precious bird. May Bo's story live on in everyone's memory even after he is gone.



And one of the last ones:

QUOTE
Quote:
I think many of us are emotionally invested in Bo to this point, and I hope I can speak for a few when I say that I'm interested in the vet's prognosis. If you decide that there's a fair chance, then I'll commit to helping you raise money to meet the costs. :End Quote


Buffy, I know you are as are others and I can not say thank you enough. Right now the only plan of action is getting a second opinion on the histology/pathology tissue cells. Labs have been wrong in the past so let's all pray that this is one of those times !! We have to keep up w/ the positive thoughts and energy for Bo.

If after the second opinion it still reads as Osteosarcoma then the next step will be the CAT Scan. As EM said it often starts in a joint/bone area such as the wing. W/ a CAT Scan we will be able to see the areas of infection. For all we know he may have cancer only in the wing (as an example) and the mass removed from his abdomen was his "second infection". IF my vet got all the infected tissue and the only other area that shows cancer is a wing (again as an example) we can do an amputation. No, he may never know the joy of flight but he will know the joy of a happy life. There are many happy (by definition of happy for a captive bird)birds out there w/ only 1 wing.

This type of cancer is very aggressive so if it is this and if it is in many places Bo's time will be very limited. It is one of the most painful cancers there are and we can not allow him any suffering for he has been through enough. So time will be of the essence. I am already pretty pissed that the tissue was sent on the 11/23 and was not done until 12/5.

This type of cancer also has a high chance of recurrence. If we win round one and he should ever develop it again I will make the decision to let him go in peace.

So the game plan as of right now is to get a second opinion and if it proves to be this cancer to proceed w/ the CAT scan. If it proves that the lab was wrong .... well we all buy a bottle of champagne, set up a time to meet in chat and we get drunk and celebrate a miracle !!

Please everyone be strong for Bo! Thank you all so much, you all have been a huge support group and source of comfort to Bo and I. Thank you.

[Freedomoflight]

Wesbites where you can read about updates on Bo-
http://www.birdtoydiscounter.com/sunshop/

[volvobirds]

that is so heartbresaking to read of the things this poor Too has to deal with. and to think the store manager thought he was fine as long as he was eating! that makes me want to go throttle her. Bo seems like such a sweet Too that has had to deal with alot more wrongful treatment than he should have. I am so glad for his sake that the lady decided to take him to foster. now he can have a chance at a loving home and life, something that was clearly missing.

it also gave me knowledge about the M2's and cancer, which I had not known was such a big issue and I will be extra extra vigilant in making sure Peaches remains healthy.

reading about Bo and his story makes your heart hurt.

[Rue]

...I'll be the devil's advocate here...

I personally see this as a double-case of animal cruelty.

In the first instance the bird was severely neglected due to selfishness and apathy.

In the second case the bird is being abused under the umbrella of 'rescue'. Just because we can undertake a battery of procedures to prolong life doesn't mean it's the right or humane thing to do.

The 'right' thing to have done, IMO, was to give the bird as good a home as possible with min. intervention, and then to euthanize it when the time was right instead of prolonging the suffering of the animal.

This is just horribly wrong.

[smallonion]

I hope you get this bird home to your house. This bird needs you. You are amazing. My thoughts are with you.

[mcbaes72]

What a terrible story. Neglected bird and now w/ possilbe cancer, too? I'm marking this thread because I hope somewhere, somehow there IS a happy ending to all this madness.

[Alika]

Unfortunately, I think this is all too common amongst pet birds. Rescue stories like this are almost becoming cliche, which is just awful.

It really makes you see how important education really is when it comes to buying and owning pet birds.

[Freedomoflight]

Here is an update-
12/4/05
BO HAS CANCER - Written by his caretaker

Bo's histology report came in. He has osteosarcoma. The abscess/tumor was actually the cancer forming it's own bone if I understood her correctly through the tears. I have to go up there for a bandage change so we can cover where he re-mutilated (this is an unscheduled visit his real visit is Fri the 9th).

Chemo is not really an option for it is very hard on birds. There is very slight chance that my vet removed it all and the only way to tell for sure is a cat scan. My vet does not have a cat scan machine and the one she would be using is located at an animal hospital that is not experienced in birds. She and a tech would have to travel to do the anesthesia. The cat scan to see if there is any detectable cancer is $1200 guesstimate.

As those of you whom i have been e-mailing w/ regarding Bo know .... this bird and I have a very special bond that I do not even share w/ my other birds. I do not know what it is ... it's like our souls have met in the past. The idea of fostering him and giving me up was killing me; now I would give anything to know that he would of had a long and happy life in a home that loved him. I feel so lost and helpless ...

I will pick up a copy of the histology report when I go. I will scan it in and post it. If any of you have any REALLY, REALLY experienced vet's please share the report w/ them. Please ask if there is anything to do for Bo aside from chemo.

Bo LOOKS so happy and is LOOKING healthier ... I can not believe life can be so cruel. Has this poor soul not been thru enough?? I'm angry ... birds SELDOM get cancer .... WHY BO ? How ironic ... I thought part of my attachment to Bo was because of his name being the same as my dog Bo who I lost to cancer .... now I will one day lose this Bo. These birds are supposed to outlive me. Bo is the sweetest most gentle soul I have EVER met ... including my own birds. No bird deserves this. I'm confused and rambling I am sorry.

I have stepped out of the closet in where Bo is because I seriously don't think that the pet store will be breathing down my neck for this bird. This bird that did not need medical attention .... Would Bo's prognosis been any better had I found him sooner? God I hope not for I could not handle finding out that things could of been different. Why is all I can ask right now ... why? May the pain and suffering that Bo has endured and will endure be placed upon his breeders. Sorry but I am full of hate today ... hate for breeders and pain for this precious bird. May Bo's story live on in everyone's memory even after he is gone
Most recent updates:

12/16/05 - Bo is growing in a few belly feathers but he got over zealous when his collar was removed so he could preen and made two bleed today. The collar is back on and I will only be removing it when he is sitting on my lap so I can watch him preen. You should be able to see the new feathers in the picture I sent. He is eating one of his favorite foods; organic baby carrots ... they MUST be served raw!! His other favorite snack is almonds and those MUST be in the shell. So between the nut oil and carrots his new growth should be soft and very peachy. The fact that he loves Harrison's pellets is a huge plus also.
He tried to bomb me today as I was picking up potty papers around his cage. He was watching me and as soon as my head was under his bottom he released a "bomb". I moved just in time for it to hit the floor and he cocked one eye at me and said, "I'm a good birdie." LOL. Bo has a rather good vocabulary for a Molly and some of the video clips that I sent to Bird Toy Discounter has him speaking, some very clearly others rather muffled.
I am completely beside myself w/ the original lab that did the reading. I will not go into detail about it know because "I still need them" but once this is over I have a few words to say about them. It's bad enough living this nightmare but some people really know how to make it worse.
I develop mental milestones that I hope to see w/ Bo one day. The first is him to come out of "Q" and get to meet my other birds, especially my other 2 M2s. The second is too see him in feathers. The biggest is hoping he is w/ us so that he can go outside and enjoy the spring air and sunshine. I do not make far reaching milestones for I do not want to delude myself .... so we are sticking to happy and hopefully attainable ones.

12/18/05 - This was a difficult weekend for us as we lost one of our dogs to a neighbor's 2 large dogs. He was attacked, carried away and killed in the woods. It's very difficult to mourn with you have a flock of cockatoos in the house. While my other birds selfishly screamed and complained that they weren't getting enough attention or their food wasn't right on time...Bo was his usual quiet and sweet self. When I went to my computer to read emails and look at happy photos of my dog that was killed, Bo came over to sit on me. He preened my hair and fixed my eyebrows ever so gently. I can honestly say I've never known a sweeter cockatoo. He is not selfish or demanding like most other cockatoos. He's modest, sensitive and meek. I'll be forever amazed by him.
** edit- for some updates pics of Bo, and to see how far he has come and wonderful he looks, go to http://www.birdtoydiscounter.com/sun...tion=toy_drive ****

[wildirish]

The 'right' thing to have done, IMO, was to give the bird as good a home as possible with min. intervention, and then to euthanize it when the time was right instead of prolonging the suffering of the animal.

This is just horribly wrong.

Bo is in a wonderful home with a very wonderful lady! He is getting the best care, and she does understand that she may have to make a very hard choice. He is not being abused under the umbrella of "rescue". Two women that I know saved this bird and took him to the vets. She will do what is best for Bo, even though it is breaking her heart! As someone who has been involved with rescue, I could never just provide minimal care and then simply euthanize, I would bend over backwards to fix things first.

That would be like telling someone with cancer to only recieve minimal care and then be humanely killed. While I agree that quality vs quanity is a hard line, but this person will make the choices that need to be made when neccessary.

I personally would do everything in my power to save one of my birds!