a mistake causes death

[Lynjupiter]

I am very very depressed and upset today. I made two little mistakes yesterday that led to tragedy and it is only now I can even write about it. I don't even want to tell anybody about what happened. I am only writing this so others won't make the same mistake.

Yesterday morning on my way out the door I was in a rush. I fed the bird quick before I ran out. When I got home I noticed that the door to one of my tiel cages was open. These tiels were not ones to open there own door. I did not latch it properly in my rush. I noticed my lutino female was missing and started searching the house. After searching for a while I noticed something in the fish tank. To my absolute horror it was Lilly. Some one had left the lid up on the tank. Lilly in her escape flew into the tank and drowned while I was gone.

Open containers of water can prove tragic to birds. If you have a fish tank be aware of how dangerous that tank can be open. Buckets of water , pitchers of water can all prove to be death traps to the escaped bird.

I feel responsible. I should not have been in such a rush. I should have checked the cage. I should have made sure the tank was closed.
Because of my errors a beautiful little girl died a horrible death.
Know the dangers in your house and double check everything on your way out the door.

[TooLover]

OMG sweetie. How awful. I am so sorry - sending big hugs your way. I do thank you for posting so others can learn..........................

[The Outlaw]

Lyn:

Sometimes life gets in the way. I worry all the time about what hazzards I create for my birds. You have learned a hard lesson and believe me, I know you are the BEST when it comes to taking care of birds. Hopefully, this lesson will alert and save hundreds of others from happening. My deepest condolances. I'm so sorry.

THE OUTLAW

[Lynjupiter]

Thanks Laurie and Nancy,
I feel like a real bad bird mom right now. I could hardly sleep last night thinking of her splashing around in that tank desperate and scared. Poor Lilly. The sight of her was heart crushing.
One thing for sure. Once I find a home for my fish the tank is going.
The whole point of even posting my horror was to make sure everyone knows what a death trap fish tanks and open containers of water can be.
Lynda

[Heaven]

I am terribly sorry to hear of such a tragic accident. Thank you for posting the story. I believe it will make us double check ourselves before running out of the house. I am so very sorry Lynda.

[SavvyMoon]

Lyn,

So very sorry about your heartache. I know too well the pain of
losing a bird to an accident. It sucks.
I'm sure you were always very very careful about keeping your birds
safe and healthy. I was too.

This is why I get a little upset with ppl who insist on leaving birds out
and about unattended, or allowing them to play with or interact with
other pets (dogs, cats, etc) in the home without extremely close
supervision at all times.
Because if accidents *can* happen with the most careful person -
someone who is cocky and arrogant about their birds' care *will* have an accident happen, sooner or later. Such a shame.

Again, sorry for your loss. (((((((((((((Lyn))))))))))))))

[HareTrinity]

That's awful...

Trust me, even as a dedicated pet owner with obsessive-compulsive disorder that makes me check most things more than twice, I have lost a fair share of my pets to very unfortunate accidents such as that, and I always felt so responsible for it...

Usually seems to happen to the first or friendliest of pets, too...

But good things usually come just after bad, I've noticed, and much as it's an awful thing to happen, you know that you'll NEVER let it happen again, and that most of your pets live long, happy, lives, right?

If we weren't good pet owners we wouldn't care. We do, and we learn, and our future pets will benefit for it.

I know that I never got over the accidental losses, but I hope that you soon start to again feel the warmth of having your other pets for company, because if there's one thing that pets are good for, it's reminding us that life goes on, and, however difficult, it's wonderful.

[peeker]

Lyn, Oh what can I say? :icon_frow I am soooo sorry for your loss. It was a horrible accident that could happen to any one of us. Thank you for sharing it so that we are reminded to be extra careful. I have a son visiting this month and I feel like I am always following him after he uses the bathroom to be sure the toilet lid is down! I tell him constantly "toilet lids are always closed in a bird home!" :eusa_naug

[Lynjupiter]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and condolences. In six years we have never killed a bird due to carelessness. I was ashamed to be the first one to do it. After all the lectures I give my hubby and kids about bird safety and all the worrying I do.

Yes Peeker. The toilet is a big thing in this house also. Guests are told to make sure the bathroom doors are shut. We shower with my conures. To them an open bathroom door is an invite to bath. My nanday thinks the toilet is really neat. He loves how the water swirls.
Lynda

[melster122]

I am so sorry to hear your news. BIG HUGS from me too.