Update on LOST whiteface cockatiel in Chicago

[Katie and the gang]

Hi guys,
last two days were heartbreaking. I posted around 200 more flyers, I do Craig's list every day...nothing.
Yesterday something great happened...I received a call from a reporter for Chicago Sun Times - ad section called Pioneer Press. They do ads for over 37 towns in Chicago area. the guy said they've received numerous calls from public about my flyers, some other reporter pointed out my Craig's list ad, so they would be interested to hear Twinkie's story. So I did interview with him. I sent himTwinkie's pictures adnthe pics of our found Quaker as well.
In the end he asked me what message I want to leave for Chicagoans - I said " PLEASE people, I want you know that birds are pets like dogs and cats. They are loved, cherished, loving and sweet as much as your dogs or cats. Please, if you find a bird, don't go buy a cage. Try to find his owner, because there's always somebody who cries and misses this little feathered birdie. He/she has own family that is devastated and it's looking for him. Please, post an ad on Craig's list or in your newspaper, or just leave your info in the nearest vet.etc"
So now I hope more people will read it, more people will understand. And maybe somebody already has Twinkie and will call me.

Also yesterday we had first three pranks. First one kid called from private number. Then at 10 pm another girl called claiming they've found Twinkie on their doorstep. The address she gave me was 2 minutes from my house. She called from private number, but left me a phone number - not existing one. I was shaking from joy...when we came to the house, the owners didn't know anything about a kid or bird. They were young people with a dog...
And around 2 am some drunk called, I drove over there and there was no bird...I'm so down right now. Why people do things like this?
It's heartbreaking...

Thank you for all your prayers. We need them all.

Hugs,
sad Katie.

[catschair]

I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time. Although you may never know the details, I am betting you have brought more than one bird home to its family through your efforts & I am a firm believer that everything comes back in good time. Kind regards,

[Katie and the gang]

Thank you so much...
I feel exhausted and so sad. It's night again and I just keep imagining my little spoiled baby out there in the dark - scared to death, harassed by wild birds, maybe hurt . Last ten days were hell, I lost 10 pounds and I keep blaming myself for not noticing the screen was ripped out...
I'm all alone with this, because almost none of my friends understand. I hung all 700 flyers by myself and I caught some bug out there. I had fever last two days, so I didn't hung more than 70 - 80 flyers...what is nothing.
I pray I will find him. I miss him so much .

Katie

[macattack]

ppor birdie... don't give up... I've heard of people finding them weeks later. just keep searching. My grey flew away last year. and i found him by constantly calling and whistling to him. it was a terrible time. and i know the feeling... heartwrenching. guilty. almost to the point of nausea...

how tame is he? will he go to a person? did he know how to fly before he took off?

[Bonesy]

It saddens be when prankers feel the need to get a kick of other peoples misery.

Chin up, keep hope in your heart & be strong for her, it's what she'd want right now.

I'll be keeping everything crossed for you :)

[Katie and the gang]

Thank you guys,
your prayers make me feel a lot better. Yes, Twinkie knows how to fly...it's not good news for me, but at least he can fly away from danger. And yes - he's very tame. He can be leary about hands, but he will land on any head. He just loves sitting on the heads.
I pray somebody has him and they will soon see my flyers or article...

Thank you for all your support.

Katie

[DianaRae]

Katie,

My heart goes out to you. I can honestly say I do understand your pain.

It has been almost 2 months now that I lost Marvin. I have had several calls about 'found' african greys none were him. I have had many 'leads' that went no where.

There is one new 'lead' that still is kind of in 'the works'. A lady called me Wednesday April 28th week who saw my ad. She said her 'friend' knew someone- that heard about someone -that had a friend- that found an african grey. She could give me no name, no phone. She told me she would get more information when the 'friend' that told her all of this got home from her trip the following Monday, April 2nd.

I had to sit on my hands for 5 long grueling days to wait for this woman to get home. When she did, the only info she knew was this man goes every friday night to a restaraunt in the next town over and has a white beard and white hair and he either found it or knew who did.

I contacted the owner of the restraunt and he was very nice. He had his manager inform the staff. It turned out they know of this guy as he does come in every Friday night with his wife.

I was going to go there personally last night, but thought about it. How would someone react while you were sitting at dinner and a total stranger walked up and started to quiz you about a found bird? So, I talked to the owner again. He agreed that I should write a 'heart-felt' letter and include my flyer and pictures which I did and dropped them off in an envelope. The manager promised to make sure he got them.

Today, Saturday, I have heard nothing. Not from the man, not from the manager & when I tried to call the manager she is out of town until Monday.

I guess next Friday night I know where I will be sitting all night. Just on the off chance this man shows up. And Monday my first call will be to the Manager of the restaraunt.

All I want to know is if it is him. I just want to know he is alive.

Talk about being down. The sadness is so overwhelming sometimes.

[Katie and the gang]

Oh Diane,
I'm so sorry. I'm thinking about you and your baby every day. I pray for both of us...
Yes, you're right. It's one of the worst things what happened to me in my whole life. I feel so helpless, scared all the time, my stomach hurts...
I can't exist normally. We were supposed to buy a house...I don't care anymore. The only thing I can think about is my Twinkie.
Yesterday I received a call from another "lost bird" family. Their tiel got lost the same day like my Twinkie. I contacted them and we promised each other to call with every news. You never know what another bird you can find on your journey.
So this very nice man called yesterday that Paprika was found dead two streets down and their dearch is over. The neighbor found him last week, but noticed the flyer just yesterday. So they didn't have a chance to bury him . But at least they have a closure. They will grieve, but they will move on. I'm still shaking imagining my boy hurt or worse. And there's a chance I will never know . That thought rips my heart out...
I'm crying rivers again.
Diane, I will pray for your Marvin as well. Let's hope God will help us. I've read so many stories about reuniting. 90% of the people gave up after few days and their birds were found. Why our babies can't be found? What have we done wrong?
Also I'm being harassed by a teenager again. Tonight she called three times. The second time she was whispering " I got your bird. I ATE it. It's cut into pieces" or something like that. I cut her off. What kind of person does something like that? I just hope that a big reward will prevent them from hurting my boy...

Hugs and prayers,

Katie.

[DianaRae]

What kind of person does that you ask? A very sick person. Someday, somewhere, sometime, something will happen to her when she is an adult. Maybe she will remember how cruel she was to a woman who was in such pain.

I agree with you. I read about the 'reuniting' as well. I did everything I was supposed to do. I started looking 1/2 hour after he got out (I was at work). I drove home like the wind when my husband called me. I searched hour upon hour, day after day. I had flyers printed and posted posted the very next morning. I went everywhere, called everyone, did everything...

I stopped praying at night that God would bring him home, but only that if he is alive he is safe.

That's what I want as well, just closure. I love my baby. I miss him so much. The not knowing is what keeps me searching and hurting so very much.

[Machelle]

Originally Posted by catschair

I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time. Although you may never know the details, I am betting you have brought more than one bird home to its family through your efforts & I am a firm believer that everything comes back in good time. Kind regards,

I totally agree.

Katie, dont let the prank calls get to you. I know that is easier said than done, but getting upset only gives them power. I would tell them that you have their number and your filing harrassment charges. It doesn't have to be true, but if they think it is true, maybe the calls will stop. And giving more exposure may bring him home. You never know. When my parents conure, Tazz, got loose, they hung up flyers all over and as it turned out, he was hanging out at a county fair barn because of all of the food they had there. Someone saw the flyers and called my folks. I have never seen my dad cry so hard in all of my life. Dont give up, Sweetie. As a matter of fact, on another board I am on, someone just received a call asking info about a bird she lost 2 YEARS ago and so far it looks like it may be the one. I haven't heard for sure yet, but I am hoping. In the mean time, just think how much good you are doing for others by doing that interview.

Diana, the same goes for you. Please dont give up. Both of you are in my prayers. *hugs*