Polly, the Orange Wing Amazon

[Lisa B]

This is a story about the passing of a dear friend and companion. Her name was 'Polly'. I adopted this little Orange winged Amazon back in 1990, or should I say she adopted me? The story begins with a customer of mine telling me that her daughter had birds. This conversation was ongoing each week for months. One day she asked me If I could 'place' the two tiels her daughter had cause she was going to have a baby. I happily agreed, knowing that I could find them a good home. I had mentioned that if they wanted to ever 'place' the Amazon, I would happily give her a home. A few months later I got the phone call I was waiting for...they said to come pick her up. Nervous about my first large bird being an Amazon, I was terrified of her. They gave me a large leather glove to handle her. I walked around with that glove, still terrified to give her my hand. When I would place her on the back of the couch, guests would, jump up in fear. I moved to a dowel from the glove, and so did 'Polly'. She never showed any signs of aggression, so about 6 months later, I bravely gave her my hand. She eagerly hopped right up. I was amazed, I couldn't wait to show everyone how much we have progressed together. Looking back after having numerous Large species of Parrots pass through my life, I realize “Polly” did not have a nasty feather on her.
She was definitely the sweetest Amazon I have ever come in contact with. I was not nervous to hand her to anyone. She would hop up on anyone's hand, and look around nervously for her 'mom'. Polly was about 30 years old, that I could safely say. Not old for an Amazon, but old in the statistics of the average Amazon, because of human neglect. I know I gave her the best of care that I could, and probably prolonged her little life by years. But being selfish about her, she didn't spend enough time in my life.
She didn't talk, she didn't have to. I feel she didn't have anything to say, but I loved her just the same. The only problem with her was every once in a while she would start to scream. The only way to quiet her was to dance with her. As soon as you would start to sway, so would she. That would keep her content.

I recently moved, and she had been underweight for some time. No matter what I tried to feed her, she was very picky. I think the stress of the move and her physical condition added to her poor health. In my 23 some odd years of living with birds, I've come to learn the differences between a sickness and old age.
One night, I heard some noise coming from the bird room. I jumped up to find Polly lying on the cage floor, crying. I thought because she had always shown the lack of full use in her right foot, that she fell off her comfort perch. I went to pick her up to check her and she was stiff. She was alive, but was having a seizure. The look in her eyes terrified me and brought me immediately I to tears. I cradled her in my arms, and I think we both cried. She seemed to regain strength, and I placed her back in her cage. She fought bravely to climb back up to her perch, but I saw how difficult it was for her. I placed her in a carrier with a towel and moved her right next to my bedside. Neither of us slept. She had numerous seizures throughout the night. Each time I would grab her and hold her, only placing her back in the carrier for the fear I would fall asleep and hurt her.
The next morning I had hoped it was all a bad dream. I called my vet and explained the situation. I placed Polly back in her cage and she ate. She was not herself, but certainly not the same as the night before. The day went well. I still did not leave her side all day. Then nightfall,another night I wish I could erase from my memory. The seizures started and never seemed to end. She screamed, cried and had the most gut-wrenching look in her eyes. I was hysterical. I held her most of the night and whenever she was in her carrier, I had my hand outstretched in there with her, just to let her know that she was not alone.
In the morning after a horrible night, I once again called my vet. I knew my own heart was saying I can’t put her down, My head was telling me it was not fair to Polly. Her eyes reminded me of her excruciating pain.
I had a friend drive me to the Vet, For this was something I could not do on my own. I held her close to my heart the whole time until they took her from my arms. I whispered to her that I loved her and I was sorry I couldn’t help her anymore. I told her that she was a good little girl, and I hoped she thought I was a good mom.
Polly is buried in my dad's backyard, because that will always be my home. She is beneath an evergreen tree, with another feathered friend and my first bird, 'Tweety'. I can always look out there and say "Hi".
Every once in a while, I'll go to my birdroom door and start to dance, looking for that little green head bobbing back at me, and I realize she's not there. I'll smile as my eyes fill up with tears and say under my breath, "I miss you Polly". The rest of my flock Looks at me like I’m crazy. I wonder If they miss her too. I know Harley, My DYH Amazon misses his playing buddy. You can see the emptiness in his eyes, and he is eerily quiet.

So I hope that everyone who reads this is reminded

that sharing your lives with birds is certainly a Privilege, and if its any kind of labor besides a labor of love,then you shouldn't own birds!!

One of my privileges has been taken away for good.
She will never be forgotten, by me or anyone else's life she's touched.

[Lauria]

ohhh...i just cried when i ready this. what a wonderful story. Of course you were the best mom! that sweet bird had all the love in the world. and of course, she is waiting for you on the other side of the rainbow bridge.

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[mrs_ford]

Lisa B and Lauria...you both had such wonderful postings...its too bad it had to be about something so sad. I know this is a couple months after you have posted...but I just joined this group yesterday.

At the moment my budgie Sprite is spending the night at the vets. She was eggbound and there were some complications so they are keeping her for the night. Its 3:30am and I can't sleep. All I can think about is if sprite is ok. I know that there is a very good chance that she may not be with me anymore.

The story about the rainbow bridge touched my heart. Thank you so much for the post.

Praying I will hear Sprite's happy chirp again.

[Lisa B]

mrs_ford

We are praying for a speedy recovery for sprite~~!!

[mrs_ford]

Thank you so much. I guess your praying worked. I just got off the phone with the animal hospital and Sprite is still around and fiesty as ever. Hopefully things will be ok from now on...I will find out when I talk to the vet when I go and pick her up.

[Lisa B]

great!! keep us posted!!!

[mrs_ford]

Well..Sprite seems to be acting her old self. She is on medication for the next 10 days. The sad news is I have to separate her from her mate Pixie. I really don't want to do this but the vet says that Sprite is likely to continue having this problem so it would probably be the best thing.