Like loosing a piece of your heart!

[rjcioffi]

Emma was with me for over sixteen years. He was the most amazing spirit I've encountered so far in my own life. No, he wasn't mad at being named Emma. That happened early on before he was sexed. Esmeralda, little green diamond, was the original given name, but then shortened to Emma. He answered to it.

Right away he became the cagemate and life long partner to my Sun Conure, Baby. They were inseparable. Except when Emma needed some out of cage time. That time was lovingly, frantically devoted to me. He insisted,demanded, to perch on my glasses where he was able to slide his beak under my hairline and nestle. He would stay there for hours.

We moved often for my work. My parrot clan always travelled with me by car. Emma in the travel carrier next to me, would hang upside down from the bars on the lid of the carrier. He would watch me eagle eyed as we made time on the interstate, racking up over 10,000 miles on the road.

He loved all our homes,Princeton, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Boston. I didn't matter to him as long as he was with his flock and his dad. Of my five parrots, he was the one who was accident prone. He broke his right leg twice, jumping off his cage, despite clipped wings, trying to reach me by sheer determination. Last year after Katrina, he broke a wing. The little guy mended quickly despite refusing to wear his caste for very long. Like a feathered Houdini, he was out of them in five minutes. But, Dr. Rich was able to fashion a ninja brace that stayed on long enough to allow the bone to fuse.

This year we moved back to Los Angeles. He was doing well enough on his own to manage in a small counter top cage along with Baby who always was ready to help preen and 'mother' him. However, I awoke a few days ago to make my way downstairs only to hear rustling on the bottom of their cage. There was Emma in a ball on the cage bottom. I am not really sure, but I believe he fell off his perch in his sleep and landed on his neck.

I cradled him on my chest as I called into the animal hospital. He passed away in my arms before we set out for treatment. He was in shock, but just before he passed he opened his eyes, looked at me, spread his wings, and weakly mumbled his favorite phrase "pretty Baby". Then he was gone.
I haven't stopped crying since.

He was only four inches tall but he would march up to Zac my African Grey and sqwak him out and nip his toes if the Grey was out of line. He thought he was ten feet tall. He had so much personality, and he cared for his family. The little guy was the epitome of unconditional love. He was special.

I will always have a piece of my heart that is missing for my little Em.

[Graehstone]

No one truly understands till they have been there themselves. My heart goes out to you and at the same time I am envious of the amount of time that the two of you had spent together.
What a wonderful tribute, thank you.

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

I am crying right now & can barly type. That is so sad. I'm so glad you were with him when he went. It scares me everytime my guy fall off their perches or whatever else their on. I am so sorry for your loss. Crystal

[Valo's Moirana]

it's the stories that are told, that keep our little friends alive forever. i still tell stories of some of the fids who died 15 or more years ago... and everytime i laugh.
i hope that after some time you can fill this hole in your heart with cheerful memories of your little emma.
i wish emma a pleasant journey over the rainbow, and your heart the strength and time to heal.

i'm so sorry for your loss.

[Dani#2]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[jessica313]

i am so sorry for your loss. your story was touching

[WeLuvBirds]

I'm so sorry for your lose, he sounded like a loving companion. Know that over the rainbow there's nothing but happiness and someday you will be together again and he will once again find comfort in your arms.




Michelle

[CALVINS MOM]

Poor little guy. I'm so sorry. But it sounds like you gave him a wonderful life so smile to know that he crossed over the rainbow bridge in the arms of one who loved him and made him happy. I hope you heal quickly.

[Lisa B]

The story of Emma is a very touching one. Your love for him shines through.
Its never easy to loose one we love so much. As one person said, it helps to talk about them, and it keeps them alive within us.
I hope there is a place called Rainbow bridge, cuz thats as far as I want to go.
May Emma's memories make your heart smile forever.
I am sorry for your loss.

[Quito's Qage]

Thank you for sharing Emma's story with us. I'm so sorry.