RIP April, you will never be forgotten

[Scotston]

I got April, in April, when i was about 6/7. He was a male, but i called him April anyway.
I hadnt wanted a Cockatiel, i wanted some pretty blue/purple parakeet i'd seen. I was put in the indoor aviary with these two baby Cockatiels. One immediatley flew onto my shoulder. He stayed there for the next 13 years.

He only managed to learn "hello" as a whistle, but my word it was such a clear 'hello'
He mastered dozens of whistles and songs, copying my laugh, the dog's squeaky toys, the phone, warbling and gargling, and even some noises i never quite figured out where he'd learned them from. And then there was his endless dances, his flirting displays.. Regardless, he was my best friend and i loved him.

Like many birds he loved having his crest and face preened. I could do anything with him

I could write a thick book about the many memories of April, and even that wouldnt be everything, nor would it express just how much he meant to me.

I had trouble with my back last year, meaning i could hardly even go see my horses. That whole year i sat on the sofa feeling sorry for myself. April was always there to cheer me up, whistling when he knew i was sad, which always made me laugh. He dragged me kicking and screaming through depression, and i got out on the other side.

I'd only been in my new home a month when he fell ill. Instead of giving up, he was rushed to the vets, then the emergancy night vets, trying to get his crop sac filled, as he'd stopped eating. He got so weak he could barely even hold his head up. After getting back from the vets at 2am, i laid beside the fire with him, keeping him warm. I knew i was going to lose my little friend, he'd just gotten so weak.

By the morning when we took him back, he was so exhausted and tired. I didnt want him to suffer, so had to make a crippling decision to have my little 13 year old friend euthanised.

I sobbed holding him for a good 20 minutes before letting him go. I couldnt even bear to have him cremated, so the wonderful cremation lady let me have him whole in a casket. Mad i know, but i just couldnt do it.


I sank back into my unhappiness, at now having a silent house. My budgie fell quiet, just like he had when his best friend, my other cockatiel, had died 4 years previously.

Ive started to try and pull myself out of it again, for my other animals sakes.

But oh, how i miss him.

13 years is a long time to own any animal. Bigger animals it often hurts alot worse then smaller animals, something i have found out with having horses. But April wasnt a little tiny bird. He was a big bird, probably even bigger then a Macaw, even an Eagle owl maybe. He was 25x larger than life, i will never forget him, even if i tried.

[cherublace]

thanks for the pics of your baby. he was adorable and you could see he loved you like mad!!! lucky birdy!!! fly free love!!!

[Sojourne]

I'm so sorry for your heartache. I recently loss my 14 yo Jack Russell Terrier and my Jenday was there cheering me up. It is so hard, and I learned something through my sorrow in the past two weeks: Pets are not ours and we are theirs and are blessed to have had their company for as long as we are allowed. No matter how brief that time is.

[twinieten]

I'm so sorry for your loss! Wow, he sounds like he was a really cool bird! For such a small creature, they really do make a huge impact. I understand the silence. It can be deafening. Thanks for posting all of the great pictures of April, and sharing your memories. I loved the mid-flight picture the best, and the poofed up pics. What a beauty!

[chirpy]

Oh my, I'm sat at work with tears in my eyes. It's so clear how much you loved him and what a fantastic little character he was. You've got some great photos there
Fly free April xxx

[Tom Lawless]

That's a sad loss. I hope all the great memories will bring you much comfort to weather these difficult days.

[Scotston]

Thankyou guys..

He really was such a character, i've got endless videos of his mad little noises, warbling and singing away.. its so strange not to hear that anymore, even now

xxx

[tabooh]

R.I.P

[Lisa B]

I'm sorry for your loss. He was a handsome fella. May his memory help ease your pain.

[shosh]

So, so sorry to hear about BIG LITTLE April.
No matter what the size of the creatures we love, their loss is felt to great depth because they impact our lives so very much.
I hope the memories and love you shared with April help you through this difficult time....he was, obviously, a very loved little birdie.