My Pet Conure, I lost my beloved bird Options

[Erik]

I've been devastated by the sudden death of my eight and half year old cinnamon green cheek conure named Chicken. He (or she...never had him sexed) was in perfect health early Sunday, and when I came in from shoveling the driveway, I was absolutely horrified to find him laying dead at the bottom of his cage. He had only been in his cage for an hour and a half, so I'm confused, angry, upset and just downright depressed about the whole situation. Everyone keeps telling me it wasn't my fault, but I still feel guilty like I might have been able to prevent it or do something. The little guy was bonded with me, and the feeling was mutual. Whenever I was home, he was with me most of the time and wanted little to do with anyone else (including my wife). I feel like I lost one of my best friends, and I've never been hit this hard by the loss of a pet.

I dropped Chicken off at the vet yesterday for a necropsy, because I'm beating myself up wondering how this could have happened. I often wonder if I made the right decision in doing this! He'll also be cremated and the leg band (he's a banded bird) will be returned to me.

I'll deeply miss my little pal, and I will always have fond memories of all the joy he brought me over the years.

[Hisae Y]

Hi, Erik

I hope days are treating you better these days. I joined the group a few days ago when my cat, Tama, passed away. I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Chicken and Romeow. It feels like my heart is being crushed all the time, and I cannot imagine the devastation you must have felt when both of your companions passed away one after the other. You have my deepest, deepest sympathies.

[Erik]

Thanks so much, Kathy and moon_beam. I think my wife was having a harder time than I was, being that she's home alone more often while I'm working my two jobs. Coming home to our empty house with no pets was just so depressing. She went to a local adoption fair a couple weeks ago and found two 9 month old sisters that needed a home. After a few cell phone pictures and phone calls to me, we made a decision and she signed the papers. After a screening process, the girls joined us a few days later and are now adjusting to their new home! Their names are Rainy and Windy - named because the adoption people found them on such a day. We kept their names because it was a very similar day when my wife found them at the fair.

Deepest condolences Erik. I just lost my best friend Dylan on Saturday night. She died suddenly and she was only 8. I, like you am reeling from the sudden loss. You are not alone.

Thanks, Miki. My condolences to you too. I hope you're feeling a little more at peace now as the weeks go on. It's still difficult, I know, but we have all those great memories of our beloved pets that will always be with us.

Hi, Erik

I hope days are treating you better these days. I joined the group a few days ago when my cat, Tama, passed away. I just wanted to say how sorry I am about Chicken and Romeow. It feels like my heart is being crushed all the time, and I cannot imagine the devastation you must have felt when both of your companions passed away one after the other. You have my deepest, deepest sympathies.

Hey, Hisae, sorry to hear of your loss as well. It's still hard, and I have my moments from time to time where I just feel so sad. I keep flashing back to certain moments and it can be like a sudden gut punch at times. It will get a bit easier, though, and thankfully the wonderful memories far outweigh the difficult ones.

Thanks for replying here, everyone. I think it was all this depression that weakened my immune system and made me sick a couple times over the last month, but I'm feeling better. I miss Romeow and Chicken every single day and know that they can never be replaced, but I think they'd be happy that we're giving our new kitties a loving home. I'll post some photos soon, if you'd like.