Sunday, September 6, 2015

Goodbye, Little Bird

I wanted to end this week with a report on my training, but I can't bring myself to write it.

Archie passed away unexpectedly on Saturday. He was his usual energetic self all morning, but he started showing signs of illness sometime after lunch, and he stopped breathing around 4pm. Matt and I had been nursing him and we tried CPR, but to no avail.

Birds have evolved to hide illness until it's very serious; he's been sick once before and we must have gotten lucky because he recovered then. But this time...

We'll never know what made him so sick so fast, and not having answers makes this feel like some awful dream. It can't be true. But is is.

We are devastated. Archie was a huge part of everything we did daily. He was so curious and always wanted to be where the action was. If I was in the kitchen, he would be on my shoulder or in a cabinet, inspecting my work.
He loved to cuddle. He'd sit on our keyboards and nudge our fingers with his head when he wanted scratches.
He'd sit on our shoulders and press his beak against our faces when he wanted kisses. He slept in our shirts. He fell asleep in our hands. He would chirp and sing in his sleep. He would enjoy the ride under Matt's hat when we took road trips. 
He loved when we had rice or pasta for dinner, and he wasn't shy about eating off our plates, although he made quite the mess. When he heard me telling a story about my day, he'd hop over to me and get as close to my face as possible. Sometimes he would strut along the floor instead of flying, like he thought he was a little person. 
He loved to get tangled in my hair, and once we had to cut him free. He hated when I wore nail polish, so I never did. He loved to preen our eyelashes and eyebrows. 
He would sit on my shoulder and preen while I washed my face and brushed my teeth, so we always got ready for bed together.  He was truly a part of the family, not aloof or distant like some people might think a bird would be.

He loved everyone. It's unusual for lovebirds to bond with more than one person, but Archie bonded with both me and Matt AND he loved everyone who walked through our door. He wanted to always be near people.

And now the house feels empty and quiet. It was so sudden. It just feels so unfair.

We put him in his little bed and then into a box, which we buried in an underground cairn in the backyard. Archie loved cardboard boxes, so it almost seemed fitting for one to be his final resting place. We bought a birdbath and ceramic bird ornament to finish the memorial. As we were digging the grave, a little rainbow appeared in the sky. As we finished putting in the birdbath, a huge storm unleashed. We sat outside and watched until it was too dark to see. We didn't want to leave him alone out there, when he so clearly belonged warm and soft in our shirts inside the house. We did what we could, but it still feels nightmarish and unreal.
I'm trying to take comfort in knowing that in his final moments, he felt the warmth of our hands and heard the sound of our voices. He wasn't alone. He was such a little bird, and so young to die so suddenly. We did what we could to give him a full, happy life, and I think he knew how loved he was.
Baby Archie, October 2011. Rest in peace, little bird.
ABK

17 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry to hear this. <3 There are no words I can say to make it better, but I wish there were. Beautiful memorial for him, the birdbath and the posts. He was a gorgeous bird & clearly was very loved. What more can we wish to give them in life other than to be truly loved.

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  2. Saying goodbye to one of our family is so freakin' hard!!! He will be in your heart ALWAYS and remember the good times. I am sooooo sorry for your loss Ali...hugs to you. RIP Archie!

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  3. My heart dropped when I read the title of this post. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Anyone who has a pet knows that they are not just animals, but truly members of the family. He was so happy and loved you both so much. To have it happen so suddenly must be devastating. There's nothing anyone can say or do to make it feel better, but if you need anything, even though I am 3,000 miles away, know you can always email me (or text if you want my number).

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  4. I'm so sorry Ali. This is so sad and so painful. So many questions, but ultimately such a loved being. His spirit will follow you always. Lots of hugs, lots of love, crying to think what you've lost. So sorry Ali.

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  5. I'm so sorry Ali and Matt. :( I wish like hell this hadn't happened. Losing a pet (but let's face it, family member) is one of the hardest, saddest things to go through and I just wish so much that you didn't have to go through it. Paul and I are sending you and Matt lots of love!

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  6. Oh no :( I'm so sorry Ali. Saying goodbye to a family pet is devestating. They truly are family members and it hurts so bad when they're unexpectedly taken from us. Archie definitely had a great life with you and Matt so try and remember all the fun times you had with him. ((Hugs)) from Lola and I. <3

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  7. I am so sorry. Your memorial is beautiful

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  8. I'm so sorry for your loss. :( I was in tears reading your beautiful tribute to such a loved pet. Thinking of you guys during this tough time.

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  9. My heart is breaking for you, Ali. I know losing a pet is such a hard thing to go through, but hopefully you can be comforted knowing that you gave Archie the best life he could ever dream of having. Sending hugs!

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  10. Ali, when I saw this post, I didn't even want to believe it. I am thinking of you and your family at this time. This was a beautiful tribute. I'm sure a lot of your future runs will be dedicated to Archie. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and sending peaceful thoughts your way.

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  11. He was meant to be in your life. R.I.P. Archie. You'll see him again Ali.

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  12. So sorry for your loss Ali :( he sounds like the sweetest little guy, and you guys were lucky to be loved and to love each other. <3 <3

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  13. I'm so very sorry for your loss. The loss of a pet is awful! I will keep your family in my prayers.

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  14. I am so very sorry, Ali. What an incredible loss. My heart and prayers are with you and Matt.

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  15. What a touching tribute - he was a very lucky bird to have had such loving people in his life - very sorry for your loss.

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  16. I'm so sorry for your loss. Archie sounds like he had an incredible personality.

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  17. Ali, I'm so sorry to hear about Archie...he looked like such a happy bird and I always loved seeing your photos together! I hope you and Matt are doing okay. *HUGS*

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