Sunflower's Diary

[liz]

I just prayed for him.

Please let us know what the vet says.

[javelin]

Thanks for the prayers liz.

Sunflower has recovered from that eye sore after a few days. It recurred about a week ago but again disappeared by itself in a day or 2. I did notice that while Sunflower was "quarantined" -- i.e. had his cage out in the backyard -- he was quite enjoying the outdoors view. So now I set his cage out most times of the week and just bring him indoors over the weekends.

He's grown quite comfortable perching on my finger when I bring it inside the cage and what I do is I am slowly conditioning him bringing him nearer his cage doors while perched on my finger. I hope that in a few more days I would be able to bring him out of his cage this way without much fuss and he would stay perched on my finger even outside of the cage.

I am now regularly cleaning his cage -- giving the cage a good wash and scrub at least once a week. Sunflower is getting his spray baths also once or twice a week. And I have started regularly including veggies and fruits into his diet. He wouldn't touch non-seed food before but I figure he's bound to get accustomed to the other stuff I put in -- e.g. bananas, apples, etc.

Right now I'm still concerned over Sunflower's health. A few days ago I've noticed that he was not as active as he used to be. He's asleep most of the day and there's evidently loss of appetite. Yesterday he was up and about his cage, chirping again like there was no matter. But today he seems down again. In fact I was able to hold him by hand without much struggle more because of lethargy rather than being accustomed to me.

I am thinking, this seemingly manic-depressive behavior may be a remnant of his previous illness or he may be coming down with some other condition. I thought Sunflower may be suffering from egg-binding but I couldn't be sure. Or maybe he's somehow feeling depressed because he doesn't have a companion of his kind.

Hopefully soon I would be able to find a suitable vet for Sunflower. The one's near our place are not avian vets. All they know of are cats and dogs.

In the meantime I solicit your prayers again for my dear little Sunflower.

[javelin]

Sunflower passed away.

The poor thing didn't make it through the night. What I thought was an early turn in for bed turned out to be the advanced stages of egg binding. Now, she's gone.

I now say "she" because obviously I was wrong in thinking Sunflower was male. After reading up on egg binding I think that this may have been her first try at laying eggs hence she had difficulty passing them and ultimately was unable to. And I myself was unable to see the signs and take corrective action. It was certainly a shock to my family especially to my son who was just starting to connect with Sunflower.

It feels so weird. I keep glancing at her cage thinking she'd be there. It is certainly too quiet in the house now without the squeaking chirp that's become the soundtrack of my day-to-day existence. Just two more months and it would have been a year since we found Sunflower. I was hoping to get her a small aviary as an anniversary gift.

Thinking about it now, I am unsure whether capturing Sunflower last year was the right thing. Maybe she would have survived and fared better fending off the stray cats in the community all by herself versus my lack of knowledge and resources to properly care for a lovebird. In hindsight, given the same circumstances I may just choose to set her free. Regrets aside, I am very grateful to have had Sunflower as part of our lives. It's like having an angel cheer you up everyday.

We buried Sunflower in the backyard, me and my son. We set an unused flower pot to mark the spot. We said our goodbyes and a heartfelt thank you for what was a magical connection with another lovable being. And while my son was prodding me to go buy a new lovebird I'm inclined to step on the brakes a minute. The only avian vet I found in my searches lives on another island down south and I'm too wary to take on the responsibility of caring for another feathered friend without all the bases covered. I did promise my son that we will get another lovebird (or perhaps a larger parrot) or two once we've gotten in touch with a real bird vet who's accessible to where we are.

So this would be the end for Sunflower's Diary. Thanks for those who followed this thread. And thank you Sunflower for teaching me so much about life and sharing one's life with another.

Fly free my friend!

[liz]

You did right. Sunflower knew she was loved. You took care of her and loved her and she enriched your life.

I am so sorry she is gone. I know you now have a void that nothing or no one can fill. It hurts but keep in mind that she knew you loved her.

I keep a cage for native birds that need rescue and rehabilitated. It is truly rewarding to help a little creature and then set it free. Since there is no vet in your area, you would be the best help for a future little creature in need.