Grieving a bird

[Strawfrawg]

I lost my beloved cockatiel Weebo last April, and frankly, I'm still getting over it. I've been thinking about it a lot lately since I'm finally getting another bird (Senegal). Looking back, I was very frustrated at how insensitive people around me were about the death...like it wasn't as significant a loss as the death of a dog or cat. I mentioned Weebo to my sister yesterday when I was talking to her about my search for a new bird. She said, "It's been almost a year...you're still upset about that?" Hmmmm. Yes, I am. Just like she was a year after her cat died.

If you have lost a bird, did you find that people who haven't owned birds didn't quite understand? It certainly doesn't help the grieving process....

[marie83]

Yes but I've also found people who do keep birds that don't understand too. One of those being my first boyfriend, he was soon my ex but for many other reasons too.

I've cried more than once because I thought both Ollie and Harlie would die and they are still both with me, they are my family as much as any person or other pet.

[pennyandrocky]

i lost my 2 years ago. i still get teary when i look at pictures and talk about him.my neighbor thinks i'm crazy for having him cremated so that his ashes can be mixed with mine when my time comes.he was everything to me for so long while healing him from the abuse he suffered he healed me by trusting me when he had no reason to ever trust a human. he was my best friend when i was battling a severe case of depression he didn't care i spent days in bed without showering, gross i know but anyone who's gone through or knows someone who has gets how crippling it can be. they are not just birds.

[Strawfrawg]

How can anybody who lives with a bird not feel a deep connection? Then again, I know people who keep their dogs tied outside and feel little care or concern when they are sick or if they die. I just don't get those people.

Weebo the cockatiel saw me through a serious period of clinical depression, too, during my separation/divorce. Taking care of him kept me getting out of bed in the morning. He worked hard for me, he really did. I daresay he was actively encouraging me.

PennyandRocky (name?), I don't think the cremation or your post-mortem plans for your bird are weird. Death is personal. There are no rules. It used to be very common for people to be buried with all kinds of things...what makes more sense than a beloved pet? I just worry about what will happen if my new bird outlives me. I'm 42, so it's very possible. I have a niece who says she'll take him/her. She's 10 years old, but she's the kind of kid who is going to grow up to be that kind of adult, so I'm taking her at her word for now.

[pionus]

I too grieve a bird, a budgie named Kink-o. He was my first bird, and I lost him far to recently after I got him. One of the worst things about his passing is that I have never found out what killed him. One day he is his usual self, and then the next morning he is gone.
That's him in my profile pic.

It's really hard losing a bird, and I'm so sorry you guys had to go through that as well.

[GreenWing]

I am very sorry for your loss, it is indeed losing a family member and is extremely hard to go through. My condolences.

I rescued a pigeon who healed in our care and ended up flying away. I have no idea if the pigeon survived; he had a broken wing and didn't fly "right." It took a long time to grieve the loss but many people were compassionate; most people understand the pain of losing a pet.