"Buddy"

"Buddy"

As some of you may know, Buddy was in intensive care for the better part of the last two weeks. His blood count was low, he was on oxygen, and antibiotics. For those of you who don't know, Buddy was CJ's love bird. She didn't buy a pair of lovebirds. She bought just one. As written in all the bird books, if you just a "pair" of lovebirds, they will bond with each other. If you only buy one, it will bond with you...especially if you don't put a mirror in the cage. CJ was not interested in competition when she bought THIS bird!

So little Buddy lived in his beautiful, artistically designed mansion with a view of the veranda and a small summer home (an RV if you will, as he travelled in it occasionally). He sang early in the morning and strutted back and forth along the patio doors in the evening. His little eyes glowed with anticipation when CJ would walk in the door. Was it a new toy today? Would she turn on the CD with all his little bird friends singing? Maybe it would be a special day and she would play the "New Orleans" bird calls! Oh, how the days flew by as she played with him, talked with him and even bathed him in her shower. On occasion, she would invite her frightful sister over. Those were his worst days. Her sister would creep towards the cage, look him straight in the eye and give him a glaucoma test! Oh, how he hated that.

But Skipper was always his pal - the floppy-eared bunny who would hop around the living room while Buddy preened and danced along side him. Skipper never kicked him - never made fun of him and always invited him to play in his heap of hay. CJ encouraged their friendships.

Last week, after numerous visits to the emergency room, a 3 day stay in the ICU and a transfusion, Buddy was sent home. There was nothing more they could do for him. His liver, they think. An incubator was set up for Buddy at home. He had to be kept warm. Special high-protien meals were prepared. He was kept safe and warm and loved, tended to by his warm hearted caregiver.

On Saturday, while making food for the Super Bowl, CJ put on Buddy's favorite music - he rallied and strutted back and forth inside the warm incubator, singing loudly along with the bird CD. After a while he became quiet. His little head dropped forward for a moment - he fluffed his feathers and sat. Quiet. His eyes flickered for a moment. CJ picked him up and held him - cradled him to her chest. He laid his little head down and passed away. Loved. Yes, little Buddy, you were loved.

Buddy was buried Sunday morning. He was tenderly laid next to our little Muffin - in the woods on the crest of a small hill. A good place for God's little creatures. He really wasn't just a Bic lighter - He can't be replaced. He will be missed.