Goodbye Parsley
January 20th, 2009
It’s such a sad day at our house. Last night our little Love Bird, Parsley, passed away. She was over 15 years old (well over the life expectancy of a Love Bird). It’s hit us both pretty hard – harder than we thought it would actually. We could see this coming yesterday and we held her most of the afternoon and evening.
Here is a photo taken Easter ’08 – she’s sitting in Curt’s shirt pocket.
We got her back in ’93 from a neighbor who was a kindergarten teacher. She had been given a pair of love birds for her classroom and they had a clutch of chicks. We had only had Beaker (our Red Fronted Macaw) for about 6 months at that point and weren’t in the market for another bird, but we thought she would be good companionship for my great-aunt who lived alone. Our plan was to keep Parsley for 3 months till Christmas and during that time Curt would work on getting her hand-tamed since she was a parent raised bird. Well, Curt has an incredible way with birds – they pretty much all love him and Parsley was no exception. She fell in love with Curt immediately and really wanted no one else. We did give her to my aunt that Christmas, but Parsley bit her on about the 3rd or 4th day and my aunt who was in her 70’s was done with her. She then went to live with my parents where she unfortunately continued to enforce her reputation as a biter. She needed someone to work with her. So she made her way back to our house. And she really was a very good little girl.
She always loved Curt and was happy to be back with him and over time she came to love me too. She loved to sit on the couch with either of us and although she would not allow us to pet her, she did like for Curt to cover her with his whole hand. She was also very much in love with R.B. our HUGE Green Wing Macaw. His play tree is just behind the couch and she would often want to climb to the back of the couch to get to him. In fact last night when she was so weak she could barely stand at one point she got really squirmy and started to try to climb from Curt’s chest to the back of the couch. At first we could figure out what she was doing and then we realized she wanted to be closer to R.B. – so Curt took her over and held her next to him. R.B. never quite understood how a bird could be so small and we were always careful not to let Parsley too close to him.
She didn’t talk like our big birds, but she always whistled at bedtime (something my Dad taught her when she lived with them) and she had the sweetest little chirp.
Here are a couple of photos of her Christmas ’07 when she was *helping me* wrap gifts.
She was a good little bird and we will miss her a lot!
I had planned to stamp the monthly DDA Challenge last night to post this morning, but I just had no heart for stamping yesterday. I’m sure you understand.
-Jami
January 20th, 2009 at 9:17 am
((((BIG HUGS)))) Jami! I am so sorry.
January 20th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I’m so sorry Jami. It’s never easy to lose a pet, even when you suspect it’s coming. Big ((HUGS)) to you!
January 20th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I’m so sorry to hear that. She had a wonderful life with your family which is probably why she lived so long, it was a good life. {{{HUGS}}}
January 20th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hi Jami,
I’m not sure I’ve ever commented, but I read your blog often. I just wanted to offer my sympathy to you over Parsley. I had a Dutch Blue lovebird, Sailor, that I raised from a fledgling. He died last year around this time at 12 years old, just a few weeks after my 17-year-old dog passed away. It was a bad time for pets at my house last year. Even though he was incredibly grouchy in his old age, I loved him with all my heart, and I still miss him. It amazes me how such tiny creatures can leave such big holes in our lives when they’re gone.
Hugs to you.
Vicki
January 20th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
OH I am SO SORRY. HUGE (((HUGS))) to both you and Curt.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
It is always hard when we lose a loved one, pet or otherwise. Sorry for your loss.
**Hugs** Heather x
January 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Oh Jami Im so sorry. Her pics are adorable! What a funny story about the biting! She knew that she belonged with you two!
Big hugs for you and Curt!
Tandra
January 20th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I am so very sorry for your loss. Feather and furbabies are just as much loved as other family members. I am sending hugs to you and you are in my prayers. You gave her a wonderful life and I know she knew how special she was to you. janet in NC
January 20th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Oh Jami, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is a hard thing to lose a feathered friend. You and Curt and in my thoughts.
January 20th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I’m sooooo sorry! Love you Jami.
January 20th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Sorry about Parsley 🙁 It is always so hard when we lose someone special in our lives (if they are human or our pets) I feel your pain. {hugs}
January 20th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
{{{{Jami}}}} So sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Parsley, but what a beautiful tribute to her you’ve shared with us here. It sounds like she had a wonderful life with you & Curt.
January 20th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Awww…what a sweet story! I’m so sorry about your loss! Cyber hugs to both you and your husband!
January 20th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Thank-you for sharing her story. She sounds like she was very special to you. Birds are so great! Love and Prayers to you and yours Jami
January 21st, 2009 at 4:04 am
Jamie – I’m so very sorry to hear of your loss. Parsley had a great life with your family and was well-loved. My heart goes out to you and Curt as losing a beloved pet and companion is never easy; but try to focus on the happy memories that fill your heart.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:26 am
I’m so sorry, Jami. You and Curt have my heartfelt pet-loving sympathy. Thank you for sharing all these pictures of pretty and sweet little Parsley. Linda
January 21st, 2009 at 6:14 am
I am so sorry Jami! I know how your pet can be such a strong part of your life.
This is especially true when you have a pet for that long! I felt that way when our 17 year old dalmation died a few years ago. You are in my thoughts and prayers for sure!
Barb
January 21st, 2009 at 6:21 am
Jami, I am so sorry to hear about your loss…{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}} to you and your family.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:22 am
I’m so sorry Jami. (((Hugs))) to you both.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:47 am
Jami, I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending big hugs your way!
January 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Jami – Sending hugs to you both. In my world, pets are part of my family, so I am so sorry for your loss.
January 21st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
{{{{{{{Jami}}}}}}} I’m so sorry. Thanks for sharing the sweet pictures.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Jami,
I am sorry for your loss, I know how difficult it is to loose a pet of any kind. It sounds like she was definately a warm spot in your families hearts and that she made quite an impact in your lives too. Thanks for allowing us to see her and hear your stories.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Jami, so sorry to here about your sweet Parsley. Big ((((((((HUGS!!))))))))
January 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Awwwww….that is soooo sad. What a sweet little bird! Thanks so much for sharing her story and pictures.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Jami, I am so sorry!! Midori sends her bird kisses to your family and your feather babies.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 am
My heart bleeds. I totally understand how special a little bird can be. I had about 4 and when I was diagnosed as TERMINAL, I found them the best homes I could. Then, 3 years later, I am well. I have no idea where my pets are now. But I know that they are loved for I looked for months for the right home. I am sorry for your loss and thanks for sharing the great pics!
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:15 pm
She was so pretty and I’m very sorry about your loss, Jami. I understand completely how much a pet of any kind can mean to you. I know you had a very sad day.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:29 am
I am so sorry for your loss! Its never easy to lose a family member, whether it be a pet or a human. Loved your pics and thanks for sharing this story!
Angie
January 25th, 2009 at 8:53 am
So sorry for your loss…I’ll be praying for you!
January 26th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
We share your pain with you and Curt’s loss. I know it is hard, but your loving pictures of Parsley are a wonderful tribute to her. May you find comfort in her happy memories.
Amy
February 14th, 2009 at 8:48 am
You and Curt are in my thoughts. I still have my Joshua (double yellow head) and he’s going on 20 and acts like he’s 2 Ü. I can’t imagine your loss. They truly become our children and mine is such a “Mom Boy”..that’s what I call him.
Big Hugs!
Tracy