R.I.P. :: Big Bird - 1998 - 2002 =(

A couple days ago, our very sweet handraised budgie/parakeet named Big Bird passed away after 4 short years. We aren't sure why... but his well-being had definitely started to go downhill since his buddy, Sonny, flew away a few months back. He looked so sad and still... I cried. I know there was a lot I could have done... I'm still very bummed.

After his buddy had left, Big Bird became very withdrawn and would be scared of us everytime we'd reach in to change his food. He never bit, as he was handraised, but he was very paranoid, even after handling him for over an hour.

Chris and I stayed up all night that night and bought stuff to create a casket for him. We couldn't find a single tin that didn't mention Easter on it, so we settled on a small but very sturdy looking Rubbermaid tupperware tub. Chris spray-painted it white, and then lined the inside with yellow felt. We wrapped Big Bird in white felt, and laid him next to a yellow stuffed toy duck so he wasn't lonely. Chris and I wrote little sentimental notes to Big Bird, and put in a picture of the both of us in the casket. On the lid of the casket, we glued and sealed a color pencil drawing I made of Big Bird. Then we closed the lid, and sealed it with superglue and silicone glue to keep out the bugs (for a while at least). We haven't found a good spot to bury him yet, but I'm thinking we should bury him near a tree in the yard. It probably sounds so childish that we went that far to make a casket for him like that, but I feel like we owed it to him.

I know that the Bible pretty much says animals don't have souls, but I sincerely hope Big Bird is in a better place now. I wish he could have stayed with us longer... he was such a nice guy and never gave us any trouble. He's the first pet that Chris and I have ever had to deal with the death of, so I can only imagine what it will be like for our other animals.

I miss you, Big Bird...