In Memorium

I just got back from putting our budgie, Nike, to sleep.

I inherited Nike when I moved to Canada. Grant and the boys had had her for a few years. I had never owned a bird; wasn't even sure I liked them. Honestly, Nike didn't seem terribly promising. She was quite skittish and shy. We frequently called her a "sucky bird" (note: a suck being a big ole baby) Still I talked to her all the time. Yeah, I do that with animals. I talk to them constantly, I make up silly songs for them, I treat them like family. Nike was no exception. And somewhere along the line, she became a true member of my little extended family.

Nike was the prettiest blue. She loved to beat up on the plastic bird we put in her cage. She hated it when I put the perch cover on her perch and instantly went to work on it, tearing it with her little beak. She would treat the cat to stealth flyovers. I'm not sure Katy ever completely figured out what that buzzing sound of wings was. Nike would chirp whenever she heard birds singing on TV and if we put on Shania Twain singing " Man! I Feel Like Woman!" she would start bobbing her head and singing along. We got to the point where we called that song "Man! I Feel Like a Budgie!"

Last Friday, I noticed that she was not herself. Further investigation revealed some bad swelling. Unfortunately, it was the Canadian Thanksgiving and there were no avian vets to be found. I had to wait until today.

Poor sick birdie. It was time to let her go. I held her in my hand. It was very comforting in a way, Nike would never have let me hold her like that in her prime. She would have chittered and bit me. I stroked her soft blue feathers and said goodbye.

We buried her just outside the window where she used to hear the wild birds sing. I hope she's singing with them tonight.