- 9,209
- DerAlta
The worst day of my life.
Yes, it happened yesterday. For the most part, the day went smooth. The usual hiccups at the office, and the usual stumbling blocks. Nothing out of the ordinary.
On the ride home, I called the director of the rescue to check in. All I got on the phone through his tears was "I've got 8 birds dying, and I can't get a vet" then he hung up.
A quick call to the wife, cancelled dinner plans, picked her up and officially "flew" in a Nissan pickup down to Cape Cod. The usual 1:15 trip took 40 minutes. I figured when I hit the Borne bridge, and was upwards of 80mph, I should slow down. However Rte 6 was open and I violated just a few motor vehicle laws the rest of the way.
We arrive at the rescue, and find the director cuddling the 9th parrot that had died.
By this time the fire department had left, the animal control officer had left, and the police had left. Air Quality was fine, the rest of the birds were fine.
What we narrowed it down to was the 9 birds had eaten a half of a grape, that was given as a treat. Nothing out of the ordinary, and in fact they had washed and rinsed all of the grapes like we normally do. The grapes are from Chile, and this isn't the first outbreak the Cape has had with grapes.
These were parrots that I have held, played with, been bitten by, and loved. I've got scars from Marly that are almost like a going away present.
Marmalade, a Mollucan Cockatoo
Lita, a Greater Sulphur Cockatoo (51 years old)
Sunny, an Umbrella Cockatoo
Joe, another Umbrella
Abigail, a Medium Sulphur Crested cockatoo,
Marly, an Umbrella Cockatoo (and one of the mascots of the rescue)
Tasha, another Umbrella Cockatoo
Marcy, a Noble Macaw (our first rescued bird)
Squally, a Pionus
The grapes are being tested by the Health Department, as the daughter of the Director (she's 18) had three grapes and became violently ill.
It happened so fast. The Parrots ate the grape, and in 15 minutes started showing signs of being sick. Swaying and regurgitation, by minute 16-17 they had lost muscle control and couldn't stand or hold a perch. Within minutes from then, they were dead. Unlike a dog or cat that simply falls asleep, the parrots fight it with every ounce of strength in their body. The owners mother and future son-in-law both had to get stitches from bites incurred while the bird they were holding died in their hands. Having seen these bird easily shred 2x4 chunks of wood, I know that 1lb body has more fight in it than any dog I've met (And I've been attacked by dogs twice in my life).
Look down at that cat or dog or rat you call a pet, and think what would happen if they died in your arms in less than 20 minutes. Now think about having them talk to you while they die. Multiply that by 9. Factor in that these birds came to the rescue because of abuse, neglect and other physical problems that the previous owners didn't want to deal with. Open your heart to give them the best they deserve and then watch it get taken away in less than 20 minutes.
We didn't get home last night until after 1 am, and I hardly slept. I'm at work now and can barely keep it together. Add this on top of I'm now on 10 hours sleep since Tuesday morning, and I've logged 50+ hours in the office, with a full Saturday here as well. So I'm a basket case now.
Sunday I was planning on working, but now it looks like I'm driving to the Cape for a funeral service for 9 very dear parrots.
Since All Cape Parrot Rescue is a Non-profit Organization funded by donations, we're paying for the testing and Necropsies out of our pocket. If anyone would like to help with the cost they can click the link in my signature and then the Donate button.
Over the weekend, I'll be putting together a Memorial Page on the ACPR website (In addition to being the director of buildings, I'm also the web designer, marketing guru, volunteer and strong back to carry stuff). You'll be able to see the birds that passed away and what your donations go to.
Thanks all for listening, it's helped me to type this all up, and get some of the emotions out.
AO
Yes, it happened yesterday. For the most part, the day went smooth. The usual hiccups at the office, and the usual stumbling blocks. Nothing out of the ordinary.
On the ride home, I called the director of the rescue to check in. All I got on the phone through his tears was "I've got 8 birds dying, and I can't get a vet" then he hung up.
A quick call to the wife, cancelled dinner plans, picked her up and officially "flew" in a Nissan pickup down to Cape Cod. The usual 1:15 trip took 40 minutes. I figured when I hit the Borne bridge, and was upwards of 80mph, I should slow down. However Rte 6 was open and I violated just a few motor vehicle laws the rest of the way.
We arrive at the rescue, and find the director cuddling the 9th parrot that had died.
By this time the fire department had left, the animal control officer had left, and the police had left. Air Quality was fine, the rest of the birds were fine.
What we narrowed it down to was the 9 birds had eaten a half of a grape, that was given as a treat. Nothing out of the ordinary, and in fact they had washed and rinsed all of the grapes like we normally do. The grapes are from Chile, and this isn't the first outbreak the Cape has had with grapes.
These were parrots that I have held, played with, been bitten by, and loved. I've got scars from Marly that are almost like a going away present.
Marmalade, a Mollucan Cockatoo
Lita, a Greater Sulphur Cockatoo (51 years old)
Sunny, an Umbrella Cockatoo
Joe, another Umbrella
Abigail, a Medium Sulphur Crested cockatoo,
Marly, an Umbrella Cockatoo (and one of the mascots of the rescue)
Tasha, another Umbrella Cockatoo
Marcy, a Noble Macaw (our first rescued bird)
Squally, a Pionus
The grapes are being tested by the Health Department, as the daughter of the Director (she's 18) had three grapes and became violently ill.
It happened so fast. The Parrots ate the grape, and in 15 minutes started showing signs of being sick. Swaying and regurgitation, by minute 16-17 they had lost muscle control and couldn't stand or hold a perch. Within minutes from then, they were dead. Unlike a dog or cat that simply falls asleep, the parrots fight it with every ounce of strength in their body. The owners mother and future son-in-law both had to get stitches from bites incurred while the bird they were holding died in their hands. Having seen these bird easily shred 2x4 chunks of wood, I know that 1lb body has more fight in it than any dog I've met (And I've been attacked by dogs twice in my life).
Look down at that cat or dog or rat you call a pet, and think what would happen if they died in your arms in less than 20 minutes. Now think about having them talk to you while they die. Multiply that by 9. Factor in that these birds came to the rescue because of abuse, neglect and other physical problems that the previous owners didn't want to deal with. Open your heart to give them the best they deserve and then watch it get taken away in less than 20 minutes.
We didn't get home last night until after 1 am, and I hardly slept. I'm at work now and can barely keep it together. Add this on top of I'm now on 10 hours sleep since Tuesday morning, and I've logged 50+ hours in the office, with a full Saturday here as well. So I'm a basket case now.
Sunday I was planning on working, but now it looks like I'm driving to the Cape for a funeral service for 9 very dear parrots.
Since All Cape Parrot Rescue is a Non-profit Organization funded by donations, we're paying for the testing and Necropsies out of our pocket. If anyone would like to help with the cost they can click the link in my signature and then the Donate button.
Over the weekend, I'll be putting together a Memorial Page on the ACPR website (In addition to being the director of buildings, I'm also the web designer, marketing guru, volunteer and strong back to carry stuff). You'll be able to see the birds that passed away and what your donations go to.
Thanks all for listening, it's helped me to type this all up, and get some of the emotions out.
AO
That is beyond sad, Der Alta. Eight birds in 20 minutes from grapes? On the plus side, there will be other birds. They can't replace the ones that are gone, but they will help to fill the void.
Those poor birds...I had one budgie die a few years ago, and it was terrible. All of her old favorite toys, her favorite perch, everything reminded you of her - including that tiny little scar on my nose! It's similar in many ways to losing a good friend. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose so many at once. I'm very sorry, Alex.
