A Sad Goodbye to Valentino

[Birdmom4ever]

Whew--this one really hurts. I've been loving and losing pets since I was a small child so I know the drill, but it never seems to get any easier. Here's the story:

Valentino was the most beautiful canary I've ever seen. He was deep orangey-red and sparrow-marked; I think the color is called "deep bronze." We spotted him in a large cage of canaries and finches at the feed and pet store where our pigeon club meets when we attended a meeting in early September. I had never seen a canary that color and was instantly smitten with the bird. Steve asked me if I wanted him and I responded with an enthusiastic "yes" even though we did not need another bird, since with our pigeons we have over 100 birds.

The feed store owner told us the red canary was a male and had just come in earlier that day from a well known breeder in the area. We took him home and he lit up our house with his cheerful personality and song. I've had many canaries over the years, but he was the most vibrant. Although not nervous, he was so busy and active that I bought him couple parakeet toys, which he played with every day. Everything he did, he did with gusto.

We had only had Valentino for about six weeks when he suddenly stopped singing and was not himself. Alarmed, I took him to our avian vet. Both the vet and I were surprised to find that Valentino had yeast through his system. The doctor prescribed an anti-fungal medication that went in the drinking water for two weeks. I've no idea why Valentino had this problem. He hadn't been on antibiotics or eaten anything strange. I kept his cage and dishes scrupulously clean. But he did well on the medication and was soon his old self.

Friday he was fine--singing, playing with his toys, happy. Yesterday when I took the towel off the cage in the morning I found him sitting quietly on the floor of the cage. He seemed stunned, like a bird that has hit a window, though I'm sure he was not actually thrashing around. His cage is in our bedroom so I'd have heard him if he'd had a problem in the middle of the night. I placed him in the hospital cage and called our vet's office but they were booked solid (they only work half a day on Saturdays) and couldn't fit him in. I've a feeling the vet could not have helped him anyway. By 2:00 p.m. he was gone.

I'm attaching two photos, one of Val in October and one of him in the hospital cage yesterday. I just don't understand what happened. His feathers were shiny and beautiful, his weight was good, his droppings were normal until yesterday morning. Perhaps a stroke or a genetic defect? We only had him four months but he left a big hole in my heart for such a small bird.

[TheSnipes]

Valentino was a beautiful bird and I'm so sorry you lost him after such a short life. I suppose you will never know what took him but I'm glad he had a loving home while he lived. I'm so sorry :'(

[flitsnowzoom]

Oh, I'm so sorry. What a joy he must have been to watch and listen to.
Valentino was a treasure and like his namesake, left this world too soon.

I'm sure there was an extra flash of brillant red as he crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Feather hugs and tears -- Mary

[Reti]

I am so sorry Valentino had such a short life, but glad he had such a wonderful and fun life with you.
Canaries are such delicate birds.
RIP Valentino.

Reti

[Dezirrae]

I am so sorry to hear about Valentino He certainly was a stunning looking canary. I know his passing must have been extra difficult for you since it came about so quickly and without reason. My heart goes out to you. I'm sure Valentino loved spending the time he had in your loving care.

[Lovebirds]

Don't know much about canaries, cept they're cute as buttons. Sorry you lost Valentino, but at least he was loved while on this earth. Sure was a pretty little thing. Hugs to you.........

[cyro51]

I am so sorry! What a beautiful bird he was.


Cynthia

[Lady Tarheel]

Cathy, I am so very sorry about Val. He sure was a gorgeous little fellow and I know he filled your heart with joy for the time you had him. I know this doesn't bring much solace, but I am personally always grateful that when they go swiftly like he did that he didn't suffer.

I'm thinking the yeast infection occurred again and he simply could not fight it this time. If there were a lot of canaries, finches, etc. being bred, it very well could have been a genetic issue because of so much breeding.

Again, I am so sorry.

[Birdmom4ever]

Thank you so much theSnipes, Mary, Reti, Dezirrae, Renee, Cynthia and Maggie for your long distance hugs and kind words. The only thing that makes me feel a little better is knowing you understand because you've been through it. You guys are the best.

I'm really thinking it may have been a genetic defect. You've got to wonder how much inbreeding goes into producing these gorgeous, unusual colors. Years ago I managed to raise a few canaries and it's a lot harder than raising pigeons. One of my young males was singing his heart out one day when he suddenly fell from the perch, dead. He was less than a year old. So you never know. Canaries are delicate. Pigeons are much hardier, that's for sure. But I've always had a soft spot in my heart for canaries and have rarely been without at least one. I still have one now, but he has a feather loss problem my vet hasn't been able to diagnose. He's otherwise healthy but mean--pecks me if I put my hand in the cage.

[Trees Gray]

I'm so sorry to here about your beloved Valentino. He had lots of love and excellent care with you, and that is what counts. Thank you for being such a wonderful "bird mom". Sending a special hug to you.

[Feather]

BMF,

You gave him a beautiful name. If I was a canary and I only had a short time to live because of a genetic defect, I would have chosen you to be my caretaker.

I am sure that you stuffed his short little life full of love, care and respect. What more does any living creature need.

[TAWhatley]

I'm so terribly sorry for the loss of your beloved little Valentino. Goodness, he was a beautiful bird!

Terry

[Birdmom4ever]

Thank you Treesa, Feather and Terry. You know, he was so achingly beautiful that when I got him I felt almost afraid...as if nothing that beautiful and perfect could last long in this world. Even though he seemed healthy and vigorous I had almost a premonition that he wouldn't last. Is that weird, or what?

[maryjane]

Originally Posted by Birdmom4ever

Thank you Treesa, Feather and Terry. You know, he was so achingly beautiful that when I got him I felt almost afraid...as if nothing that beautiful and perfect could last long in this world. Even though he seemed healthy and vigorous I had almost a premonition that he wouldn't last. Is that weird, or what?

I, too, am very sorry to hear about Valentino. What a special little guy he was, and lucky to live his life with you. I don't find it weird that you had a premonition about him; I have had the same thing happen with animals. Sometimes you just have a feeling. I hope you find some comfort with your other animals.

[Garye]

What an incredibly beautiful bird. I'm so sorry that he's gone but I'm sure he felt the love you gave him. He's flying free with others who've left before him. Just know that in a way he's happy.

I'm so sorry for your loss in such a short time.