Goodbye darling Rosie

[Margarret]

I found Rosie sick about a week ago. Like one other from that loft, he had gone very light and had diarrhea. I've been treating him with the same protocol that I have used for Honeybun (who is still not good, but is alive). He was eating so little that I finally bit the bullet and began tube feeding, which I had not done before. He looked like he was improving a bit, ate a bite or two on his own yesterday.

This morning, he seemed a little less perky. When I went in to feed him a bit ago, I found him dead. So goodbye sweet spirit. You were such a wonderful little guy. Your mate Cassidy is missing you since you went into the infirmary room. I don't know how to tell her you won't be back with your lovely little neck nibbles and the affection you two showed with one another. Rosie was one of the most affectionate birds with his mate I've ever seen. He was gentle and loving and seemed to know that she had a handicap. He slept next to her each night, making sure he was in body contact from the time they paired up.

I'm having a necropsy done. This is the third bird I've lost in the last month. The vet suggested it as he is stumped.

Margaret

[Margarret]

I posted much earlier today to the Hall of Love forum, but guess there haven't been any mods on to approve it, so will post here.

My beloved Rosie died this morning, the 3rd of my birds to die from an unknown illness in my loft. I'm really shaken up with this one as he was one of my extra special birds. I love them all, but Rosie was one of the special ones. He was mated to Cassidy, a handicapped hen with a splay leg. He was one of the most affectionate birds with his mate I have ever seen. He spent all his time with her, always sleeping next to her at night with some kind of body contact. He was never mean toward her or drove her when mating, but seemed to know she was handicapped and was excessively gentle with her. He would spend hours nibbling her neck or just making little sounds to her as she sat eggs.
I found Rosie ill about a week ago. I put him in isolation, on heat. He seemed to be responding to treatment, eating a bit on his own and looking perkier, until this a.m. when he died mid morning.

My husband took him for a necropsy and I'm hoping to have some kind of information by early next week.

I'll miss Rosie greatly. It is hard to write about him without crying. Cassidy may find another mate one day, but never another Rosie. He was two years and three months old. Terry weaned him for me by tube feeding him. He just didn't want to grow up! Good bye little guy, your time was too short with us.

Margaret

[maryjane]

Margaret, I'm so very sorry that you lost your dear Rosie. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Cassidy during this very difficult time.

[TAWhatley]

Ohhhh Margaret .. I am so terribly sorry for the illness and losses you have had, but Rosie really gets to me as he was kinda my baby in a way. I totally know how you feel having been there myself, and my heart goes out to you.

I think I still have my little scribble chart of Rosie's daily weights while he was here with me. I'm gonna go find it and make it a cherished piece of my personal memories of Rosie.

For our members who do not know or remember, Rosie stayed with me for about a month as a youngster because he was stubborn about learning to eat and had to be tube fed for far longer than one would expect. I can remember my joy on the day that I saw Rosie pecking seeds on his own .. WHOO HOO! And I can remember worrying each day about being responsible for a lovely and beloved bird that belonged to another member. I was so happy and relieved when Rosie became self feeding and went home.

Rosie's whole story is pretty much here on Pigeon-Talk.

Margaret .. I truly am sorry .. Please go give Cassidy a love from me .. and give yourself a HUGE hug from me.

Terry

[mr squeaks]

I send my heartfelt condolences, Margaret!!

That is so sad about Rosie! I sure hope the necropsy will show something to help set your mind at ease.

Sure hope things settle down and all your lovelies will be fine and healthy!

Sending consoling healing thoughts with love and hugs

Shi

[TAWhatley]

Terry

[RodSD]

I am sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose one's own pet especially on an unknown disease.

[Margarret]

Terry,

Rosie was your baby as well as mine. If you hadn't stepped in, he might not have ever grown into the big beautiful guy he was. Thank you for your kind words. I love it that you have his weights still. He had a good, albeit short, life. I love that picture of him with his little bow legs. He was still not weaned then. It was just about the time you got him.

Margaret

Originally Posted by TAWhatley

Ohhhh Margaret .. I am so terribly sorry for the illness and losses you have had, but Rosie really gets to me as he was kinda my baby in a way. I totally know how you feel having been there myself, and my heart goes out to you.

I think I still have my little scribble chart of Rosie's daily weights while he was here with me. I'm gonna go find it and make it a cherished piece of my personal memories of Rosie.

For our members who do not know or remember, Rosie stayed with me for about a month as a youngster because he was stubborn about learning to eat and had to be tube fed for far longer than one would expect. I can remember my joy on the day that I saw Rosie pecking seeds on his own .. WHOO HOO! And I can remember worrying each day about being responsible for a lovely and beloved bird that belonged to another member. I was so happy and relieved when Rosie became self feeding and went home.

Rosie's whole story is pretty much here on Pigeon-Talk.

Margaret .. I truly am sorry .. Please go give Cassidy a love from me .. and give yourself a HUGE hug from me.

Terry

[Reti]

A beautiful little bird.
RIP Rosie.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Reti

[Trees Gray]

I am SO terribly sorry to hear the news.

She is a beautiful bird, may she rest in peace.

[Kevin]

I'm sorry to hear that.

Rest in paradise, Rosie.

[Margarret]

Maryjane, Shi, Terry, Reti, Treesa,Rod, and Kevin,

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and words. Friends help get through these tough moments and I treasure my friends here on PT. Terry, thanks for posting Rosie's picture. He was having a wonderful time that day in the park. There was a hen he liked caged right next to him and it was the first time he had revealed himself to be a cock bird rather than the hen we thought he was for a long time. He spent the afternoon, spinning and doodling at her. By then his name was pretty firmly set, so I said what the heck, he isn't the first guy named Rosie.

Margaret

[Maggie-NC]

Margaret, I am so sad that this handsome little guy passed away. Rosie was so cute and I know both you and Cassidy will miss him terribly. I think it makes it especially hard when you don't know the reason but I hope the necropsy will show something that will help the other birds if it is something being passed around.

Big hug to you and your husband.

[della]

Margaret, so sorry to hear about your sad loss. I didn't know the story of Rosie's early days and admire the effort you all put in to help him survive. His picture is so sweet, and I can well imagine how much you are missing him. I do hope you get a solution to the illness.

[TerriB]

Oh, Margaret, I am so sorry for your loss. You certainly did everything you could to support Rosie. He was a handsome bird, well loved and cared for!