I have never told this but Hannah's

[Jessalyn Eaton]

story makes me think I will. I had the world's most wonderful pionus once. His name was Max. It was Dec. 23 and we were going to a X'mas party. I was late as usual and since it was 75 degrees here in Houston, Max was on the patio in his cage. I was frantically getting ready for the party and my sweet hubby thought he would help me save time by bringing Max inside. He never held him. Max got scared and flew off. Luke hollered at me at Max was hanging on the side of the house. When I got to him with a ladder he flew away. I remember thinking "O how beautiful he is". I have never seen him again. I searched for 2 months. One lady stopped her car one day and asked if I was ok. I was in a field (raining) and was singing "High on a hill was a lonely goatherd...(yodel yodel, etc.)" from the Sound of Music. It was our song. Oh the heartbreak! Still.

[Jessalyn Eaton]

There. I told it. Don't know if wing clipping helps, but I don't know where he is to this day. He was precious!

[Irish]

How sad for you, Jess. I'll bet Luke feels like a heel to this very day. Don't give up hope, though. Sometimes miracles happen. Maybe you'll get your miracle and get your Pi back, someday.

I assume you've done all the usual things to advertise his loss?

[BettyDee]

What a touching story. We have always kept our birds wings clipped until very recently. Both macaws wings are grown out, but I think we will trim them again. It's just too risky not to, IMHO.

[DancingGreenBird]

I am so sorry about Max. The grief can take a long time to heal, but it does sound like you have some special memories of your Max to hold dear and treasure. The song "You are my sunshine" makes me both happy and sad for similar reasons.

Sherry

[Tabious Mom]

Ah jess, I am so sorry to hear about Max. I give you credit for finally telling your story. It helps sometimes to write about it. Just remember the good memories that you had together. And I am so sure that your husband couldn't feel any worse than he does do this day.

[Jessalyn Eaton]

Thanks ya'll. So kind. Yes, I did everything humanly possible for weeks. The closest I came was at the local pet store they had sold a cage the next day. But, of course they paid in cash and I couldn't get their address.

[TigressRae]

Oh Jess that's so sad I've been fortunate enough to never have this happen to me personally but I could only imagine how devestated I'd feel, if it ever did. I'm so sorry you had to go through this, what a horrible thing that must of been to endure & I'm sure the memory of it still makes your heart ache, even now...I know mine would!

~Rae

[Michelle & Fids]

I'm so sorry Jess, that had to be heartbreaking.

[MacawDude007]

Sorry to hear that story, although I do things around here completely differently now, actually we have this house on lockdown mode, before ANY door is opened we make sure that ALL the birds are in their cages(signs on the doors reminding us that ) I am still debating a clipping or not, most likely not, I just have to get the flight built along with the birdroom and deck for the aviary......007