Thank you all - I'm having a difficult time - Louie was such a part of me. I know you all understand thank you. My house is empty with out Louie's morning clucks. His soft little "hellos and I love yous" I really couldn't have imagined that it would be this difficult.

It's always dificult when you lose a buddy.

Paula, many of us can empathize with how you are feeling. Sending you a poem and .


"I'll lend you, for a little while, a bird of mine," He said.
"For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.
It may be six or seven years, or maybe twenty-three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, as all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this bird to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love - not think this labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again.
I fancied that I heard them say, 'Dear Lord, thy will be done.'
For all the joy this bird shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shower him with tenderness and love while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever-grateful stay.
And should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."

Author Unknown

i somehow missed this post before. i had really hoped this would have a happy ending. i am so sorry for your loss. i would be totally crushed if i lost one of my kids.

please take care.

Hello all - i find myself reliving Louie's last days thinking of what I did wrong. If I ever get another bird I don't want to make the same mistake. I did pet a bird at a retirement home one day prior to Louie getting sick ( a small cockatiel) I fed him some corn on the cob that sat out overnight. We had some company over the other night and he was preening him. Maybe I didn't feed him enough vegetables? His illness happened so quickly . Any idea's out there.?

Paula, you cant blame yourself for this or guilt will make you crazy. Did the Dr confirm Salmonella?

No he didn't confirm salmonella. he took a bowel sample but there was no poop left, I don't think he took a blood sample either.

Well, hang in there. Theres no words to tell you how we can all understand your pain. And it will hurt for a long time Paula. Im so very sorry.

How about pesticide? That's what it sounds like to me because of the blood and the vomiting :| Was anything sprayed inside or outside the house? Do you live in an apartment or rental? Sometimes they come in unannounced while you're gone and spray for ants & roaches having no idea or care that it would be deadly to a bird. My friend lost an Iguana that way.

I am so.....so.....so very sorry about what happened. I also missed this thread and just saw it today and was reading through, hoping so much for a happy ending. I lost one of my beloved fids as well, tragically, but any lost of a love one is horribly difficult. And it WILL hurt for a lot time, and you WILL constantly be going over the last few days and wondering what might have happened, but with time, it gets easier. But you'll always have that pain...however, you'll always have the sweet, precious, warm memories as well. Those good memories may even hurt you to think about right nhow because your heart yearns for your fid, but in time they will be sweet again.

*warm hugs*

We are thinking of you. The house must be so quiet. Hang in there and be good to yourself. This wasn't your fault.