Can Skittles tell my heart is broken?

[Skittys_Daddy]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, I don't know. But for the first few weeks after Peaches passed, I was doing okay (considering) and I've come to understand that it mostly was probably because of shock, despite it being in the back of my mind for the few months prior.

But for the past few weeks, the shock has been wearing off and Skittles has suddenly taken to 'hiding out' inside my t-shirts while I'm wearing them. I'd concluded that he is just doing it cause he likes to rub his face against my chest hair, but why after five years is he 'suddenly' doing this?

Part of me thinks it's coincidence, but Skittles has always had a thing for my t-shirts, but in the five years that I've had him, he never was doing this until the shock of losing Peaches started wearing off. I've also noticed he tends to 'hang out' right by my heart. Is he trying to console me? Or am I reading too much into it.

Maybe it's just me wanting to see that because I need to, I don't know. But I can't see to figure out any other reason why he would suddenly start doing that.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hello and so sorry for your loss. I have read your posts with tears in my eyes and like you have broke my heart over much loved lost little ones too.
Birds are amazingly empathetic so yes Skittles is probably picking up your emotions. Many companion parrots are highly empathetic to the energy of their human flock. You gave Peaches a good life, you did your best for her, try to be positive, remember your little feathered friend with love and affection. Life is a long list of what if's and maybe's (we all have one), you did the very best. I have no wish to come across as glib but Skittles needs you as much as you need him so please enjoy your beautiful little gift. Very best wishes to you

 

[Birdman666]

At the VERY WORST part of my divorce, when my ex-wife discovered just how much money she could get if she were to get full custody of our daughter, and restrict me to visitation only...

SHE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER (EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD BEEN THE ABUSIVE ONE...) Now, my head told me she would never in a million years get away with it, but emotionally, it was so far over the top, that I had a complete melt down...

PAPAYA, my little sun conure, was my only bird at the time. He became extra velcro-ed and did every trick he knew, every goofy thing, to try and cheer me up... And when that didn't work, he climbed on my shoulder and literally licked my tears away... (his way of drying my tears!)

He got me through that night. Volunteering at the bird rescue got me through the rest of it...

YES. THEY ARE EXTREMELY EMPATHIC. THEY KNOW, SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN WE DON'T REALIZE HOW UPSET WE ARE. SO MUCH OF THEIR "LANGUAGE" IS BODY LANGUAGE, THAT THEY PICK UP ON THE LITTLE THINGS, THAT WE DON'T EVEN REALIZE WE'RE DOING...

THEY'RE REALLY RATHER ASTOUNDINGLY ACCURATE IN THAT DEPARTMENT.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Thank you both for the kind replies. I sort of gathered that was the case. I just didn't want to read into it anything else.

This past week has just been super hard for whatever reason and in all honesty, knowing how much Skittles loves and needs me makes me keep going on. I just hope my pain isn't hurting him.

 

[Birdman666]

Nope.

He just knows something is wrong, and is trying to cheer you up.

They do that!

 

[Iholm5]

We lost our pet chameleon yesterday to egg-binding, and the entire rest of the day Zelda spent her time on my shoulder cuddled close to my neck. Every once in a while she would give me a quiet little quack (as I've termed the sound she makes) and rub her beak on me. She refused to let my wife take her off and would grip my shirt as hard as possible when Amy asked her to step up. It made me feel really good. Our cockatoo was acting very similar to my wife, and he was oddly quiet yesterday.

 

[mh434]

I honestly believe that our birds recognize our grief, and try to console us. I've had a LOT of tragic losses over the last couple of years (dogs, birds, my lizard, my best friend, to name a few) and after each one, Sammy the 'Zon is extra clingly. He's quiet, so as not to interrupt, but very, very close. I swear, he's grieving with me. It just makes you love them all the more...

 

[Peppo]

I believe it too. Paco even knows when I am mad at my husband. He doesn't hear us argue but when we give each other the silent treatment, Paco stays extra close and gives my husband the evilest eye when he walks by us (me and Paco are typically sitting on the chair together). Paco always takes my side in all matters. What a good boy...
I am sure Skittles is just giving you what you need, that's what best friends are for!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I remember a story Jeff Dunham told in one of his specials. Every time he and his wife (now ex) would have an argument and go to bed without solving it, his dog would pee on his wife during the night. Jeff said it only happened when their were arguments and it happened so many times that it could not have been a coincidence.

I was talking to a friend of mine last night and telling her that now I feel bad because Skittles is hurting cause I am hurting. It's a vicious cycle and one I hope to put an end too soon. Hopefully, I will have my appt this afternoon.

 

[JellyBean]

Hey Skittys_Dadddy... you should not feel bad for thinking you are hurting Skittles.. You are not hurting your little feathered friend.. Skittles is stepping up literally and figuratively and just wants to help. Let him. Like any creature, it is wonderful to be needed!

 

[Staples915]

it's amazing how animals communicate with us and even know our emotions better than we do at times... a loss is a loss and yes heartfelt as well.. yes all animals know when we grieve and yes they do their best to console us.. I'm sure if he thought he was being hurt by you he would not hide in your shirt..... he likes the interaction as much as you need it.... enjoy and relax all is well in your home....Skitty knows exactly what he is doing just accept it and enjoy. Hugs to you... you certainly need one or two

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

The funniest thing is for the past few days I've been feeling so much better. It appears I was suffering from a mood swing episode that was likely triggered by grief. Anyways, the funny part is this. While Skittles will still do the hiding in shirt, he's not doing it as much. When I wasn't feeling well, he would stay there for hours, I'd have to walk around with him in my shirt cause he wouldn't leave.

It just amazes me how smart he is. I know parrots are very intelligent - but truthfully, Skittles is smarter than your average toddler. At least I don't have pay for babysitting, daycare nor have to deal with smelly diapers. lol

 

[StarryEyedGirl]

I'm glad you're feeling a little better. And again, sorry for your loss. I'm glad you had Skitty there to help you in your time of need. They truly are amazing creatures.

I had an accident happen and ended up in the hospital for a week and my poor Harley was so upset. My boyfriend was sad about me not being home and that I was hurt. Harley put aside his own grief to comfort my boyfriend. He would snuggle with him at night. Pressed right against his face cuddled in his eye socket. He would take his little foot and reach for my boyfriends finger as if to hold it and console him.

When momma got home though, Harley could sense my heartache from being given away from him and he flew right over to me and started giving kisses. I started crying and he liked my tears away then pressed against the nape of my neck and wouldn't move.

It's truly amazing what these creatures who become our children are capable of.

 

[Ollie_Ash]

These are some really some amazing stories. I had no idea our feathered friends were empathetic.

@Skittys_Daddy, hope both you guys are doing well!