Chica passed at just four years old...

[Chica_]

Chica was my first parrot after me begging my parents for one for years. She very quickly became my favorite pet, and when I say she was my baby, I mean it. I would have died for her. She was the best conure I could have asked for, with a great, fiery personality and she was very chattery and loved learning words. She could say "good girl," "chica," "bath time," "no," sentences comprised of those words like "Chica is a good girl. Bath time?" and "I'm a sad girl" (she got that one from me singing Lana Del Rey). She loved to dance to Nirvana and was always a pleasure to be with. I loved her to death. No pet could ever, ever replace her.
She died quiet suddenly. She was completely healthy and fine looking until a little after midnight when she fell from her happy hut to the ground in a twisted lump. I think that was a seizure, and then she had a couple more seizures and lost consciousness a few more times on the way to the emergency vet. We live very close to it so it was less than 5 minutes from her falling down and us getting there. On the way there, I knew she was dying. For the most part she hadn't been making eye contact with me but the last minute, she held eye contact and I knew she was very close to dying. I was just lightly petting her head and telling her what a good girl she was because I knew this was it. By the time we got to the vet her heart had stopped and she was dead. The vet examined her and said more than likely this was a condition she had that we wouldn't know about unless something really bad like this happened, because she was in great condition otherwise and was acting completely normally until right when she fell and hadn't had contact with lead or anything dangerous. Still, I feel responsible for this. I feel like somehow this was my fault and I failed my little baby. I should have taken better care of her.
I just needed to be able to say this some place where someone understands how much a parrot can mean in your life. She was actually a child to me. I've been so distraught that I barely got three hours of sleep and I've been crying and hysterical all day. I just don't know what to do. I've never been so affected by the death of a pet or even a person before. I woke up this morning and normally she chirps to me and is really excited to see that I'm awake and I looked over to her cage today and immediately started crying. Every time I look at it or walk by it I start crying soI feel like I should put it out in the garage but I can't do that. I can't part with it. Because I'm so incredibly heartbroken, I've wondered if getting another pet would help ease the pain but I feel like it'll either make things a lot better or a lot worse.

RIP my sweet little girl, Chica. Life will not be the same without you

 

[LeaKP]

Ooooohhhh what a pretty bird she was! I'm so sorry!

 

[Timothy]

She definitely is a beautiful bird. I'm so sorry for your loss, I know how hard it is to lose a bird. I lost one of my first birds "Buddy" a violet peach face lovebird at 4 yrs due to egg-bound during the night. Woke up and she was at the bottom of the cage (she wasn't a breeder and i thought she was a Male, that what her info said)

But anyway i know what you're going through and you little baby can never be replaced.

RIP Chica

 

[Timothy]

I read your other post about your mom setting off flea bombs in the house, and after reading everything that you did to keep your Chica safe, i really don't think it was due to the flea bombs in the other parts of the house. That was on the 9th of aug, today is sep 1st. But then again i really have no knowledge of how those things affect birds, because i have never been in that situation or did any research concering that. Maybe it caused a problem that progressed? talk to your vet about it. if it was the problem, tell your mom so you can explain to her the devastating effects chemicals have on birds. they are extremely sensitive to most chemicals.

 

[veimar]

Oh I'm so sorry for your loss! It broke my heart when I read your post. It's like loosing a family member… Maybe it is a good idea to get another bird, but a little later.

 

[labell]

I have lost both very significant people (both parents) and many beloved pets over the almost half a century that I have been kicking around and I will tell you that there were times that a pets death affected me as much or more than a human's. Don't let anyone tell you how you should grieve, it is a very personal process and there isn't a right or a wrong way to do it.

Only you can say if getting another bird will help right now. I know with some people this can distract them and help with the healing process. The important thing is if you decide to get another bird don't have any expectation that it will be like Chica so that you won't be disappointed and the bird will have a fair chance at becoming your new love as there isn't a replacement for the old loves, they do live in your heart forever though! Hugs to you!!!

 

[MrsKay]

I'm so sorry you lost Chica. I think a new friend is just what you need.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

I'm so sorry for your loss of Chica. It is truly a heartbreaking situation to lose a beloved and close family member..... any family member... feathered, furred, human, etc. I understand exactly what you are going through and want to share that should get a little bit easier after a few days for you to not feel overwhelmed by her loss and the way it happened. If you have photos and videos of Chica, you might find it helpful to look at them and feel free to let them make you smile and laugh. Share them with others, or make an online video or tribute page for Chica.

Chica sounds like she was a great friend and member of your family. She probably taught you many things that you will keep as part of you forever.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am so sorry for your loss of Chica. She sounds like she was a delightful little bird. Chica is flying free now though. I think moving her cage may be a good idea if it really upsets you to see. You can decide what to do with it at a later date, but for now, it may be best to have it out of sight. Take your time to mourn her loss, and when (if) you feel ready, then look for a new feathered friend.

 

[Mango121913]

Heartbreaking. You be able to deal with this better as time goes on. It will never go away, you learn how to deal with it. Whenever you think about Chica, remember, she is near. The bond you shared with her is stronger than life itself. You too one day will be reunited with ypur baby. This I am sure of. Another bird, maybe in a few weeks. When you let yourself calm down a bit. Then get one when you're not just trying to fill the hole in your life right now, YOU need to heal first. No pet will be the same as the other. All have different personalities.
I know you will be a great mother to your next baby, just give yourself time.
Godspeed.

 

[thekarens]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's devastating.

 

[Terry57]

I am so sorry for your loss of Chica She was such a beautiful girl, and I am sure she was comforted by you being with her at the end. Please don't blame yourself, she was obviously well loved. My thoughts are with you

 

[Selestine]

I'm so sorry.

Like others have said, please don't blame yourself. It is a very natural feeling to have when something like this happens.. I think most of us feel like someone is to blame when something so devastating happens, and when there isn't anyone to blame we choose ourselves. It is just human nature.

It wasn't your fault and Chica loved you immensely and had a wonderful life.

I know if it were me, I would need some time to heal, so I didn't feel so raw. But I would definitely want another bird in time.

 

[MacawLoverOf3]

I am so sorry for you loss but a necropsy should have been done to determine the underlying cause of the death. A vet cannot just say ' likely this was a condition she had that we wouldn't know about unless something really bad like this happened' without doing that necropsy to tell you what that condition was.

If I was in your shoes I would want to know the exact cause so in the event another bird came to me I would have either corrected the cause, i.e. those painted cages from China with all the lead in the paint. That is just one example of a bad thing that has and still does happen.

 

[faeryphoebe1]

I am so sorry. (((hugs)))

Chica was a beautiful conure. She sounds like she was a very special girl.

 

[Erniebird8]

So sorry about your loss. It would be hard to forget that special friend!

 

[Chica_]

I am so sorry for you loss but a necropsy should have been done to determine the underlying cause of the death. A vet cannot just say ' likely this was a condition she had that we wouldn't know about unless something really bad like this happened' without doing that necropsy to tell you what that condition was.

If I was in your shoes I would want to know the exact cause so in the event another bird came to me I would have either corrected the cause, i.e. those painted cages from China with all the lead in the paint. That is just one example of a bad thing that has and still does happen.

A necropsy was ordered but it will be two weeks before we get the results and the vet was kind enough to say she would call us back and explain the results in person. She said what she did because I was saying I felt like I killed her and she seemed very certain that that was not the case because she examined the bird and saw no signs that she was sick. She said she looked very healthy and well cared for. I feel awful though because we can't even afford to pay the bills and we're doing this

 

[Allee]

You're little Chica was indeed a lovely girl, thank you for sharing her precious photo. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm glad you told her story and yours, we do understand and you are welcome here.

Grief is different for everyone and always so hard. If it's too emotional for you to move Chica's cage right now, then it isn't time. Give yourself a chance to process the loss of your friend. When the time is right, a new friend will find his or her way into your life and your heart and you can start a brand new and unique journey.

 

[Dinodude]

I feel like crying, this reminds me of my green cheek conure who flew away
I sincerely feel your pain.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I'm so sorry about losing your friend. Hopefully getting necropsy results will give you a little more peace with having an answer.


The loss, the grief, it never really goes away, but it eases and finds its place in time. And, even though one bird can never, ever replace the one lost, if and when you are ready to welcome a new bird, you two can have your own special friendship. (I ADORE my Gilbert, I can't even imagine my life without him......and he came to me after the tragic loss of my bird before him. So, my point is, even with the sadness and grief, you can have a very happy relationship with a new bird.)