Skittles is adjusting well

[Skittys_Daddy]

Well, it's been nearly two weeks since Peaches passed and Skittles seems to be adjusting well.

While he didn't care for her at all, he did seem a bit 'disoriented' at first when I would let him follow me into the bedroom (where he normally wasn't allowed when I had Peaches unless she was covered up).

Now, I don't have to lock him away when I need to work in the bedroom. Only thing is, he has taken to my pillows and that's where he goes when I am in the bedroom.

I have noticed he is MUCH quiter now too. I've been keeping a close eye on him and his behaviors for signs of any changes and the only thing I've noticed is a decrease in his territorial behaviors. He seems to be much more laid back.

 

[WilliamKenyon]

Glad to hear that skittles is beginning to get used to no peaches. i hope you feel better as well. At least skittles has more freedom to play now.

 

[friendcaique]

it was so sad to here about peaches and seeing how skittles reacted was sad too but im glad hes adjusting well

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I have to admit, his initial reaction took me by surprise. I don't think his dislike for her is as much as I might have thought. It's just that Peaches was totally unphased by others. There was no jealousy. So Skittles reactions to her over the years stood out more. While she wouldn't let other people hold her nor sit on their fingers/shoulders, she would let them pet her and she never bit. Skittles on the other hand, he won't even let people get near me or him, nevermind pet him.

He wouldn't 'harass' her though, which was good. And they would often converse through the doors and I think he was saddened by her passing. Given that he never flies into the bedroom (usually cause the door is closed). Ordinarily, he won't fly into another room on his own unless I am already there. He won't intentionally leave my line of sight. But after Peaches passed, he was doing just that. He kept looking for her and landing on her cage and climbing down to find her.

I actually showed her to him so he could have closure as well.

Skittles can give people any number of reasons for them to dislike him, but not Peaches. If someone disliked her, they had a serious problem. She didn't have an aggressive or mean bone in her body. I'll admit though, sometimes that bothered me. Her lack of reactions to anything got on my nerves sometimes. Just like Skittles overreaction to everything does as well.

 

[mh434]

As powerful as our own emotions at the loss of a pet are, sometimes the visible grieving of a pet at the loss of its owner or another pet is even sadder. It's difficult watching my dog Rusty, searching for our dog Echo, who disappeared November 30th. Every day, when I let him out into the yard, he races out and dutifully visits each and every spot she used to go to, reading the scent of her fading pee-mails.

He gazes around for awhile, looking for her and, not finding her, eventually hangs his head and slowly makes his way back inside. It never fails to bring a tear to my eye. No one can tell me that animals don't grieve. The hardest part is, we can't explain it to them.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I absolutely agree with that. Just like no one can ever tell me animals don't have souls. If they can feel emotion, which they clearly can, then they have a soul. It's that simple.

But it is heartbreaking knowing you can't explain it to them. I remember that story a forum member posted about that sun conure who's owner passed and how lost that conure was.

It's why as much as it will hurt, I'd rather Skittles pass before I do. I'd rather shoulder the grief and pain than him. Hopefully, I won't have to worry about that for another 25-30yrs at which time I'll be near my 70s.