Until we meet again, Sweet Spike

[Terry57]

My much loved Spike passed away yesterday.
He was 32 years old, and had been with us for almost 4 years. He had lived in the same home for his entire life until his parront had to surrender all her birds to a rescue my friend owns. He was there with her for 18 months and then she allowed us to add him to our family. It broke her heart as she adored him as well, and I will be forever grateful for her entrusting us with him.

Spike was a fighter. He had a benign tumour for several years before he came to us but it was more dangerous to remove it. He never let it get in his way.

He had been slowing down recently, sleeping more and not being as active. Every morning I prepared myself in case this was the day, but he fought through. The night before he passed, he slept the whole time I was holding him. My husband and I spent the evening with him, and told him everything we wanted him to know...how we loved him, how much of an impact he had on us, what a wonderful boy he was.

I was afraid to go into his room yesterday, but he was still there, sleeping on his buddy Rex's feed dish. I picked him up, he couldn't step up, and I could feel how weak he was. I held him for 40 minutes, again telling him what a good boy he was, and how very much he was loved. I made him a soft bed on the bottom of his cage and placed him on it, and ran to get the next bird room fed so I could get back to him. I fixed the tray of food and water for the next room, and checked on him as I passed his room and he was still sleeping. I spent 10 minutes switching food and water, and when I passed his room again he was gone. He had passed in his sleep.

He was the sweetest bird I have ever had the honour of knowing, and he loved me with a dedication that I have never felt before. He loved cuddling, and singing to his Auntie Allee on the phone. He made my world a better place, and will be forever remembered and missed.

Spike is now singing his sweet song to the angels.
Lucky them.

Spikeler, Mama loves you, and I thank you for the incredible gifts you brought to my life. You were one of a kind, and will never be forgotten.Until we meet again, I will hold you in my heart.

 

[Allee]

I met Spike for the first time during a long distance phone chat, Spike’s home in Canada, mine in Central Texas. Spike’s story had deeply touched me before I ever heard his sweet voice across the miles. Spike was already in his thirties when my friend, Terry shared his story with me. Terry’s one on one time with Spike often coincided with our evening chats. One evening while I was rattling on about some nonsense on speaker, Spike for reasons of his own was attracted to my voice, maybe my Texas accent, who knows, but he climbed to Terry’s shoulder as close to the phone as he could get and insisted on singing his beautiful song to me. I’ve loved the sound of birds since I was a child, the melody of life, of nature, of the universe. So to have this fragile little creature who was feeling his health decline insist on giving a private solo truly melted my heart. He may have lacked perfect health but the tiny little guy never lacked spirit. After the first phone solo, Spike never missed an opportunity to sing to me when he heard my voice. I’m so sorry I never got to cuddle that sweet boy. I will miss him forever.

I want to thank Terry for giving Spike a wonderful home and all the love and respect he deserved in his last years. I also want to offer humble gratitude to my friend for sharing Spike’s sparkling personality with me across the miles.

Terry, I’m so very sorry for your sad loss, he was such a powerful personality, I know the space he left and the pain you’re feeling is tremendous. The rainbow bridge welcomed a beautiful little VIB into their exalted group yesterday.

I could have searched forever and never found a more fitting poem than this one by Emily Dickinson.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

Spike, your friendship brought me pure joy and your song will play in my heart for the rest of my days. Fly free, Little One. You will be remembered.

 

[Inger]

What beautiful tributes to sweet Spike. My heart is breaking for both of you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[saxguy64]

Oh Terry, I'm so sorry. He obviously knew he was loved, and gave you so much in return. It's always difficult, but it's the special ones like him that are hardest. If there's an upside, it's that you saw it coming, and got to say goodbye, and tell him again he was a good boy, and you loved him. Fly free little Spike.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Scott]

I am so sorry, Terry. My deepest condolences for your loss of Spike. He was a tender and special soul, time will slowly heal a gaping loss. You will never forget dear Spike, he will always remain in your heart.

Heartfelt warm feathered hugs, My Friend.

 

[itzjbean]

I'm so sorry! Farewell Spike, you were much loved by your family!

 

[wrench13]

Terry I think Spike knew how much he was loved by you and yours. Sad news indeed.

Spike RIP.

 

[Laurasea]

I'm so sorry. No matter how much time we have with them it is never ever enough.

 

[SailBoat]

Terry, my dearest friend! My heart and prayers are with you and your dear Spike.
My pray for Spike and you...

“Do not stand by my grave and weep my friend.
I am not here. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the gentle summer rain.
When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry my friend.
I am not there. I did not die.”

My prayer for you my beloved feathered friend:

“May your body nourish this earth.
May your soul find release and contentment.
May you fly high and free upon wings of spirit.
Rest in peace little one.”
The love and tender warmth of you is a un-full-fill-able void.
I do so much thank-you for creating a space for another, a special place next to yours’."

Huge Warm Amazon Feather Hugs and Prayers dear friend...

 

[Flboy]

I know the hurt is real, but the love is stronger!

 

[LaManuka]

Terry I’m so sorry for your loss, made all the more difficult to bear in these deeply troubling times. But in my next life I want to come back as one of your pampered birds! Spike was so fortunate to have spent his last years luxuriating in your care and you sent him on his final journey to the Rainbow Bridge wrapped in your boundless love - none of us could ask for more than that.

Godspeed to the Bridge precious Spike, until we all meet again.

 

[chris-md]

My sweet Terry, I’m so very very sorry to be reading this. Thank you and reg for giving spike such a wonderful home<3

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

Hey, Terry, funny thing about you, the more love you give out to birds, the more you seem to have to give. You're some kind of nuclear chain reactor of bird love. Okay, sweetheart, hang in there, like you always do.

 

[Terry57]

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts and comforting words. You touched our hearts, and Reg & I appreciate that more than I can ever say.

The wonderful forum family we are so lucky to be a part of can always be counted on for knowing just what to say to ease the terrible pain.
Thank you all again for that.

 

[Chrissiejingles]

So sorry for your loss of Spike.
I am really pleased that he had a wonderful life with you and a peaceful end.
May he fly free at Rainbow Bridge with all those beautiful friends of ours x

 

[Anansi]

Fly free, sweet Spike, unencumbered by tumor or physical limitation. You will be deeply and sorely missed.

Terr, I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Little Spike was such an amazing bird. You can tell by all the hearts he stole across international distances. I was very much a part of his fan club as well.

And remain so, because his spirit lives on.

My friend, the love that you give to your birds is beyond measure. And it is a love that is truly unconditional. I say this because you've rescued so many, and ask for naught in return. You've rescued some who'd had terrible lives, and as a result are scarred forever. And would eat you right up if they could. Yet the love you give them remains undiminished. Undaunted. You love them day in and day out. Whether they're trying to eat your face or sweetly call out your name. You love them fully. Completely.

And often, thanklessly.

Which is why I know losing Spike hits particularly hard. Because though you never ask for anything, Spike loved you with everything. And he showed it to you every single day. Boundless in his affection, the sun obviously rose and set wherever you stood. He loved you from the depths of his soul with all that he had.

And loves you still, because his spirit lives on.

His spirit lives on in every one of the cherished memories that he gifted to you. In every smile he brought to your face. In every note he sang to his Auntie Allee. In every flutter of your heart as you think of him.

Try not to think of Spike in his moment of passing, Terr. But rather in all the moments shared in the four years you had together. All the joy. The laughter. The memories that will live on forever in both heart and mind. Spike may have passed, my friend, but he'll never be gone.

His spirit lives on.

 

[Terry57]

Oh Stephen, I am smiling through my tears. It warms my heart to know that he lives on not only in my memory, but in the memories of others who came to love him across the miles because of who he was.
That is a life well lived.

 

[Betrisher]

There's just something about the humble, quiet little bird who weaves a magic thread into and around our lives, isn't there? I hope it's not too long before the sweet memories bring smiles instead of tears. Sending hugs across the ocean to you tonight. XXXX

PS. Dommie's already there. I hope he and Spike are together and singing raucous Oz songs for all the other birdies in heaven.

 

[BoomBoom]

My condolences to you and your family Spike was so well loved and care for. I'm sure he appreciates his last few years with you.

 

[GaleriaGila]

A song for Spike and Terry.
From now on, when we hear it, we can think about Spike.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSz16ngdsG0"]sarah mclachlan - i will remember you - YouTube[/ame]