A Quick Hello

Hi everyone, we're still here.  It's been a rough week around here. It was worst for Jake. The poor little guy was probably sick when we brought him home in October. He used to fall off his perch a lot. I chalked it up to him being young and clumsy. We've had young clumsy birds before. Holly used to fall off her perch a lot at night. Imagine trying to sleep on one leg, balanced on a round stick with your head tucked under your wing (arm). We made a platform for Holly and she slept on that till she learned to balance.

A couple weeks ago Elwood, Jake's brother began picking on him. He screeched at him and would peck at him. That's when the red flag went up for me. Birds often attack a sick member of the flock. We separated them, but by then Jake was looking sick. He sat very quietly, all fluffed up and didn't seem very happy. As he got sicker he started squatting on the platform we gave him and we knew we were getting close to the end. I kept him warm and semi-dark and gave him some supplements, but I knew he wouldn't last long.

Elwood and Holly didn't see him die and so they're both doing well.

Tsar has had a so so week. His legs are getting worse and he struggles to stand up. I give him some help now, one hand on his collar to steady him and one hand on his belly to support him as he gets his uncooperative legs under him. Once he starts moving, he's wobbly, but he manages to get where he wants to go. His appetite is good and he's still very alert and seems content.

I've felt a lot of stress having both a sick bird and a sick dog to care for. Today I slept in with a bad headache while Rob fed the pack. I've been napping on and off all day and trying to get rested up for the next week. I have been visiting your blogs, though I haven't left many comments.

Thank you  for all the supportive messages you've sent regarding Tsar. On some of our worst days your words have given me hope and comfort. It's very hard watching your old dog die. You keep seeing him as that silly pup getting into trouble and you wonder how suddenly he's that old fellow lying at your feet panting.

Tomorrow I'll share some family photos with you.