Life Is Fragile

We humans take so much for granted, but those of us who live with animals know that life is fragile and things can change in an instant. We know our pets have lives that are much too short and that we need to make the most of each day.

This afternoon I was in the kitchen making dog food for Noah and Fudge, an activity we do every four days. I had several dogs hanging around hoping I'd drop something. The others were in the back yard enjoying the first sunshine we've seen in almost two weeks. The four birds were singing and  chattering as they watched the activity.

When I finished chopping and stirring I walked into the living room and sat down to read emails. I heard some strange soft chirping sounds from the bird area and went to see what was going on. Stanley, Calder and Norris were on the top perch making the strange noises and Elwood was lying on the floor of the cage. She had died in the seconds that it took me to walk out of the room.

Rob is cremating her in the chiminea now and the dogs are standing around him, aware that something has happened. The remaining three birds should be fine, they have each other, but it'll take me awhile to stop looking for Elwood when I glance at the cage.

Sometimes they can be annoying or we can be too wound up with our lives to stop and give them attention, but we are so fortunate to be entrusted with these precious lives and must never take them for granted.