Newman, a Sun Conure,adopted us in May of 2003. He was not even weaned when we brought him home. I was scared that I would not make a good Mom. Hand feeding him with a syringe terrified me. Every morning at 6am I would come down to Newman and he would squawk with joy to see me and know I was there to feed him. He soon was weaned and starting eating people food. One of his morning rituals was to get up with my husband, rock in the recliner and snuggle up to his neck.
We didn't cage him. He loved to sit in the window and just gaze outside for hours, letting the sunshine bounce off his brilliantly colored feathers while Mary Black played softly in the background. He was a little ray of sunshine in his own right.
He flew throughout the house, dive-bombing dinner plates, snatching food, landing where-ever he liked. Newman was a free spirit
In the summer, he enjoyed playing outside on the deck in the fresh air.
He was a joyous little dickens to have in our lives!
He loved eggs and toast, steamed veggies and flax seed. Petey, our Lovebird, and Newman had a special bond. Together, they would zoom around the house ,landing on window sills and perches throughout the house. Newman knew he was loved tremendously. He had his flight wings and freedom to go anywhere. He chose to stay here with us. We were truly blessed.
Then, one evening, February 27, 2005, tragedy struck. Newman, one hour , was eating dinner and squawking in the evening sun. Bedtime nearing, my husband checked on Newman . We assumed he was sleeping under his towel which draped his cage. He unfortunately was sitting on the bottom of his cage, unable to perch.
His breathing was labored and his heart pumped heavily. Nearly too weak to hold up his head, my husband quickly and gently pick him up to cuddle and comfort him. I immediately started calling vet centers in Pennsylvania and Ohio for any advice. Our emergency center here did not have an Avian vet on call. I finally contact a vet in Ohio ,three hours from our home. She informed me to keep him warm and try to hydrate him with warm Pedialyte. I quickly grabbed the heating pad and put it under Newman, snuggling with my husband. He gently stroked Newman and spoke softly, reassuring him that he was loved dearly.No time had passed and I told Newman I would be back.,that I was going to get him medicine. I told him I loved him and jumped in the truck, speeding to the grocery store to get Pedialyte.
When I returned,I was too late... by one minute. Newman had passed.
My husband was holding him, whispering to him that he was loved and everything was okay. At those words, Newman picked up his head with whatever strength he could muster, looked around, took a deep long last breath and went to sleep.
It all happened so quickly. Within in 48 minutes, Newman had died.
I was in disbelief. I had to see Newman for myself.
I went to Newman, picked up his tiny, frail lifeless, body and cuddled him. He had died with one eye open. As if to wait for me....to see me before he went. To see me before he said good-bye.
I gently kissed him and closed his open eye.
We made a small coffin and placed him in it.
We suffered a terrible loss, but looking back on Newman's life, I , my,husband and close friends agreed.....Newman lived his life with dignity and love. He had a short life, but a fulfilled life that most humans would envy.
Most of all, he died in the arms of someone that loved him.. not in the botttom of a cage in a vet's office.
With his last breath of life...he knew he was loved.
His death was not in vain.
He taught us a precious lesson.
That life is too short. People must stop looking at what they don't have and appreciate what they have. Newman sure did that!
Also, with every precious breath that loved ones take...cherish every moment......for you might not have another ,
Lastly.... everyone with children, pets, mothers, fathers,friends......take a moment out of every day to tell them how much you care and.................. remember Newman.
