Conference 7.286::pet_birds

57.0. "My Little Friend" by CIMBAD::POWERS (I Dream Of Wires - G. Numan) Fri Nov 18 1988 08:00

     I have been a silent reader of this notesfile since it was announced
to the public.  Last night my budgie past on, so before I close out this
conference today, I thought I would share with you all a little bit of my
little friend.

Bill Powers

===============================================================================

                                The Meeting

     I remember the day well, I came home from school, that Valentine's Day
and found you in my room.  A present from my mother to help the void filled
by the loss of my previous friend.  You were so young, only 8 weeks old.  
It was late at night, and I watched you cling to the side of the cage with
trepidation at your new surroundings, there you stayed the night.  
     The next day the family asked "Well, What is his name?".  I said "He 
reminds me of a character in the Berke Breathed comic strip 'Bloom County',
so I proclaimed you "OPUS".

                            His Finest Moments

     As my cobalt blue budgie grew, you began to trust in us, and we trained
you well.  Your first trick was something we didn't teach you, you learned on
your own.  You knew that the clothespin kept you secure in your cage, when you
wanted out.  So everytime we opened the door to the cage, you would come out,
pick up the clothespin from the ledge of the cage and drop it on the floor in 
hopes of it not being found.  This trick you did to the last of your days.

     And what a talker my little friend was.  Everyone would laugh when you
would blurt out "Merry Christmas", when it was the middle of July with a
temperature of 95 degrees F.  Sometimes you got your mords wixed, and would
get it wrong, and proclaim to everyone to have a "Merry Crispy".  There were
also times we would swear you knew what you were saying.  Once when my Aunt
Lois was visiting from Texas, you blurted out "Hi Honey" as she walked by,
her mouth dropping wide open in surprise.  And then there were the times
you would ask where your favorite person, my sister Theresa, was, by exclaiming
"Where's Theresa?" in plain English, or say "Hi Bubby" or "Give me a Kiss" when
she would enter the room.

     And what a troublemaker you could be at times.  Do you remember all the
times you would fly to the window, to talk to the wild birds at the birdfeeder
just outside the window, I'm sure they do.  For you would always scare them 
away.  You see they didn't understand what you meant, when you would say
"Hi Birdies" to them.  There was also the time you just had to see what it
was in Theresa's cereal bowl, so you jumped into the bowl, only to be covered
with milk, well you found out.


                                   My Goodbye

     And as I sit here writing this with tears streaming from my eyes, all I can
think to say to you my little friend is "GOODBYE".

                 OPUS  -  December 12, 1985 - November 17, 1988

Bill Powers

    That was one of the nicest tributes I have ever seen written.
    
    OPUS was lucky to have you.
    
    My thoughts are with you.
    
    	-nancy

    Bill,
    
      Thanks for sharing your memories of your little friend. It's those
    precious memories that will always keep "friends" alive in our hearts.
    
                                Paul

    Bill!
    
    I'm so sorry you lost your buddy!  For as many birds as I have,
    is cry for each one that passes, and I am crying now for you! Gee,
    I feel like it was mine!
    
    That was the most tender thing I've ever read!
    
    I just happen to have a violet hen on 4 eggs!  Three of these babies
    are promised, the 4th is yours if you want it Bill!  He'll be hand
    fed and tame!  Where do you live?  You are most welcome to this
    little baby when he comes!  He can never be an OPUS, but he'd be
    done a great justice to go home to you!
    
    Sniff!  8^{
    
    Jean Hutchins
    381-1008