In Memoriam

Azul & Arula, you touched so many people during your time here.  You brought us together, uniting us with one common goal.  We wanted to make your lives better.  We wanted you to know that our kind can be good and loving.  We set about to heal you and discovered we were the ones who needed healing.  There isn’t a day that will pass without remembering you both.  As you were together in life so you are in death.

Baby Peanut was not your average Parakeet.  She was a miracle.  Even her way of arriving at the rescue was special.  I knew from the instant I saw her that she would touch my life in a meaningful everlasting way. And she did just that!

Someone had donated an old aviary to us.  It was loaded with a number of next boxes that we assumed were empty.  I don’t know what told me to look inside them. Perhaps it was my motherly instinct. Perhaps it was the tiny little inhabitance demanding in a silent way that only my heart can hear, “Please! Come find us!  We need your help!”  I followed the plea.  I was shocked!  In all total there were twenty-four hatchling parakeets. The last box I investigated held Baby Peanut.  Her egg had been broken in the transport of the aviary.  It was too soon for her to enter the world but here she was!

She was the tiniest baby I’d ever seen!  No bigger than the very tip of my pinky finger. I wondered if I would be able to find a way to hand feed such a premature baby.  I ask God to please give me the knowledge and skill necessary to save this delicate life. I named her Baby Peanut because that’s what she looked like, a teeny-tiny-little peanut. 

The other babies were thriving.  Baby Peanut’s progress was slow.  Some days I thought I would lose her.  For three weeks, day and night I fed her every 90 minutes. Those of you who know me and the effect my handicap has on my ability to use my hands knew that I was in for a challenge.  My friend Marsha told me not to feel guilty if Peanut failed to make it. I insisted she was going to live! After the first two months I was pretty sure she would live.  By the end of her third month I knew she was going to stay with us.  She had finally started to grow some stubble that bloomed into lovely lavender feathers on her breast. At a little over four months she was eating well enough to take away the hand feeding formula. It was long after the others were weaned.

She grew and blossomed into a beautiful little Keet. Life was good.  Living was a wonderful adventure.  She was happy and loved.

Baby Peanut passed away in her sleep on January 29^th 2008 without any indication of illness.  She graced our lives for 2 years and 4 months.

She leaves devoted mate, Almost. We will gather together again in God’s time, Baby Peanut.  We love you.  Thank you for gracing our life.

In Loving Memory,

Jan

In Loving Memory Of Sparky
2/18/2007 to 3/20/2007

You were an amazing little guy right from your beginning. You showed incredible strength and a deep  desire to live.  You put so much joy and light into our lives! You were a big boy bird in this tiny little package.  We loved how you wanted to cuddle and have your head rubbed. We tried so hard to meet your special needs.  You knew just how much we wanted you to grow old with us. Sadly that was not to be. You crammed a whole bunch of living into a little bit of time. You are free of that troubled little body. You can now fly the heavens and will soar in our hearts forever. Join the other animals we have loved so deeply and when our time comes, be there to greet us! We will always love you! Thank you for the things you taught us, Sparky.

Jan

Non-Profit Charitable Avian Sanctuary

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