Anna was very sweet for posting a eulogy for Touche at my request. When I'm upset I can't write how I would like to. When I called Anna last night I think all I said was "Touche died - he waited for me!" and then just started crying. He had waited all day for me to come home so he could have a chance to say goodbye. I've never...like never had that kind of experience. I am deeply, deeply touched he would honor me that way.
Bezil was my first rescue ferret. (oh and he was named Bezil - rhymes with weasel- because he never had a name). Some lady called the local petstore, and they knew I was an animal person (and had ferrets) and told her I might take him in. I was living with my parents at the time, so I wasn't sure that the timing was right to get another pet. She told me she would just dump him beside the road if I didn't take him. So she quickly got the address. Bezil had atrophy from being caged all his life. Then I found he had cancer. All his teeth were rotten. But, he had a great happy attitude. And - amazing- he lived two years- two really happy years, before he died. And not from cancer, but from heart failure. The record for lymphoma in ferrets is 36 months, we were getting close. I admired Bezils joy for living- and he was grateful for everyday. Touche was like that, he was so happy for a clean cage and toys and *pistachios*! I am so thankful that some of my birds have never and will never know suffering like that. They just have no idea what a big bad scary world it is out there. But the rescues...they know- and they are so appreciative of everything you do for them. Apache is like that. He was SO happy to get to sit on my shoulder like a "real bird". So proud. I have to hold his tail so he doesn't fall...but he can still do ok. As long as he still has his passion for life- I'm willing to do whatever it takes to let him live.
I miss Touche so much already. I've never had a bird greet me whenever he even thinks I'm coming around. Sure the cockatoos scream for attention- but he had a special call, just for me- that he would use whenever he saw me as a way of saying "hi". Even if I went into the kitchen at 3am to get something to drink- I'd hear Touche in the the other room doing his "hi mom"! call. (a very sleepy- hi mom call). When I first got him he wouldn't step up, he was very arthritic. I cried my eyes out the day he actually OFFERED to step up for me. And I would clean his little nose every night- he got so used to it he would offer one side and then the other for me to clean. Of course he would get a pistachio for his trouble. He was the first bird that ever "chose" me to be his special person. You'll always be my special guy Touche!
Bezil was my first rescue ferret. (oh and he was named Bezil - rhymes with weasel- because he never had a name). Some lady called the local petstore, and they knew I was an animal person (and had ferrets) and told her I might take him in. I was living with my parents at the time, so I wasn't sure that the timing was right to get another pet. She told me she would just dump him beside the road if I didn't take him. So she quickly got the address. Bezil had atrophy from being caged all his life. Then I found he had cancer. All his teeth were rotten. But, he had a great happy attitude. And - amazing- he lived two years- two really happy years, before he died. And not from cancer, but from heart failure. The record for lymphoma in ferrets is 36 months, we were getting close. I admired Bezils joy for living- and he was grateful for everyday. Touche was like that, he was so happy for a clean cage and toys and *pistachios*! I am so thankful that some of my birds have never and will never know suffering like that. They just have no idea what a big bad scary world it is out there. But the rescues...they know- and they are so appreciative of everything you do for them. Apache is like that. He was SO happy to get to sit on my shoulder like a "real bird". So proud. I have to hold his tail so he doesn't fall...but he can still do ok. As long as he still has his passion for life- I'm willing to do whatever it takes to let him live.
I miss Touche so much already. I've never had a bird greet me whenever he even thinks I'm coming around. Sure the cockatoos scream for attention- but he had a special call, just for me- that he would use whenever he saw me as a way of saying "hi". Even if I went into the kitchen at 3am to get something to drink- I'd hear Touche in the the other room doing his "hi mom"! call. (a very sleepy- hi mom call). When I first got him he wouldn't step up, he was very arthritic. I cried my eyes out the day he actually OFFERED to step up for me. And I would clean his little nose every night- he got so used to it he would offer one side and then the other for me to clean. Of course he would get a pistachio for his trouble. He was the first bird that ever "chose" me to be his special person. You'll always be my special guy Touche!
