Petey is a Peach-faced Lovebird that blessed our lives for 5 years. When we first got him from a pet store, his heart was broken, they had sold his mate. He lived in a cage by himself. He had no feathers, except on his head. He was a neurotic mess. We called him “nubby” because, his body was a bare little nub. But, one day we were cleaning his cage, he flew out ….never to enter the cage again. Petey seemed much happier and started growing his feathers . They were a brilliant green with underlying aqua blue. He was just a handsome bird!
We soon, adopted Newman, our Sun Conure. He fell in love with Newman. They became best buddies! He flew throughout the house with Newman. They flew from room to room chirping and squawking…just having a good ole time. They sat together in the window , sunning themselves. They sat on the valance and gazed down at everyone in the room.
On February 27th, 2005 Newman was suddenly ill and passed very quickly. Poor Petey was heartbroken once again. After a few months though, Petey adopted Kramer, our African Grey. A parrot 5 times his size. They looked so cute together! Every morning when Kramer came downstairs Peters got so excited, buzzing around the house like a mad-man, chirping and flapping his wings. He loved Kramer so much! He hung out all day with Kramer. They would eat together, drink together play and shred magazines together. He even brushed and flossed his “teeth” with us and sat on my shoulder when I was lovin’ on Kramer. Petey never liked anyone to touch him though. Petey even would regurgitate for Kramer. Petey was second in command next to Kramer. He thought he was a big bird. He sat on the big perches and acted like he owned the joint.
Petey was always buzzing your head and landing on your shoulder just to let you know that he was there with you. We never clipped Petey’s wings or nails, mainly because we couldn’t catch him. When we would go outside in the summer, Peters would gaze out the window, just dreaming of the great outdoors. He wished he could get out, just one time.
One year ,exactly, had passed since Newman’s death. It was the morning of February 27th 2006. It was a cold, windy, snowy, grey day. The temperature was about 21 degrees. My husband started going out the door to go to work, just like he did every other morning. That morning though, Petey was right there and whizzed by, made a hard right turn and out into the blustery wind and snow.
He landed on the neighbors Russian Olive tree which hung over into our drive. My husband called out him, he chirped and flew down the block. He landed on a telephone pole. Kramer, John & I tried to coax him down with apple juice and lemon poppy seed cake. He just sat there, and preened himself. It was like he had been there all his life. He flew to the back yard. He landed in an old Elm tree about 40 feet tall. The wind whipped through the branches but, Petey held tight. He kept flying around the perimeter of the house for about 8 hours.
Periodically, we went outside, to coax him down, calling his name and singing to him. Petey just responded with a chirp or two. The wind was blowing so hard! Once, it blew Peters 180 degrees around the tree branch.. Petey just hanged on to the branch and “pulled” himself back up to sit on top again. It was starting to get dark.
I went outside to try to coax him in again. He was sitting in a fifty foot Oak in the neighbors yard ,this time, just watching the house. He flew closer to the ground. I thought for sure he would land this time. Surely, he must be getting cold by now! Nope. He flew about 15 feet above my head, circled around me twice, chirped at me, as if to say “goodbye , thanks for everything” and he flew off.
We have not seen Petey since. Kramer does not chew his magazines anymore, he is sad all the time. He sits on the shower curtain where they would hang out and call “Petey” for hours. I try to cheer him up and love on him, but he looks around for Peters. I can almost feel him on my shoulder, playing with my hair. There is an emptiness in our lives now.
Little Peters just filled the room with an electricity the I can’t quite describe. He put a smile on your face just to look at him. He flew around with confidence, dignity and a sassiness that a Siamese cat would envy. I guess he just wanted to be free. Though he wasn’t caged, he probably felt trapped knowing that there was a big world out there, just calling his name. With no walls to hold him back. He was born to fly.
We have left the light on for him, placed his favorite perches and dishes outside, posted flyers on telephone poles, run lost ads in the paper, contacted every shelter in town , posted him on the internet and called the Pennsylvania Audubon Society to keep an eye out for him. We have also asked for prayers. The weather here has been extremely cold.
Petey is a hearty little fellow, with a wild spirit and personality all his own. Maybe Newman was calling him, maybe Peters wanted to experience the freedom of flying before he left this world. I only know that whatever Petey is doing, where ever he may be, he is in a better place. Doing what he always wanted to do. I know that he has either been reunited with Newman, or he is having a great time enjoying his freedom. Who knows, maybe we will see some peach-faced sparrows this spring. But, if by chance, you happen to see him, Please, please, let us know. It would put a smile in my heart to think that he is living his ultimate dream, heart’s desire!
We are here waiting for you if you ever want to come home.
Kramer really misses you! You are in our prayers little guy!
And Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, wherever you are, know that WE LOVE YOU!!!!
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Petey's Story
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Petey has been flying free for :
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