Mr. Blu Has His Young New Wings

Because of Mr. Blu's age, and the likely hood he'd stress himself out if he'd have to be handled for medication, likely causing more damage to his fragile self, it is with tears in my eyes that he was sent to see Pako on Friday.

He had an exam that day... and flopped around like a little fish, similarly as when I had to leave work to put him in the transport cage so my folks could take him over to the vet. 
The only thing he permitted us to touch was the end of his beak. If anything came close to the inside of his mouth, he'd chomp on it and fall of his perch. 

I went though years of medicating and nebulizing Pako, who handled everything pretty well and I still felt like I was stressing him out and offending him. With Pako, we could gush over him and spoil him with attention to offset the offense. Blu would just become grumpy and unease. Instead of happily talking with me, he'd probably just growl and dread anyone's approach. 

Going to my folk's place on Saturday was tough. One of the first things I do when I go there is say hi to the bur-burs. I'd shout "MR. BLUUUU! What are you doing Mr. Bluuuuu?" and he'd coo excitedly and hobble over to the side of the cage so I could mess with his beak. When I walked away he'd get offend, so I'd steal some food from the kitchen (since I usually am over there around dinner time) and hang out in my parent's bedroom and watch TV with him.

Mom and I are still in mourning.
We were given a little foot-print plaque from Broward Avian to memorialize him.

I do not regret taking him in, knowing his life with the family was going to be shorter than with a younger bird. That's not what it's about. It's about giving them happy golden years before it's time for them to leave us. I love you so much, Ol' Man. Say hi to Louie too. Louie's probably a young thing now, like you soon will be. Please treat all birds with respect and love, no matter their condition.