Our big boy Merlyn

I know I haven't been on the boards at all for a couple of months. Life and work got really crazy and I just had too much going on, but I wanted to stop and share with you all. Bryan's Catalina, Merlyn, had to be put down on May 5th....my birthday of all days. He was showing signs of being ill for a couple of days so we took him to the vet. His liver was swollen and he wasn't eating. Turns out he had liver cancer and wouldn't have lived much longer.

We only had Merlyn in our lives for a couple of years, we had adopted him shortly after we began volunteering at Helping Wing...or rather, he adopted Bryan. Bryan is devastated by the loss, of course. Merlyn used to go everywhere with him and was a key member of our demo team since he was so friendly and would go to anyone.

He will be forever missed...



This picture was taken at the vet on his last day. He immediately went to Bryan's shoulder and hugged his face. It was a truly touching moment for me.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to both you and Bryan. Have to go hug on my baby now.

Yeah, I cried a lot, even though Merlyn didn't like me when Bryan was around. He was still one of our babies and I spent a lot of days cuddling with Sebastian and Arthur.

We're due to get his ashes back this week. Bryan had the vet pull all his tail feathers and the unique tie-dyed ones on his forehead. He also got a vial of blood and is having a DNA strand made to wear on a necklace. He wanted a life gem, but they are a lot more expensive.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

This still makes me really sad. Hope you and Bryan are okay.

I'm so sorry

so sorry vikki it's a great loss, we are all sad


dusty

Oh Vikki, my heart goes out to you... I was looking at pictures of JJ earlier today (well before I saw this post) and "petting" her head with my mouse cursor... I feel your pain so acutely. Your picture and story brought tears to my eyes. Allie has no idea why I'm not letting her go right now.

Y'all are in my thoughts and prayers and yet I know it's not enough...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Its so odd not having him around. Our front room is open and bare without his huge cage there and its a constant reminder of our loss. I often find myself repeating things he used to say, in his voice. Kind of makes me feel better and Bryan and I both chuckle. I actually have a permanent reminder of him with me. When we first got him, he bit me bad on my hand and I have a permanent scar in the shape of his beak there.

But we are both ok. We both have had pets most of our lives and know the joy and heartache that entails. Merlyn is a great loss but he brought joy to our lives while he was here, just as much as we did for him I am sure. He was a rescued bird and beyond spoiled, so we know he was well loved before he left us.

So sorry for your loss Vikki. The loss of a family member always leaves a big hole. Thoughts and prayers are with you both.

I'm so sorry

awww honey...so sad for you