Have no one else to share this with, but a very dearly loved friend and companion passed yesterday. So this is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes for both Skipper and my son.
Skipper was born in early December 1985, joined our family on January 18th, 1986 as a just weaned baby White Eyed Conure that immediately touched our hearts as a family, has continued to touch them ever since, even all the years since we have no longer been a family together. He would have been 30 years old this December.
My son was 8 years old when he came to live with us, and he chose the name Skipper. When we moved to the desert 6 years later Skip moved into his room with him, and has been with him ever since. They grew up together, were very loyal and dedicated to each other, were literally inseparable. He was always a center of attention, including anytime we got together after we all had our separate lives. Skip never forgot my ex or I, was always excited to see either of us again.
Two days prior the bird vet said nothing could be done for Skipper, he would soon die from old age. My son spent all of his last hours together with him, I’d bet with both of them focused on each other. He passed peacefully while sitting on my sons chest. He now rests in a hard side padded case with his name on it, inside a message about his life as a member of our family, all his favorite toys and there is a picture of my son as well so they will always be together. He picked a site under a Joshua tree next to a rock ledge on the side of a mountain so Skipper has a wonderful view of the valley below, and will get the last rays of the setting sun. It’s unmarked so won't be disturbed, close enough to my son’s house to be easily visited.
Skipper was truly loved, and he will be missed by all
three of us.
These top two pictures are a couple of years old. I’m guessing the bottom one the last one taken of him. That would be exactly like Skip… sitting on his lap focused on him to the end.
