topic Re: Duncan the parrot in Community Chat

Duncan the parrot

silver Goldie — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 19:30:51 GMT

My son's MIL lost her parrot yesterday whom she says was her soul mate. She is devastated. The parrot was supposed to live 80 years but I think it was only 12 years. She has posted on Facebook and I want to say something but don't know what to say. I have met Duncan and if it wasn't for an unmended broken wing I'm sure he would have flown away years ago. Am I callous?

Re: Duncan the parrot

Puzzle Piece — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 21:35:14 GMT

It's never easy to comfort anyone's loss. But a sincere and kind sharing of words would be nice on your part.

Re: Duncan the parrot

silver Goldie — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:24:07 GMT

I have a picture of Duncan to share. I will try to say something comforting to her. Thank you.

Re: Duncan the parrot

DeLaney — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:39:57 GMT

Awww, what a beautiful boy. My condolences on her loss.

You will find the words, newlook. . . Though there are really no "right" ones at such times. At least she will know you are thinking of her.

Re: Duncan the parrot

Kachina624 — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 03:52:51 GMT

Parrots have a lot of personality and are intelligent, making them great companions. I can understand why someone would take the loss of one very hard. What would you say and do if she lost a beloved dog or cat? Maybe a "thinking of you" card?

Re: Duncan the parrot

mousiegirl — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 04:40:18 GMT

I at first thought you meant that Duncan had flown away. Do you know what his cause of demise was, as he was so young. Maybe there was an infection due to the injured wing.

Re: Duncan the parrot

violann — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 15:40:15 GMT

A very beautiful parrot.

Re: Duncan the parrot

silver Goldie — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:40:07 GMT

On 1/21/2015 mousiegirl said:
I at first thought you meant that Duncan had flown away. Do you know what his cause of demise was, as he was so young. Maybe there was an infection due to the injured wing.

I never heard what the bird died of. They buried it already but there was a lot of upheaval in the family. They got foreclosed on and his owner had to move in with my son and daughter in law so that the parrot lived in the basement for awhile. Then they got a new home and they moved there so it was another environment to get used to. The last time I saw Duncan was at Thanksgiving where one of the daughters brought him a plate of food that had mashed potatoes, veggies, turkey and greens on it and I was surprised because I thought parrots only ate seeds so that was my thought that it possibly shouldn't have been fed that.

Re: Duncan the parrot

Bird mama — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:46:12 GMT

I live with 3 birds, none of them are a parrot. In my limited bird experience (sparrows and pigeon), stress isn't good for birds. I'm pretty sure some of that food on the Thanksgiving dinner plate was not suitable for little Duncan.

Re: Duncan the parrot

issiestorm — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 05:16:02 GMT

Especially not the turkey. RIP little Duncan.

Re: Duncan the parrot

mousiegirl — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 09:04:27 GMT

On 1/22/2015 newlook said:
On 1/21/2015 mousiegirl said:
I at first thought you meant that Duncan had flown away. Do you know what his cause of demise was, as he was so young. Maybe there was an infection due to the injured wing.

I never heard what the bird died of. They buried it already but there was a lot of upheaval in the family. They got foreclosed on and his owner had to move in with my son and daughter in law so that the parrot lived in the basement for awhile. Then they got a new home and they moved there so it was another environment to get used to. The last time I saw Duncan was at Thanksgiving where one of the daughters brought him a plate of food that had mashed potatoes, veggies, turkey and greens on it and I was surprised because I thought parrots only ate seeds so that was my thought that it possibly shouldn't have been fed that.

Thank you for answering. Poor Duncan. Parrots eat more than seeds, fruit, I know, and probably some vegetables, but turkey and mashed potatoes, I don't think so. Maybe the basement was damp, not to mention the stressful situation.

Re: Duncan the parrot

silver Goldie — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 21:38:47 GMT

I was able to talk to the owner this weekend and she said with tears in her eyes that Duncan died of pneumonia.

Re: Duncan the parrot

shoekitty — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:30:49 GMT

No matter what the pet is, or how one thinks about pets, people get attached. I do!! I have known a person who grieved for weeks at the loss of their little mouse. Another had a boa constrictor for years, and when it died she was upset for months. She had the boa's picture on her phone wallpaper..

I think just say, you are so sorry for her loss. Duncan was a beautiful parrot, and you know how much she cared for him. Then repeat how sorry you are at her loss. Simple, but she will appreciate the thought.

You will know what to say when you have to say it.

I am sorry for her loss! That bird is gorgeous, and I bet he was great company. I have a friend who has a parrot, she cares for every detail of that birds' life, and loves him. She would be devastated to loose him. I think she has him in her will, so he will be cared for.

Re: Duncan the parrot

ROMARY — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 05:34:43 GMT

So very sorry. If and when our pets don't look or feel right, please take them to a veterinarian. My heart is heavy right now. RIP, Duncan.

Re: Duncan the parrot

apple1964 — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 17:14:59 GMT

Duncan is a beautiful parrot. Any animal loss is hard. I would call and see how she is doing.

Re: Duncan the parrot

silver Goldie — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 15:12:37 GMT

First of all I got the parrot's name spelled wrong. It is Dunkin. I am enclosing the owner's Facebook remarks to share with you. Thanks for all your replies.

the relationship is so different from the ones you have with other animals. I have had many different types of animals, and I have lost them.....the feeling of loss being extreme, of course. Nothing compares to losing Dunkin. They are your friends, they respond and talk back to you .. they think on a different level, and can even be sarcastic at times....I am still grieving his loss....and it's bee almost 2 months. I lost a friend, a soul mate, my baby.....I think I will be grieving for a very long time. I do good, Until someone comes up and says, ", so sorry, I heard about Dunkin" .. or " I was so shocked, what happened?" then I am reduced to tears, a blubbering child. Please, hug your kids/animals today....life is so short, and tomorrow is never guaranteed.