Aly,

I know how it feels to part with someone special to you. I had a goffins cockatoo, I had her for 4 years. I got her as a handfed baby, it was truly love at first sight with her. Even though she was $900 I had to have her, it was an instant bond for the both of us (and she was from a pet store that I worked at and trusted that only sold tropical fish and handfed, captive born birds, no puppies or kittens). I named her Pica because her and I would play Peek-a-boo at the store while I worked on raising $900 to buy that beautiful white angel baby. When I finally took her home, she fit into my house like she was truly at home. She was my baby, she was my infant, she was my precious angel, she was the most important thing in my life...even more important then my dogs if you can believe that. I noticed that about a month after I got that precious creature that my asthma got a bit worse....then a bit more worse...then I went to different doctors and allergists, after about 3 1/2 years I had to decide....health or Pica...health or Pica....health or Pica. I actually decided I would rather have Pica...until my asthma got so bad that I would take 2 puffs of my inhaler, then 10 minutes later need more puffs. It became a different choice...life or Pica...life or Pica...life or Pica. On my final night with Pica she actually slept with me on my bed all night. We had taken naps together often and she'd preen my face and hair until I fell asleep but on our last night together I let her spend the whole night snuggeling and dreaming with me. It will be those special memories that I will hold in my heart forever.

I ended up making that most painful, dreadful decesion I have ever done. It was harder then putting my beautiful lab to sleep. It was harder then seeing the first stray cat that I saved dart outside and get struck and killed by a car...it was harder then anything I have ever done, and hopefully I will never have to go through that much grief again. I ended up giving Pica to a wonderful stay-home mother who had other birds for Pica to play with. It was the best thing for everyone. Pica got to be with other featherheads, and I got to breath easily.

To rehome a beloved animal may very well be the most dreadful thing and it takes alot of strength and bravery. It took tremendous strength and bravery from me, and it did for you as well. You did it. This was the hardest part, it all gets easier from this point on....and if you can keep in contact with his new owners that's perfect.

I am so sorry you feel so much pain, it's such a crummy feeling...and I so much remember packing up toys and bowls and typing up a decription of the pet and that long drive....I am balling now. Reading your description of the final moments tugs at my heartstrings tremendously.

Aly, my heart sincerely goes out to you in this sad time. I know that it's not sad for the animals, Harley's going to have a blast, and my Pica has a wonderful life now, but it's sure sad you had to make such a painful decesion.

Love,

Leslie