This past Tuesday, the 16th of April, turned out to be quite a sad day at our home. I came home from work around 5:30 in the afternoon and found our little green feathered friend, who lost her life in quite a tragic way.

As far as we know, this is what happened: We have a lady who cleans for us once a week, Janet, and she cleaned for us on Tuesday. I phoned Janet on the evening of the incident to get a timeline of when she was at the house, as Janet would have been the last person to see Rio. Janet said that Rio was not in her cage when she left for the day, which was just after 2:00 PM. I don’t know why Janet didn’t place Rio back in her cage, as Rio’s mommy and daddy would have, but she thought Rio was fine to be out wandering around on her own. As Janet walked out the door she called for Rio and said “goodbye-pretty”; Rio squawked back so Janet thought Rio was fine and left. As adventurous as Rio was, she must have waddled over to the front door where she last heard Janet, which is right by the bathroom. Rio ventured into the bathroom where she seemed to have climbed up the shelf under the sink and hung out for a while, judging by the amount of poo. After a while longer Rio must have got tired of waiting for us and crawled over to the toilet where she slipped and fell in and that’s where I found her lifeless little body floating peacefully when I came home from work. What horrible site to come home and see.

For me to find Rio this way was absolutely shocking and seemed like such an unfair way for her to go. Rio was our little buddy, our little baby bird. She was definitely Mommy’s bird. My husband gave her to me three years ago on my birthday, when she was only 4-months old. We gave her the name Rio because we weren’t sure if she was a boy or a girl and Rio seemed pretty neutral and also suited her bright green feathers. We later had her DNA tested and found out we had a girl! Rio was such a little trooper and had been through so much with us, including losing our home to hurricane Ivan which resulted in us moving homes countless times over the last 2-years. Rio was just such a happy bird and so adaptable through it all she suited our lifestyle perfectly. Watching Rio learn and grow was such a joy and we felt so lucky that she seemed to trust us and love us without conditions. Rio was so full of love and all she ever needed was for us to take care of her and we both feel like we let her down in the biggest way possible. I know these things happen, freak accidents, etc., but we both feel so guilty and agonize over the ways her fate could have been prevented. We know nothing can change what happened or bring our loving little friend back.

Life isn’t the same without her – we miss her so much. The house feels empty and quiet and the mornings are especially difficult. Rio would start making noise around 7:00 AM and she would always share my breakfast with me, she loved oatmeal and grapes. Rio was getting quite good at talking and we so miss hearing her garbled little words. She could say her name and “good-girl” “pretty-bird” and “go poop”; she was always most chatty after she ate breakfast or cuddling with mommy.

Anyway, I’m sharing this with the world because Rio was a special part of our family and I wish for her to live on somehow. She was much too young to leave us, especially in the way that she did. I shall post a few pictures of the happy, fun and exciting times that we shared together over the last 3-years. We will never forget little Rio.

With love,

April and Steve

I am so sorry about Rio. I really wish I could bring her back for you or at the very least turn back time. I can only hope that in time....happier memories of Rio will increase and help ease your pain.

Anna

April, I know this hurts so much because I cried reading this...Please accept my condolences in the loss of your beloved Rio.



I can't say anymore...God bless you and hope your heart will heal soon....

I am so sorry to hear this. I can only imagine the pain that you must be feeling right now. Many thoughts heading your way.

April and Steve,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your Rio. My heart goes out to you. I, too have lost a Quaker and know the heartbreak and loss that you must be feeling. Hope you do not mind but I am praying for you and for your pain to ease.

Hugs,
Jan, Taavi (QP), Tory (M2) & Jesse (LSC2)

My heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry. There are not any words that I can say at this time that will make you feel better.



Hugs.....................

Sandi

So very, very sorry.

Jennifer

I am just so sorry to hear this. I lost my quaker Beaker recently and I know the heartache you are feeling. Just remember all the good times that you had together and the love you had for each other. My heart goes out to you.

What can I say other than I am so very sorry for your loss time is the only thing that will help. Sharon

I'm so sorry for your loss...

I am so sorry for your loss (((HUGS)))

Oh How terrible ..You must be hurting so much , I am so sorry for your loss and the pain that you are feeling , I hate coming here to read the sad posts but always know I need to express my feelings as I too know the pain of loss , nothing anyone can say will take that pain away keep your little one close to your heart in your memories..
Sending Hugs and love across the miles to you both..

So sorry to here about Rio. Take care.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss!

Thankyou for sharing Rio with us!
Angie

What a tragic and sad story
I cleaned houses for people for close to 4 years..had many clients who became friends.I would have never thought about leaving the bird out..
Once while entering the home of one of my regular clients, i discovered that their sun conure and african gray were out of their cages.After i was finished cleaning their home..I called my client at work to ask about this..since they had never been out anyother time i was there.She was shocked to find out that they were out..mad at her hubby, she thought he had left them out.
Later she discovered that the little smarties had let THEMSELVES out by learning how to work the cage door.I captuered the little rascals..which was a bit difficult because both had their flight feathers still and decided that we were playing a new fun game!When she came home they were out again!

I know my rambling on is not helping with your sorrow but my thoughts are with you in your time of grief
I created a scrapbook of my lovebirds and seeing all the great pictures and writing all the fun moments down helped me out a great deal.And now I love to take it out a remember them..sometimes the tears still fall..but many of them fall with a smile on my lips....

I am so sorry for your untimely loss. I am a new Qp mommy, and I already can not imagine life without Buzz. I know your heart must ache for your little baby...I am sure no words can assist in this healing process ~ try to be strong.

I am soo sorry...

i can only imagine how much your heart aches now. i am so sorry. i hope some day you will have another feathered friend to help ease the emptiness...

Sitting here reading this just tears me up......I can't imagine how you feel b/c I sit here bawling while reading.....I'm so very sorry for your loss and know that words I say will not really help so I'll stop now......Prayers coming your way

Oh my gosh, I am SO sorry.

How awful. I am sending my good thoughts your way.

Summer

So sorry to hear of Rio's demise. What a horrible shocking way to find your little lover. It is so hard to say goodbye. Just remember how you loved her, and how she loved you. Someday you may consider opening your heart to another little fid. Condolences.

I'm so sorry for you loss, what a tragedy

What a sad story, my heart just broke reading that. I hope your pain will lessen with time, and just know that we're all here for you. So very sorry

So sorry Rio got called home before you were ready to say goodbye. I'm sure he left you with some indelible memories.

Not sure how I missed this post but I am so so sorry for your loss

I am truly sorry for your loss. I can imagine the pain. I cried for hours and hour as he flew away from my shoulder when I went outside. It just my stupidity, and I may never see him again. I pray for your courage to go thru and knowing Rio will always above you.

Mitchell

OMG this is just so sad, This is why I insist everyone who uses my toilet puts the lid down when they are finished. So sorry for your loss.