I should have known better. I really, really should have. Wednesday night I went to bed and accidentally left Poco's cage door open. I've done it before (usually, I forget when I'm stressed) and she's been fine. Neither my cats nor dogs has ever shown an interest in her. In fact, the dogs are afraid of her, as were both cats (or so I thought).
I was running late for work yesterday morning, so it didn't occur to me that I didn't hear her chirp as I grabbed a lunch out of the freezer and ran out the door. I was maybe 10 minutes down the road when the SO called and said to turn around (he has the week off). He told me Poco had died. When I got home, he had her laying on a papertowel and said he found her laying in the downstairs bathroom. Our stupid cat Milo (he really is stupid) killed her and dragged her into the bathroom, near his litterbox. When the SO went to let the dogs out, he found Poco laying in a small pool of blood with her neck gashed and Milo a few feet away, licking his chops.
As much as I want to be mad at Milo (and I AM fuming....and hurt), I can't justify being mad at him. He's just a cat, and hunting is a natural thing for them (although Moo has never ever displayed any hunting instincts, not even for the mice we used to find in our basement....which Milo would kill). I don't even know what I want to do with him. I can't even look at him right now.

This is all my fault. I was careless and it cost my baby bird her life. I had her for 9 years...I even hand-fed her when she was a baby. She was too young for this

The SO felt so bad, he went out and brought home a baby blue Quaker to keep me from feeling lonely. It's a nice gesture, and certainly, the baby has the best personality, but nothing is ever going to replace Poco. I never expected to be without her this soon.

I am a careless, careless idiot.

oh hun dont blame yourself..anybody couold have done the same mistake..I was stupid a year ago in July..matter fact July 9.2007..I let Robbie out on his cage and he loved his mommy so much that every where I go he would try to find me...well that day I was gonna fry catfish....So Robbie on his cage just a laughin and squeaking having fun,,and mommy in the kitchen getting dinner ready...

Next thing I know Robbie flies to come find me...he hit the kitchen cupboard and I tried to catch him but he fell into the grease...

I cant finish this hun..you know what happen but dont blame yourself it could have happen to anybody

sorry but I have to end this now.....

I pray that you will find comfort in your new baby and that you dont let the cage dooor open anymore....I DONT COOK WHEN THE BIRDS ARE OUT ANYMORE!!!!



I loved him so much!!!!! And I am sure you loved your bird too..in time you will get over it but NO BIRD will replace the beloved oone you lost trust me I have tried....

I'm at a loss for words here. I'm just so sorry. Even the most carful of us make mistakes, even me, and I am the most paranoid case of caution you will ever see in your life.

I know you don't want to hear this at this time, but maybe this will help another person. People are always posting how cute it is that their bird nips their cat or dog on the nose or chases them. To me, that just sends chills down my spine. Maybe they will read this, feel the compassion for you and Poco, cry with you and then be more cautious.

PLEASE, whatever you do, don't beat yourself up over this. Enjoy your new baby and never expect it to be Poco over again. Just let it be a new light to shine in your heart. If it helps, tell the new baby that Poco left big footprints for it to fill and that as long as it does its best, that's good enough. It does not have to be a clone.

I know your pain will ease with a new baby in your heart, but it will probably never go away. Keep the memories close at hand and share them with your little one.

I cry with you!

I to am lost for words. I am so sorry for your loss! Ever one makes mistakes, just take it one day at a time for your pain to ease up. (((HUGS)))

I can speak from experience as well. Only my mistake is going to turn out ok, I think. Anyway so far so good. On July 7 {last month} I also made a mistake that could have been prevented. Anyway, My yorkie got ahold of my little green cheek Odie. He was hospitilized for nearly a week and the first 48 hours had been critical. They did surgery but really didnt expect him to make it. But through lots of prayers from everyone on this forum he is gonna make it. He is healing everyday. Surprising enough he is gonna have full use of all his limbs. He still has one of those collars on though til he heals more. God has been with him. I blamed myself also. But accidents happen. We can only learn from them and move on. So dont kick yourself around too much. We all make mistakes.

I am very sorry for your loss. I thank you for sharing your story (and every one else who has as well). While painful to speak about it, and even more difficult to admit you made a mistake, your post may very well save another bird's life.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through. R.I.P. little guy.

I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you.

I too have lost a couple birds from my dogs so I do know how you're feeling. Try not to beat yourself up too much, just learn from your mistake.

Your new bird can never replace Poco as he is a totally different bird personality wise and hopefully he will fill the hole that is left in your heart.

Sending you BIG hugs.

My heart aches for you. Im so sorry that you have to go through this. Hugs

How sad , I am sorry for your loss and the pain , heartache and guilt you are feeling , sending hugs from across the miles...((HUGS))

I am so sorry to hear about Poco. I know how you feel we lost our first QP because we made a mistake with our dogs being in the same room. It feels just terrible, time does help but I still think of that day and feel sad. Just know you are not alone as I am finding out that others have had the same bad experience. I thought I was the only one who would make such a costly mistake but as you see we are not alone. A lot of us have dogs and cats because we love animals so these things can happen. Now my dogs are never in the room if Mollie is out of her cage. Please do not be too hard on yourself. And what a nice thing for your SO to do. My husband and son drove 3 hours each way to get Mollie for me and it did help ease the pain. I will keep you in my prayers, Julie

I'm so sorry for your loss. Big hugs.

Oh my my---how awful and so so sad....I'm sorry for what has happen to your little baby and the hurt you are feeling now.....

Thank you so much for the kind words, everyone.

I am so sorry for your lose..If we didnt make mistakes then we wouldnt be human ..i hope to see pictures of your new baby : )

I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my quaker many years ago to an infection she just couldn't shake. For me it's taken many years to be ready to put my heart into another quaker. They just weren't my Sammie. We've had a few losses this summer. Our yellow keet Chikita died from a brain tumor, our teddybear hamster AC from just plain old age, and more recently are on watch for Chikita's cagemate Jack who spent almost a week at the vets, only to tell us they don't really know what's wrong. They think he has some kind of liver disease but after $400 and no answers I unfortunately had to draw a line. He's doing ok, less active, but still chirping and singing. So we're making him comfy and enjoying what time he has left. These keets were not new when I got them, I'm not certain how old they really were, but I've had them at least 5 years.
But when I went in the pet store, just to look mind you, that was it. I just fell in love with our Tobey! I had seen others and didn't have the reaction. I truly believe you don't choose the bird, it chooses you! I know your heart is hurting, but that little fuzzy bundle will do his or her best to fill you with love and joy all over again.

I too have accidently left Peanut Butters cage open and then gone off to school. Thank God none of my cats or dogs laid a claw or tooth on her, in fact one of the times she didn't even come out of her cage (I think)! But it made me nauseas to think about what if I had come home to find her murdered on the floor....as much as I trust my 4 leggers, I just always double check that cage door before I leave! I am so sorry for your loss, and I know just how you feel, I lost one of my cats last week I hope your new birdie can give you a little bit of joy in your time of sorrow.

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Try not to beat yourself up. I too lost my little Georgie to my miniature pinscher. I did get a new bird, Chili. He is actually sweeter than Georgie. Your new bird will not be the same, but you will love him/her just as much.
I just try to be soooooo careful now. The dogs have to be outside now when Chili comes out, or we are in my plant/computer room with the door shut. Good luck with your new QP.

I am so very sorry for your loss. Time does heal.......

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Everyone's human and makes mistakes.

I lost a budgie once to cats (I came home to find only a few feathers of him on the ground and little bit of blood) and a few years ago I lost my Quaker Parrot, he had a tiny piece of cloth that he somehow swallowed, where he breathes..and so died of asphixiation in my arms!

My condolences!

Carolyn

i READ YOUR POST AND AM CRYING HERE PLEASE DONT BEAT YOUR SELF UP ... ONE OF MY BIRDS THE GOLFIN TOO CHEWED THRU WIRES OF WHERE THE FOOD BOWL DISH WAS AND KILLED MY SUN CONURE RADAR AND MAMED MY QUAKER ... IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS I TOO AM A LOST FOR WORDS ..

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Just last week I rehomed my beautiful 1 year old Goffin's because I was afraid my yorkie would hurt her.It broke my heart to give her up but each time i read of an accident with a bird and a dog, I just felt sick. I was so afraid it would happen here. My QP could care less if he is "held" or not but the too craved attention . I knew all it would take was one moment of not being attentive enough and either the too or the yorkie was going to get hurt. I managed to find her a lovely new mommy and I am at peace with my decision. I do hope you will learn to forgive yourself very soon. And I hope your new QP will help to mend your heart soon. Take care.

I'm truly sorry to hear of your great loss. Hugs going your way. Don't blame yourself it was a mistake and I'm sure you won't ever do that again.

I'm so sorry for your loss. 9 years is a long time. 3 years ago we took a stray dog in and I watched him like a hawk for 3 months watching his reaction to my birds. I would have my nephew come over during the day to keep an eye on things while I was at work as I was fearful he would break into one of the birds cages. After 3 months I relaxed a bit and one morning I was rushing around getting ready for a bird fair. I was feeding my birds and had them out in the bird room when I heard my plumhead Zoey scream. It was not a scream from being teased by a bird but something scary. I ran in and couldn't find her and I looked in the hall and the stray dalmation was walking down the hall with her in his mouth. I pried her out and rushed her to the vet. There was blood on her nostril. It was a Sunday and they weren't quite open yet, but I knew they were in there so I started banging on the door and said Zoey needed emergency attention now. They openned the door and let us in. Thankfully she was fine, but I hospitalized her for the day just to be sure. I was terrified I'd lose her and I kept calling the vet. I drove them nuts.
I hope that sharing similar stories will help to keep you from beating yourself up like this. You've been through enough without doing that to yourself. Poco would not want that.
hugs
tikileahsmom

I just wanted to express my sympathy for your loss. Please don't consider yourself an idiot, you are human and we all make mistakes. I also want to thank you for taking the time to write this because as a first time quaker 'parront', I am reminded how important it is to take those extra precautions. Your SO was so thoughtful. I hope you will find that the hurt doesn't hurt so much as each day comes and goes and I hope your new 'baby' brings you much joy. Be blessed.

Thanks so much, everyone. I miss Poco so much.....but the baby is definitely keeping me busy...I think she's going to be a spoiled brat. She's not completely weaned yet, but I prefer it that way, as my hand-feeding her helps our bonding process.
I will never make the mistake of leaving the cage door open again like that. EVER. I really hope this experience helps others be more careful. It is heart-wrenching to know I'll never hear her talk again, save the recording I have of her.

I'm so sorry Hugs to you and the new baby.