Last night about 6:30 in the evening Pooder startled off of his cage just as a stray cat ran into the house. Pooder flew back to the girls' bedroom and the stray cat caught Pooder in his mouth. The girls grabbed the cat and got him back outside, but not before Pooder hurt himself flying back to me.

At first I thought his neck and his leg was broken as he could not turn his neck or bear weight on his leg. However, as he quieted down he started bearing weight on his leg and started turning his neck.

He made it through the night and I got him to the vet this morning. The vet was afraid to do x-rays for stressing him more, but the palpations did not reveal any broken bones. We could not find any bite marks, but the vet has him on Baytril twice a day as a precaution. It has now been 24 hours since the attack and Pooder is eating a spagetti noodle and has been drinking water (not as much as I would like, but it's better than it could be).

The vet said that since Pooder made it through the night, it was obvious that he has a strong will to live. He's not going to consider Pooder "out of the woods" until after this weekend, though. Pooder is still holding his head to the left, but he can rotate his neck, so it could very well be sore muscles from the panic flight back to me.

Pooder has become a "mascot" for the kids in the neighborhood. When word got around the neighborhood that Pooder had been attacked by a stray cat, the kids all came over to see him. They were very quiet and respectful, all afraid of the worst. Then Jayden, a quiet and kind little boy that has become friends with my son, asked what they could do for Pooder. Another little boy said, "We could pray." All 8 kids immediately bowed their heads and said a silent prayer for Pooder and then left quietly. It was wonderful and I truly believe that the single-minded purpose of their intentions have helped Pooder make it to this point.

Pooder made it 18 hours in a van loaded down with kids and what we could fit in it to here. He started talking again and making our life happier just by being him. He is as much a part of this family as any of the humans. Please send healing thoughts and strength his way as he really needs them.

Thank you,
Tari

Sending very special prayers for Pooder.....

Lots of Prayers headed Pooder's way!

well you definitely have good thought coming from my neck of the woods. i'm looking forward to hearing about how pooder's getting better with each passing day. just remember odie's story - the will to live and the power of healing thoughts are miraculous.

kris

After reading through some posts here, I think I might know part of what is causing Pooder's behavior. He may very well have a concussion. This would go along with what the vet said and explains his behavior. This doesn't make his situation any less serious, but it does give me something to watch for. I'm going to keep a close eye on him tonight.

Tari

that is so sweet of the kids to pray and I am to sending special prayers for Pooder. Come on you can pull through.

He's in my thoughts!!

Sending them now to Pooder.
Share them with yourself & the kids too !!!!

Tricia.

Awww well Ive just prayed for your little fella!
Janet x

That is really sad...I am glad he is starting to feel better. I will pray for Pooder...

Justin

Awww, poor Pooder! I'll keep him in my thoughts and hope for a speedy recovery! *Hugs*

Saying a prayer for a speedy recovery

Pooder didn't make it. My house is quiet and my little guy isn't here. He's flying free now with no worries of stray cats.

Tari

Oh im truly sorry to read tha tPooder didnt make it. God bless him and he is now in safe place. Hugs to you and th ekids.

Sending healing thoughts to Pooder! You may want to set up a warming lamp so he can stay toasty and comfy. This will also help to ail any achy muscles, etc.

I would keep using the Baytril as the vet recommended, and just make him as comfy as possible. Keep the fave foods coming! Since he made it through the night and the vet didn't keep him for observation, it sounds like the vet feels fairly confident that Pooder will be making a strong recovery!

tari i'm so sorry.

fly free pooder.

kris

Oh Tari, I am sooo very sorry! (((((HUGS)))))

Tari my darling. This is the most tragic news. There is nothing more heartbreaking then seeing a family pet leave your life, but always know pooder will always be in your heart, and so near to your children.

I know you have made up your mind that you do not want another bird, because it isn't your precious little pooder. Just as the sun isn't the moon, another bird wouldn't be pooder, but no one is asking it to be. There is still many years of happiness left in your life, and having another winged angel around the house might be a good thing. Especially for the kids. If you truly feel that no other quaker will compare, then how about a cockatiel or a parrotlet.

Your courage and perseverance in amazing. You're truly a courageous person. I know this is a hard time, and I'm here for you in anyway I can be. If you want to get on the live chat and tell some stories, I'll happily listen. Or if you just want someone to scream at I'm here. This is a hard time for you, and typing may be a nice medium for you to let out your emotions. Please blog, post email or whatever it takes to help keep you sane, and God willing bring a smile to your face. Don't hold in your feelings to keep up appearances in front of the kids. If you need to cry or vent, then please do. I as well as many many more on this forum are here to make sure that you are healthy and happy right now.

I've been through a lot of bad things in the last 2 years, and the only thing I could do to make it from one day to the next was to vent daily. I was such an emotional wreck that I needed so much support from my closest friends just to go about my daily life. Everyday the pain gets smaller and some days it seems worse, but with time all things are better. Just don't sit on your emotions thinking you're doing anyone a favor. Let out the pain and the heartache, and take comfort in your loving and caring friends.

With love,
Chris

Awww gees Im so sorry Tari...what mourning you must be feeling.
My hearts heavy for you! x

I'm so sorry Tari. *Hugs*

Tari, so sorry about Pooder.......fly free baby.......

My very first bird, a lovebird, flew down off his cage and one of my dogs got him in his mouth. He seemed fine and we couldn't find any bite marks just like you. He seemed fine........The very next day, he died. I had only had him a week, but it is amazing how much you can love something in a very small amount of time. I think it was probably bacteria from the dogs mouth?

Thinking of you......

Jill

Tari,
My heart goes out to you and your family. I am so sorry you lost Pooder. Hugs and Prayers being sent your way.

Oh gosh me----Tari, I'm so so sorry to hear this about Pooder....My heart is heavy for you and my thoughts go with you.

Teri,
So sori to hear about Pooder.
Our thoughts and hugs are with you.

Tricia.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, energy, prayers, and condolences. Pooder was just like one of my children and I'm grieving as if I carried him and gave birth to him.

Pooder was very well-loved (who could help but NOT love one of these little guys?) by his family as well as the neighborhood. He always greeted us when we came in the room and house. He would literally argue with me if I told him he could not have something we were eating by nodding his head up and down really fast. He would whistle for the dog or even the kids if I were calling them. He filled this house with love just by being him. He is dearly missed and always will be.

I know I haven't been active lately. That is part of Pooder's legacy. He made an 18 hour trip across the country to relocate to a completely different home with different people around. He did so good! He wasn't stressed beyond a couple of days of not talking, but after he realized this was his new home, he filled this one with his personality just like the one we left. He even started talking again! He would always greet people as they came in the house and would insist on giving everyone Pooder kisses at night.

I will always believe that he waited until after the kids went to school (and all 4 of them stopped by his cage this morning to tell him they loved him) and me to be occupied in another room before he passed. I hope he knows I didn't want him to be alone...I wanted to be there with him to let him know he was loved. But, in the Pooder-style he had, he had to do things HIS way (Stubborn little chit!).

Pooder...You are missed greatly and there is a hole in my heart tonight that will never heal.

Momma (Tari)

My deepest condolences Tari.

I'll miss the stories about the bird with the coolest name on the forum.

Peace to you and Pooder.

My heart is breaking for you and tears are streaming down my face as I read this. I feel for you and the loss you are experiencing. Hugs and prayers

Dana

I'm Still Here

I was near you, by your bed last night; I came to have a peek.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I chattered to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you. I'm well. I'm fine. I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast. I watched you pour the tea.
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached out to me.

I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I am not lying there.

I flew with you back towards the house. As you fumbled for your key,
I gently touched you with a feather, I smiled and said, "It's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was perching there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, and then smiled. I think you knew
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over - I smile and watch you yawning
And say, "Good night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll fly across to greet you and we'll enter side by side.

I have many things to show you. There is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

Author Unknown!

Tari, I am so sorry to hear about little Pooder, my thoughts are with you. Big HUGGSS

My deepest condolences Tari Im so sorry for your loss

Oh Tari, I am so sorry to hear this. I know you feel terrible. I lost my birds in a house fire years ago and I didn't even start to heal until I had another bird to love. Maybe someday that would help fill that hole you now have in your heart for Pooder.

Tari, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Pooder will be dearly missed.

Oh Tari .... I've been offline a couple weeks (no $$ for internet ) but catch the forum whenever I can. I am soooo sorry about Pooder. On top of everything else lost lately, to lose him is a HUGE blow. I am sorry.

Losing Mango and then Pooder leaves such a hole in your heart. I hope your heart heals soon and you can consider another feathered friend one day.

((((HUGZ)))

Tari, I am so sorry to hear of loosing Pooder. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Jeff