Hello all, I'm KathyC and my bestest friend in the world is gone now.
In the middle of January Sidney (U2) was spinning on the top of his playstand, he falls forward really fast and comes up the other side of the perch. It was so cool to watch and I never expected that to hurt him. But it did he was spinning and got to close to one side and hit his head on the lower perch. I was terrified and got him to the vet. He was there for three days and came home. He wasn't himself but I was told by the vet the kind of trama he had was compared to a human having a stroke and he would have to relearn everything. He was learning again he started saying hi again. He even remembered his game of catch. I was so proud! I thought with a little more time he old Sidney would come back. Boy was I wrong! I came home one day last week and sidney was on the bottom of his cage. Just sitting in a corner did say anything he didn't even look like he knew me. So back to the vet (which is almost three hours away). We did get him there in time and they found a place in his brain that was bleeding. They relieved the pressure but it was just a start of many things that went wrong. His blood test came back with all kinds of problems. The vets came in and told me he may only have hours but if he made it through the night his chances improved. I had to leave and come home I had to get my kids and send them to school the next day. Well at 5 am I called and Sidney made it. But when I got there they told me his liver and kidneys were failing and he passed away yesterday afternoon. The vets are still puzzeled by the turn of events but they did find a clot in his heart. I guess all the years of abuse and neglect had just finally caught up to Sidney.
I adopted him from Andie here on this board two years ago. His age was estimated at about 18 then. He was my best friend he was always with me. He kept me company when my son started kindergarten last year. He would throw sipping cups in the dishwasher with me. He played under the sheets when I would make the beds. He would even scream bloody murder if someone walked on my wet floors. We spent all day everyday together. Now all I have are pictures and great memories of him. Well and a huge empty cage that I can't bear to look at. I can honestly say he was happy his last years with me and with Andie. This is worse than any pet that passed before but Sidney was more than just a pet. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, I am thankful for the times I had with him. It does help that he is finally at peace and out of pain. Its just hard for me to think about what I'm going to do with out him.
Heres a couple of my favorite pictures of THE SID MAN

Oh Kathy, I'm so so sorry. Big hugs to you and your family.

Kathy, my heart breaks for you. I am so very sorry for your loss.

My deepest sympathy. They're never "just" pets to the people who love them. They're our friends, our babies and our companions and you miss them just as much when they go as you do a human friend. You did the best you could for him, and I hope that knowing he was happy in his last years will help, a little.

Oh Kathy!! No!!! Please say it isn't so!! Not our Sid-man!!!

I am sooooo sorry!! I am sitting here at work with tears streaming down my face for the loss of a fid that isn't even mine!! I remember when you adopted him from Andie, how excited you ALL were about the new forever home Sidney was getting! He really came around for you! He was so happy in his new home. I LOVE those pics you have of him!

I am sooo soo sorry! My heart breaks for you! He had finally found a loving mom and to leave you so soon It just isn't fair! He loved you too! You could see it in the pictures you showed off.

I hope your grief eases soon, but this is such a terrible blow (((HUGZ)))

Kathy - I am so sorry for your loss and I understand how you are feeling - something about those darn toos gets under your skin - almost like a child.
If you need to talk I am just a PM away

Oh no .. I am so very sorry for your loss. My heart just breaks for you ....

Kathy I am so very very sorry, I am crying right along with you.

Kathy, I am so sorry you lost the Sid man. I know that your home was the best he ever had, and it was your love he needed and was given. I'm sorry that you didn't have more time with him, but it was your home that was meant to be his last, you fufilled your obligation to him by providing the best care he possibly could've ever wanted or needed on this earth. He will always be with us in our hearts and his memories will fuel the care for other fids.

I can honestly say, it is because of Sidney's adoption story that I still help re-homes and rescues. His story was a tough one really, it did have a happy ending, he found his best family ever after being neglected and abused for 16 1/2 of those 18 years. He had so many homes I couldn't track them all down. He was put on Thorezene (a drug they give patientS with schitzophrenia(SP). It took forever to get him off of it (while on it he was a lump of feathers), and it is amazing while with Kathy he learned to talk, play, and love. You did everything right Kathy. We do not know what "the plan" is, but I do know you were his happy ending...I wish it wasn't so soon.

You are in my thoughts and I am sending you the biggest warm fuzzies I can muster.

I am sitting here with tears running down my face. Just know that you will see him again and take comfort in knowing that you gave Sid a loving home. I am so sorry!

i'm so sorry, kathy... who would think that a happy, playing bird could get hurt? *sigh* i can only imagine the pain your heart must feel!! Sidney is probably chasing the rainbow....

I am terribly sorry for your loss.

Fly free Sid.

Oh Kathy! I'm so so sorry. Monet and I are sending you healing love and kisses.

Sid will still be with you, but it will take time to adjust the difference. *HUGS* Bless you for all the love you gave him. And Sid man, bless you too, for all the love you gave to Kathy and her family!

So sorry Kathy. I hate to hear that.

Oh Kathy, my eyes are leaking!!!! I just know that it was meant for him to make his way to Connie and then you so there would be some good in his life before time for him to go. His last years were happy and that truly means a lot.
My heart goes out to you because I know how hard it is and how badly it hurts. God bless you and ease your pain.
Hugs!

Kathy, my heart goes out to you...even though I knew that Sidney had passed, reading your post and knowing how much you loved him and he loved you just makes my heart ache and the tears flow... He could not have been in a better home as far as I'm concerned. You did amazing things with him and it was meant to be that his last years were spent with you.

Thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love and wonderful care you gave that amazing bird. As Andie said, we can only guess what kind of hell he went through the first 16 years of his life. But his last few were wonderful. And you Kathy. and your family were the biggest gift we could have given Sidney!

We love ya girl!

We're also sending the biggest warm fuzzy hugs we can muster as well....

Am very sorry for your loss..

I do understand completely how they are more than just pets!

Loved the photos, he looked so happy with you there.

Oh Kathy, I am so so sorry for your loss of Sidney. My eyes are weeping for you. I have watched so many videos of him, it is like I knew him. I cannot imagine your pain. Just know that you gave him a great last few years of life. Again I am so so sorry. When first reading the caption I thought Oh No Not Sidney....hoping it wasn't but it was. My prayers are with you!

I am also feeling very upset at Sidneys passing and your loss must be very hard ..sending hugs from across the miles...

So sorry for your loss. Fids are truley family members and it is horrible loss when one of them pass.

I really have no words, I am so very sorry Kathy.

I am so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs to ya.

Oh Kathy I am so sorry to hear about Sidney. I loved hearing stories about the Sid Man and he will always be our SID MAN here on the forum.

We are all around if you need to talk... such a sad turn of events. Sadly another person I know lost their 'too who also did the perch flip around when his perch broke. Those wonderful games that 'toos play to worm their way into our hearts unfortunately also get them in a lot of trouble sometimes.

You were a GREAT home to Sidney... I am sad for you that your time was short but I am glad for Sidney that his last years were spent in a home that appreciated his cockatoo-ness. If he had to pass at least he passed PLAYING and BEING A 'TOO instead of medicated and forgotten in a corner.

Many hugs to you Kathy...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about Sidney. He was so beautiful and I'm sure he knew he was well loved for the last years of his life. ((((HUGS))))

So very sorry for your loss. My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

Oh Kathy, I am so sorry to read this I too remember when you adopted him, you really did give him the love and care he so needed and deserved. My heart aches for you with the loss of Sid Man.We all loved hearing your stories and seeing the beautiful pictures you posted.
I think you adopted Sid close to the same time I did my Shelby and Sebastion, it was so easy to relate to your experiences in the beginning.You were the best thing that happened to sweet Sid (aside from Andie rescueing him) and at least he was able to experience the love that he was so in need of

***Hugs to you and your family***

So sorry to hear! My condolences..

I am so sorry to hear of your news. I know the heart break you are feeling all too well, as I lost my beloved baby just over three weeks ago...I really do not even see how life can go on, without him. If you would like to talk, please message me...I know, this is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life...

I am sure he knew how much you love him.

*Sending hugs and wishes that you somehow find a small bit of comfort, in the midst of the deep pain*

~angela

im in tears as i read this post. so sorry to. sending you hugs and prayers.

Gosh yall! I'm crying all over again reading your replies. Thank you all for the nice comments. I know how attached we all get to each others fids. I know you are all grieving with us. My children are better, I swear it was like they lost a brother.
Things are moving right along here. I've decided to wait for awhile before I think about adopting another birdie. When the time does come it will be an adoption. I think there are so many animals in rescues that I will be able to the find the perfect friend.

We are doing ok and finding our way day by day. I'm not going to be on the board as much as I once was, but I'll still be lurking. I've decided that times go by to fast and I need to spend as much time with my children and family as I can. So I've cut down my computer time. I do still love you all and will be here checking on you all during the day just not when the kids are home. Again thanks for helping me through the terrible time. It means alot.

Oh Kathy!!! So very sorry to hear about Sidney!!! So many memories of you and him together. Please know you are in our thoughts.

I did not know your bird or even you, but I am crying as I read this. Just wanted to say that you have my deepest condolences on the loss of your bird. I know how much it can hurt especially when it is so sudden and it doesn't seem to make any sense the way they are taken from us. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Beth