Last night, at about 3 am, an alarm went off in the house. My boyfriend and I jumped out of bed, not knowing exactly what the noise was. It took us a minute or two to figure out it was one of the gas/carbon monoxide alarms, we first thought it was one of the smoke alarms, but couldn't see any smoke anywhere.

Once we realized is was it was gas .. he started flinging open windows as I ran to the garage to get the travel crates. He's yelling to get out of the house, but I wanted to get the dog and birds out too.

We were too late. I lost 3 of my 5 FIDS last night. My 2 Quakers (Lily and Saphie) and my Hahn's (Squirt). I'm sick to my stomach that we didn't move faster. I'd never heard the gas alarm go off before, and everything seemed so crazy. It felt like it only took a minute to get the crates and get to the birds, but it still wasn't fast enough.

The gas was coming from a connection behind the stove that had gone bad, that's what the fire department said. I didn't understand why the gas alarm didn't go off sooner. They tested it, and said it was working fine. I guess that the alarms aren't sensitive enough to pick up the small amounts of gas that are just enough to kills small animals, but not enough to hurt humans. I know that with birds, it doesn't take much.

We're expecting a huge amount of company this coming weekend for a family event, and had decided that a few of the bird cages needed to be moved so we could reclaim the dining room. We moved the two cages that were in the way of the dining table downstairs into the family room, and left the other two cages in the dining/living area, since they weren't in the way. The 2 that got moved downstairs were the only 2 that made it, probably because they were furthest from the source of the leak. Now I wish I had moved everyone downstairs. They're are at the vet at the moment, under observation and for boarding until repairs are made. The main gas line to the house had to be shut off until the connection can be repaired. I don't want to take any chances. I've lost too much already. Thank God my vet has an emergency number. They had someone meet us there at 5:30 this morning to take my two remaining babies.

I don't know what else to say. I'm stunned, devastated and feeling so guilty. I thought I was doing everything right to protect my FIDS. No teflon, no air fresheners, had smoke and gas alarms .. and it still wasn't enough.

There are just no words right now, just typing this is killing me. Fly free babies, I'm so, so sorry I didn't do better to protect you.


In Loving Memory ...

Squirt, LIly and Saphie

OMG how terrible for you ...I am so sorry for your loss and I know this must be haunting you but it was a accident , no ones fault....Sending hugs from across the miles....(((HUGS))

Ohhh I'm so sorry. Don't feel guilty. You did everything you could. I'm sure your babies know how much you loved them. Big Hugs. There are no words for such a loss. Just know I'll be praying for you.

OMG! I am so sorry to hear of your losses. Our fids are so sensitive to smells etc. Thank goodness your other 2 are ok. Not to mention the humans in your house.
Fly high little guys!

Please don't blame yourselves; you couldn't have predicted this. My thoughts are with you and yours...

My heart goes out to you. Losing one fid is horrible. I can't imagine how awful it must be to lose three at once so suddenly. Please don't blame yourself. They had a great life thanks to you.

I am so sorry!! Please do not blame yourself. Maybe put the detectors low and some high that way if there is a next time maybe one of them will go off before the other.

I am so sorry for your loss. Plese don't blame yourself. You controlled what you could (no teflon/air fresheners), but some things just cannot be controlled. This is one of them. Just be happy that you had working alarms and that everyone else made it out safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sending lots of hugs!

I'm so sorry you lost 3 of your fids

However you did everything you could do and unfortunately nobody can predict or prevent gas leaks sometimes. Thankfully you did have the detectors so you could get everyone else out of the house. Unfortunately our bird's lungs just use air so efficiently that the smallest gas leak is dangerous to them. They don't make monoxide detectors sensitive enough to save our fids yet.

I am very sorry to hear your sad news. You're in my thoughts.

Jen

OMG xcali....I don't know what to say. I feel so badly for you, and I don't even have the words to say how sorry I am. You will be in my thoughts. Fly free beautiful Squirt, Lily, and Saphie.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your 3 fids. Sending you some hugs during this difficult time. *Hugs*

im so very sorry to hear this! i know its hard but pleae dont blame yourself , you could not have stopped this you did all you could! ((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))

I am so sorry for your lost. It was NOT your fault. My thoughts are with you

i'm sitting here at work with tears in my eyes... even though i can only imagine what you're going thru right now. you did absolutely everything and anything you could have done. you're going to go thru all the phases of death from guilt to anger to horrible sadness. i'm so sorry. there are no words that can really be said to comfort you but just know you have the support of everyone here and you were able to save 2 of your babies that still need you!

I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts.

Oh that is so sad

I am so very, very sorry for your loss......

It is not your fault at all, please dont think that. I am sure they knew just how much you loved them. You did everything you could. Sending prayers your way. Hugs to you and your family.

What awful news. I'm so sorry. Love the two you have left extra hard and let them comfort you. You'll be in my prayers.

Oh how sad. I am sitting here with my eyes raining and my heart hurting for you. It brings back sad memories for me too as I lost a blue fronted amazon and a tiel when my house burned years ago. It's such a sinking feeling and one we can't get over for many years to come. Mine was 1987 and I'm not over it yet. I pray God will ease your pain and give you peace in knowing you did all you could do.
Be blessed.

OMG this is so terrible, there is no way on earth you could have prevented this from happening. I am crying after reading this , oh just so sad, I can only imagine your pain you are in. (((HUGS))) my heart bleeds for you and your family. I am so so sorry for your loss its not your fault.

I am so so very sorry for your loss! i know you have heard this a million times but please dont blame yourself! You did the best you could and you had no way of knowing this was going to happen!! Im just so glad you and your husband are "ok" and made it out alive. I know a lady who had a similar leak and she wasnt so lucky....
i will be praying for you!
please take care of yourself!

I am so sorry for your loss. I am sending prayers and hugs your way. You did everything you could, Fly free babies!!

My heart weeps for you losing your babies. I am so sorry. I cannot imagine the pain of lossing three at one time. It was totally out of you control and you did not do anything wrong. So try not to blame yourselves and give the remaining two babies plenty of love. Again I am so so sorry for your loss.

Please know that our thoughts are with you. Very sorry for your loss.

Katrina, I'm so sorry for you as well. I know how much Lily and Saphire meant to you.

I am grateful that no human lives were lost in this tragic accient.

I am so sorry for your loss and I understand what your are feeling, if you remember I lost 4 of my fids back in October to an accident also. You can not blame yourself - you did everything you could to protect them and provide them a good home. It can take a while to get over the guilt feeling even if you know you didn't do anything wrong. I still have those days once in a while.
Just know that they are flying free and watching over you now.

I'm truly sorry for the loss of your babies. I don't know what else to say. I can't stop crying. Seeing their pictures just tore my heart out! I hope they are flying high and looking down on you and your other babies. I will be going out later and picking up another CO detector and plugging it in right next to my stove. I can't imagine the hurt you are going through. Please know we are all hurting with you. I will saying prayers for you and the babies tonight. Sending hugs your way!!! May God be with you while you heal.
JA

im so sorry cali for you loss i will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers

I'm very sorry and shocked that this has happened to you and to lose all 3 babies at once too.

Am feeling very sad for you...

Xcali Honey i am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with you and your b/f. You are right you prepared for everything you could...this out of your control. Cry, hurt and then heal...we will all be right here for and with you.

We are thankful that you are physically ok.

Honey, you know that I am sorry. This too will pass, give yourself time to heal and then find the strength to move on.

((huggs))

You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Oh i am so sorry for your loss! that is such a harsh blow!! All i can say is that you had their best interest at heart. i never even
thought to get a co2 alarm! livelovelaugh always Tinene They are flying with only the thoughts that you loved them and enjoying the
light!

I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you.............

I am so very sorry for your loss and you did do everything in your power to protect them and love them. It is NOT your fault and you should NEVER feel that way. I have lost many pets over my lifetime and it never gets any easier. Keep them close to your heart and always remember the good times you had. It will pass, but you will never forget them. Don't beat yourself up......you did all you could to protect them and they know that you loved them very much. My deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to you right now. I will keep you in my prayers.

Gosh I'm so sorry. I can only imagine how it is to loose three at one time. I'm truly sorry and I want to echo everyone eles. Don't blame yourself.

No it's NOT your fault at all!! We know how much you loved those birds!!!

It does not matter where the gas leak is or where the fids are located gas can travel.before I had fids we could have died from gas if a neighbor had not beat on our bedroom window screaming open you windows and turn off all gas jets.

Again ..

Thank you all for your kind words and support. God Bless.

I know it is very sad losing these babies,but we are so glad that you are still here with us. Sending you hugs and if you need a shoulder to cry on I am only a PM away.

wow. i'm soooo sorry to read this. it's a tragic accident that could happen to any one of us at any time. please know that we are all grieving with you. you'll get through this, just take as much time as you need. cherish the memories you have and know that all 3 of them KNEW they were loved for their entire lives.

take care.

kris

Who could have known? Please don't blame yourself. so sorry for your losses.

I am so very sorry for what happened to your babies, you did everything right so please dont blame yourself. I dont have a gas alarm and the thought never crossed my mind. You can sure bet Im getting a couple of them real soon though. My heart breaks for you...

I am so very very sorry, my thoughts to out to you, I can only imagine you you are feeling.

Katrina, I am very sorry for you as well, I know how much you loved your babies.

I'm SO SO sorry Katrina.. I can't even imagine what you're going through right now, it must be so difficult. Huge hugs to you and your husband.

Oh, my! I'm so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing this information through your heartbreak. I too, would have thought that with the precautions it would have given a better chance for everyone and all of the beloved feathered & furry family members a chance to get to safety.

Jess

What a tragic shame. I see no blame here. Accidents happen.

To those affected by this sad tragedy, my heart goes out to you.

I'm sorry to have to interject into this thread but need to remind everyone to focus on the original intent of this message - which is to offer support to those who have experienced this loss. Thank you.

Theresa,
I just want you to know that I am thinking of you and your family today. I am glad you are all ok. Sending prayers to your family during this time.........