Death of My Last Angel

When I "acquired" my first, he was so scared, so sad, had so much potential. 
I saw him as who he truly was.
Oh, I was told that he was a pest, too loud, too aggressive.

It was love at first sight for me.

He whistled then sang the very first time we saw each other.

He went home with me within the first 10 minutes we saw each other. I want to believe that he loved me, too, in his own way.

Many people take strays in. Stray dogs, stray cats, rescue horses. That aspect of life had eluded me, until he came into my life.

It was then that my love for him, as well as his kind, began.

He was still a bit scared when he first went home with me. He had been so unappreciated, so neglected, given barely enough food with water to keep him alive. 
He was like a P.O.W. in Vietnam, kept in a cage being abused by way of neglect. His wondrously strong personality, cheerful singing, whistling, an occasional hiss when startled, showed his masculine personality. Such a character! Ha Ha!

I took him home with me to give him time to adjust to being loved, held, truly valued for the majestic creature he was. His life was about to change into the way it should have been from the start. 48 hours after I brought him home, he began receiving the attention, love, care, food, water, which he should have had for the past 2 years.
He blossomed, sang more, preened more once he had adjusted.

Soon, he had a mate to keep him company. She was the love of his life. A pearl pied sweet hen. They raised babies together, re-created "Wild Kingdom" together. It was only natural. ha ha!

All 3 of his companions passed on before he did. He was simply too strong or stubborn to die.

He went by a few names in life ~

Petey
Petronicus
Dam Bird
Daddy Bird

He lived longer than many dogs or cats do. He was nearly 20 years old when he passed on. That's a long life for a cockatiel, a testament to the good care he received from myself, Ms. Heather and then the doting, loving care from Ms. Lillian.

Petey, fragile angel with beautiful feathers, tough bird full of personality, passed over the rainbow bridge a week ago (?). I only found out last night, second hand. It was such a shock. It really hurt that I wasn't given the news first hand. 
Insult to injury.

It may seem inconsequential because he was a bird, you can say that if you never knew Petey. 

My tears are flowing, off and on.
My tears will slowly subside, memories of him will remain.

I knew Petey, I loved Petey, a once in a lifetime bird.