Berry & Luee: bittersweet story
Aug 16, 2014 11:33:46 GMT
Marianne Marlow, stace, and 2 more like this
Post by birdguhl on Aug 16, 2014 11:33:46 GMT
(Please indulge me as I carry on with my little budgie pic splurge!)
As many of you know, Berry, who is one of my original young budgies, was diagnosed with beak & feather disease last year. He is a lively, perky, characterful wee boy but in the last few months his appearance has altered quite dramatically as you'll see from the pictures. I have winced a bit recently when I see how thin and patchy his feathers are now. The last time I had to catch him up to weigh him, they were just rubbing off in my hand. Keeping him warm enough over the winter is going to have to call for special measures - probably an infrared hot spot lamp on all the time.
However, despite the sadness of seeing him deteriorate there is the joy of his relationship with Luee. I am so thankful that he came along when he did. He is the perfect devoted partner of Berry and clearly adores him. Apart from being placid and patient in nature (Berry can be a wee bit irritable and bossy), as an large and excessively feathery bud, Luee is also ideally placed to provide preening opportunities for Berry, who is an inveterate over-preener.
It is hard to get good pictures of them as they are in the cage all the time, but these were taken this morning:
As many of you know, Berry, who is one of my original young budgies, was diagnosed with beak & feather disease last year. He is a lively, perky, characterful wee boy but in the last few months his appearance has altered quite dramatically as you'll see from the pictures. I have winced a bit recently when I see how thin and patchy his feathers are now. The last time I had to catch him up to weigh him, they were just rubbing off in my hand. Keeping him warm enough over the winter is going to have to call for special measures - probably an infrared hot spot lamp on all the time.
However, despite the sadness of seeing him deteriorate there is the joy of his relationship with Luee. I am so thankful that he came along when he did. He is the perfect devoted partner of Berry and clearly adores him. Apart from being placid and patient in nature (Berry can be a wee bit irritable and bossy), as an large and excessively feathery bud, Luee is also ideally placed to provide preening opportunities for Berry, who is an inveterate over-preener.
It is hard to get good pictures of them as they are in the cage all the time, but these were taken this morning:
. Berry does look sooo tiny and vulnerable, i think a little knitted jumper is in order for him 
. 
It must be hard seeing him gradually getting worse - makes me think of that photo you have of Berry and Woody flying past together. 
But so like the others, I find the bonds these little guys make really are special, and who cares about looks? Odd really, as in the wild they go to so much trouble to look beautiful to catch a mate! What a pity Luee can't share his coat with Berry, 
