Post by chiprockskip on Aug 11, 2015 16:52:24 GMT
Skipper the fighter
Skipper and his bestest mate ever Rocky.Well Skipper i told you i wouldn't forget you,one year on and who could forget the bravest little fighter i've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Some said you where ulgly but we know better eh. Anyone who got to know you like i did would see beneath the feathers and skin and find a realy tough, determind and mostly happy little fellow.
Life was never kind to you little mate was it, born around May 2013 with liver problems that left you horribly stunted. No wings to speak of , no tail either. Plumage could have been better and only god realy knows what else was wrong with you. But you had that determination life had delt you a bad hand and you just sort of said i'm not playing that game i'll make my own rules. I remember the vet saying you had 3 lucky breaks first your liver was working enough to keep you alive, secondly you survived those first few months, and thirdly i came along and was willing to help you. When i first saw you in the display cage in that market i knew you needed some help, and i wasn't going to refuse you. So off we went back to my house i made mistakes at first i'd never looked after a poorly bird before and you'd never had a owner before. Eventualy between you me and the vet we did our best to make your life easyer. Seed pots everywhere your water we called soup co's of all the additives. Skippers soup eh ! but Rocky enjoyed it to didn't he ? And Rocky what a mate he turned out to be, you lived for that big bird didn't you. And Rocky the big rock rocker looked after you he'd get off the swing for you he'd move out of the way to let you feed and Rocky the king of the toys he'd let you try and play only his windmill was off limits. I used to laugh co's you'd go and stand next to it and he'd come running over as if to say "GET OFF THAT" and you'd just look at him as if to say "i'm not touching it just standing very very close to it" he'd never know what to do.
There were times that i saw a pain in you not the physical pain from your problems but a need to play and join in and you couldent. Like in the mornings Rocky'd fly up to the top of the door and sing you'd climb out on to the landing stage and look up at him i know you so wanted to fly you'd try and join in the song to but little squeeks where all you could manage. You looked so pathetic and i felt so sorry for you i'd try and imagin what it would be like to be a bird that couldn't fly or sing and i could tell you so wanted to. But that determination showed through and you'd launch yourself off stubby wings flaping like mad only to fall time and time again. Then you hit on an idea "i might not be able to fly but i have a tame person" so you'd look at me and look untill i'd pick you up and put you on the door. There happy, your little head would fluff up all fine untill Rocky flew off. Then it was the look again "erm dad could you". Yes little mate i could and i tryed to make it one of my jobs to take you where you wanted to go. You never botherd with Chippy and he never with you , you just kept out of each others way. But Chips was old then and he only wanted to sit on my arm. And that was cool as far as you where cocered co's all you wanted was Rocky. You'd follow him everywhere i remember Rockys bath time he mostly had showers but for once i gave him a bath to try so funny at first Rocky standing on the edge of the bath going through the motion's of bathing without being in the water. And you sat in the cage thinking "what am i missing" came climbing up the side (the bath was on the top) ran accross the top of the cage and because you had no tail you'd pich forward alot no counterbalance, so at full speed up onto the edge of the bath and before Rockys eye's SPLOSH but it gave Rock the right idea and he soon followed if not so gungho. I thought you both where having some fun but sadly life said not for you Skipper and we discoverd that you had very little down under your feathers and you got realy cold and you shiverd and started to go a bit funny. Hypothermia ?. Well i had to hold you and put the heating on to get you warm again. Poor Skipper from then on bath time became spectater only.
And real pain i watched while you sufferd the times i'd uncover you in the morning to find you with sick all down your chest other times i'd watch and you'd just stand still all your little feathers flat then be sick and i'd think how can a little thing hold so much, then you'd just sit still looking so lost i knew your little guts must be hurting. Somtimes i'd think would it be kinder to....but then no because you rally right before my eyes slowly the feathers would come back up we'd give you a quick wipe and you'd be off attacking the millit, beak in the nearest seed pot Rocky would stand next to you as if to say "c'on mate you can do it" and you did time and time again. Somhow Rocky understud you couldent fly and he'd walk with you, once i remember he flew up to the cage then looked back to see you walking back to your ladder and he flew back and walked with you. Thats mates for you eh. I used to think as long as he's enjoying most of his life then it's worth it. Skipper the fighter you wanted to live. And i was going to do everything in my power to help you.
Then disaster Rocky your rock took ill and died, life had thrown a real big hit at you and this time it was too much even for my little fighter. I moved you into Rocks cage well house, you where always in there anyway, you'd sit on the swing , stand next to the windmill, look at the top of the door. He'd gone and you where lost You'd make your lonly way to all the places Rock would like to sit only to find him not there. I went out and brought Sparky to be a friend for you. And you'd make your way on to his cage and i thought maybe, but no you ignord him and just sat at the edge of the cage where you and Rocky used to somtimes sit Then eleven days after Rocky went i came home to find you'd followed him one last time. I do so hope you found him. No i know you did, nothing could stop that determination. Skipper the fighter.
I can only say that it was a privilege to watch you fight, you tought me alot especialy never to give in. And somtimes love and friendship are more important than anything, thanks Skipper we somtimes forget that. Only on this earth for 18 months but for one little sick bird you did well you won some hearts and you enjoyed a friendship some people would envy. And to me you where always beautiful. And remember when we used to say the words at night and i'd tell you that one day god would make you whole again just as if youd never been born poorly, with big strong wings and a long tail, feathers all in place and with your purple flashes on your cheeks you'll look magnificent. Well God wont let you down little mate. I miss you so much but i hope that you and Rocky are the blue birds that fly over the rainbow. Till we meet again little mate love you and fly high.
