Post by starzie on May 26, 2013 18:25:21 GMT
Yesterday I lost my darling zebra finch Hopalong
Hop was one of the sweetest, loving and timid birds I've ever met. He was very nervous and certainly not a dominant bird, but he was a wonderful and much loved member of the flock, who loved nothing more than a bath or to cuddle up with a partner for a preen or to try and build a nest in the food bowl!
I don't have favourites, but Hop was very special to me as I always felt he was the underdog of the flock. When I got him 4 years ago, he had a paralysed foot as a result of poor handling by the previous owner - one of the reasons I think he was so nervous around humans. He wasn't picked on by the others but it's fair to say he didn't have it easy and was sometimes bullied by Man Meep or Baby Meep and wasn't allowed near the food bowl. I was always concerned that of the entire flock, he would be the first one I lost, but he had a strong spirit and proved me well and truly wrong, and was my longest-owned finch bar Charlie, who I got with Hopalong and is still going strong today. I don't know his exact age, but I would put him to be around 6 years old. He held a special place in my heart and will continue to hold it even though he's gone.
It's comforting to think that he is back with Speckles, who was the partner he came with when I got him. I lost her 3 years ago and even though he's a finch, I remember how sad and alone Hop seemed for weeks after. As well, he is with Lady Meep again, to whom he got very close after Speck's death, until her death last year. Poor old Hop didn't have much luck with the ladies in that respect, as he outlived them all - hopefully, things will change now they're all together in birdie heaven.
I wish he could have held on for another week, as this is my last week at uni and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, but I'm so glad he passed away peacefully and had a happy life. Fly high, Hop, you are an angel now. We'll all miss you and I'll be looking for the brightest star in the sky tonight, because that one will be you watching over us xxxx
Hop was one of the sweetest, loving and timid birds I've ever met. He was very nervous and certainly not a dominant bird, but he was a wonderful and much loved member of the flock, who loved nothing more than a bath or to cuddle up with a partner for a preen or to try and build a nest in the food bowl!
I don't have favourites, but Hop was very special to me as I always felt he was the underdog of the flock. When I got him 4 years ago, he had a paralysed foot as a result of poor handling by the previous owner - one of the reasons I think he was so nervous around humans. He wasn't picked on by the others but it's fair to say he didn't have it easy and was sometimes bullied by Man Meep or Baby Meep and wasn't allowed near the food bowl. I was always concerned that of the entire flock, he would be the first one I lost, but he had a strong spirit and proved me well and truly wrong, and was my longest-owned finch bar Charlie, who I got with Hopalong and is still going strong today. I don't know his exact age, but I would put him to be around 6 years old. He held a special place in my heart and will continue to hold it even though he's gone.
It's comforting to think that he is back with Speckles, who was the partner he came with when I got him. I lost her 3 years ago and even though he's a finch, I remember how sad and alone Hop seemed for weeks after. As well, he is with Lady Meep again, to whom he got very close after Speck's death, until her death last year. Poor old Hop didn't have much luck with the ladies in that respect, as he outlived them all - hopefully, things will change now they're all together in birdie heaven.
I wish he could have held on for another week, as this is my last week at uni and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, but I'm so glad he passed away peacefully and had a happy life. Fly high, Hop, you are an angel now. We'll all miss you and I'll be looking for the brightest star in the sky tonight, because that one will be you watching over us xxxx