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      • Cedarburg Bog - Saukville, WI
      • Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha, WI
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      • Deer Creek Sanctuary - New Berlin, WI
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      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Belgium, WI
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      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
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      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
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      • Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Grafton, WI
      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Mequon Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preservel - Eagle, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Riverbend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Waterford, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park
      • Big Foot Beach State Park
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      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
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      • Kohler Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
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    • Sculpture Gardens and Conservancies >
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  • Gardening for Wildlife
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    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More
    • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary - Green Bay, WI
Picture

Loss and the Healing Power of Nature

3/7/2018

2 Comments

 
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Last week my heart broke.  My pet cockatiel, Google, passed away quite suddenly.  Though I thought I had picked up on his ailment early, it wasn't early enough. Birds are fragile creatures.  Google, all of 9 years old, declined swiftly, though several valiant trips to the vet were made, and last Thursday night he passed away.  My darling is gone, and my heart is in tatters.

He passed away late that night, and neither my husband or I slept much.  The shock, the grief, the guilt, too much to bear.  He was ingrained in our lives so thoroughly.  We have a flock of parakeets as well, but Google thought he was human. He spent all his waking time with us when we were at home.  In fact, whenever I worked late, or when I worked  Saturdays, I usually sent a text to my husband to let him know I was on my way home.  His response would be "Google and I will be waiting."  

Having had pet birds for over 12 years now, we have known our share of losses.  I grieve these greatly.  But during the past nine years, when we suffered a terrible loss, I would tell myself, at least we still have Google.  I thought we would grow old together. Cockatiels can live to be 25 years old, sometimes more.  Even our oldest parakeet lived to be 12.  Most live to be 5-9 years old in our experience.  And though they get great care, loss comes with the territory.  Loss, as we all know, is the great price that comes with Love.

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In the past several days I have struggled to come to terms with this loss. It has just been a week after all.  And those of you who have loved and lost pets know the sadness of which I speak.  He's not calling to us before we even open the door when we arrive home, he's not yelling to us to get out of bed and come let him out in the morning.  He's not preening my hair while I edit nature photos, or chewing on my latest copy of whatever magazine.  I don't think there is a book in the house that he hasn't nibbled on.  We often would hang out together at the back window in our bedroom watching the wild birds outside, the rabbits, the squirrels.  Google often liked to sit in the warmth of ​the sun on the windowsill. Something he was at least able to do in the last few days he was with us.  He often ate dinner with us as well.  He'd finish his dinner first, then make his way over to sit on my husbands knee while we ate.  He napped with us, sang with us, whistled with us, showered, even.  This loss is going to be hard to overcome. 

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In the past several days I have begun the process of cleaning out his things. Since we have a flock of parakeets, it is imperative that we make sure to minimize any chance of any of them getting the infection that Google had. So, no closing the door and weeping in bed. Things need tending to.  The desire to go hiking and expound on the beauties of nature low on my list.  

But at my husband's insistence, I have gone out to a couple local parks briefly. And, though it's been sad, it has been helpful, at least a bit.  ​Saturday morning I dropped dear Google off at the vet to be cremated.  I could barely stand the idea of going back home, to where he would not be.  I took a brief walk in the park, tears in my eyes, grief in my heart.  The sound of the wild birds in the trees a thimbleful of comfort.

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For me, the love of pet birds, and wild birds, coincides deeply in my life.  We had pet birds first, then became fascinated by the birds visiting our backyard feeders. Even here, in the midst of the city, the variety is wonderful.  Everyday birds like sparrows and finches, chickadees, cardinals, crows, mourning doves, blue jays, downy woodpeckers, nuthatches, starlings,  and the occasional visit by a hawk.  Precious creatures all.  

This loss will not pass easily. The pain in my heart, and the knot in my stomach tell me so quite clearly.  But I will let our flock of parakeets, and the coming bird migration, help me to heal.  And we will let nature work her magic.  Though she has her work cut out for her. Google, my fine-feathered little search engine, I miss you with all my heart. 

2 Comments
Joe
3/7/2018 09:35:09 pm

Google loved you a lot. You made his life wonderful with your love. He was a beautiful bird.

Reply
Genelle link
5/6/2019 08:41:12 pm

Very nice experience. I believe in the healing power of nature especially when you are physically and mentally exhausted.

Reply

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    A traveler, singer,  novice photographer, humane gardener, and nature lover.
    ​I've been keeping closer to home these days, and truly discovering the beauty that lies in The Park Next Door.

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  • Home
    • Contact
    • Sign up for Updates
  • Blog
  • Migration Song - The Magic of Bird Migration
  • Let's Explore
    • Nature Trails >
      • 116th Street - Oak Leaf Trail - West Allis, WI
      • Bald Bluff Nature Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Emma Carlin Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Ice Age Visitor Center Nature Trail - Campbellsport, WI
      • Kettle Moraine Low Prairie Natural Area - Eagle, WI
      • Kohl Park Hiking Trail - Milwaukee, WI
      • Koshkonong Effigy Mounds - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Paradise Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Seminary Woods - St. Francis, WI
      • Stute Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Washington Avenue Nature Trail - Sheboygan, WI
    • Local Parks >
      • Big Hill Park - Beloit, WI
      • Bratt Woods - Grafton, WI
      • Brown Deer Park - Brown Deer, WI
      • Carver-Roehl County Park - Clinton, WI
      • Cliffside Park - Caledonia, WI
      • Copernicus Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Cudahy Woods - Cudahy, WI
      • Dorothy Carnes Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Elm Grove Village Park - Elm Grove, WI
      • Endicott Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Estabrook Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Falk Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Franklin Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Glacier Hills County Park - Hubertus, WI
      • Grant Park - South Milwaukee
      • Greenfield Park - West Allis
      • Grobschmidt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hales Corners Park, Ben Hunt Prairie and Cabin, Seneca Hale Summer Kitchen, Cobb Park - Hales Corners, WI
      • Harnischfeger Park - Ixonia, WI
      • Hartung Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • High Grove Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Homestead Hollow County Park - Germantown, WI
      • Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Jacobus Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Korth Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • John Muir Memorial County Park - Town of Buffalo, WI
      • Alan Kulwicki Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Menomonee Falls
      • Lincoln Park - Glendale, WI
      • Lion's Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Lizard Mound County Park - Farmington, WI
      • Malone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Mangan Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Mary Knoll Park - Brookfield, WI
      • McCarty Park - West Allis, WI
      • Monarch Trail / County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Mush Ko Se Day Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Muskego Boardwalk Nature Trail - Muskego, WI
      • Muskego Park - Muskego, WI
      • Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI
      • Nitschke Mounds County Park - Burnett, WI
      • Prairie Springs Park - Pleasant Prairie, WI
      • Richfield Historical Park - Richfield, WI
      • Rivers Edge Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Sandy Knoll County Park - Town of Trenton, WI
      • Scout Lake Park - Greendale, WI
      • Simmons Woods Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • South Shore Park - Bayview, WI
      • Three Bridges Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Turtle Creek Parkway / Tiffany Bridge - Clinton, WI
      • Virmond Park - Mequon, WI
      • Warnimont Park - Cudahy, WI
      • Washington Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • White River County Park - Walworth County
      • Whitnall Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine, WI
    • Nature Preserves >
      • Badertscher Preserve - Muskego, WI
      • Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area - Sauk City, WI
      • Beulah Bog - East Troy, WI
      • Blue Heron Wildlife Sanctuary - Saukville, WI
      • Cedarburg Bog - Saukville, WI
      • Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha, WI
      • Robert O Cook Arboretum - Janesville, WI
      • Crooked Creek Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Deer Creek Sanctuary - New Berlin, WI
      • Emerald Preserve - Oak Creek, WI
      • Engel Conservation Area - Muskego, WI
      • Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Belgium, WI
      • Fox River Sanctuary - Waukesha, WI
      • Garrison's Glen - Mequon, WI
      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
      • Gordon Tabor Memorial Woods - Caledonia, WI
      • Grasslyn Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Grootemaat Nature Preserve - Greendale, WI
      • Hartland Marsh Preserve - Village of Hartland, WI
      • Hawthorn Glen - Milwaukee, WI
      • Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon, WI
      • Huiras Lake Natural Area - Fredonia, WI
      • Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - Williams Bay, WI
      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
      • Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Madison, WI
      • Ledge View Nature Center - Chilton, WI
      • Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Grafton, WI
      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Mequon Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preservel - Eagle, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Riverbend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Waterford, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park
      • Big Foot Beach State Park
      • Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI
      • C. D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area - Kewaunee, WI
      • Cadiz Springs State Park - New Glarus, WI
      • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
      • Havenwoods State Forest - Milwaukee, WI
      • High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, WI
      • Kohler Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • La Budde State Natural Area - Ice Age Trail Segment - Plymouth, WI
      • Lake Kegonsa State Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Lapham Peak State Park - Delafield, WI
      • Mauthe Lake State Recreation Area - Campbellsport, WI
      • Pike Lake State Park - Hartford, WI
      • Point Beach State Forest - Two Rivers, WI
    • Sculpture Gardens and Conservancies >
      • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden - Colgate, WI
      • Boerner Botanical Gardens - Hales Corners, WI
      • Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer, MN
      • James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden - Town of Wilson, WI
      • Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture - West Bend, WI
      • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy - Milwaukee, WI
      • Nick Engelbert's Grandview - Hollandale, WI
      • M. Schettl Sales - Sculpture and Oddities
      • Rotary Botanical Gardens - Janesville, WI
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calvary Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Highland Memorial Park Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc, WI
      • New Berlin Center Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • Oak Hill Cemetery - Lake Geneva, WI
  • Gardening for Wildlife
    • The Eco-Friendly Lawn
    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More
    • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary - Green Bay, WI