Barney

August 28th 2002

We bought Barney, a Lesser Jardine's, when he was 6 months old. We had got an Amazon for Mike, and I had caught the bug too, so after a lot of research I decided that a Jardine's sounded nice. We bought him at the Malvern show, where he was one of only 2 Jardine's available, and when the breeder took him out he bit me and then chewed through my zip. To be honest, I wasn't sure, but I thought we could give him a chance.

And he turned into a fantastic bird. Headstrong, self-confident, quick tempered, but so full of life! He loved me more than anything else, and would always run to me. I never had any trouble picking him up because he just wanted to be with me, chewing holes in my clothes or trying to get a head scratch. When he was annoyed with me, he would use a special honking sound that sounded like Donald Duck. A month or so before he died, he started to let me scratch under his wings, and turn him over on his back, as we'd built up real trust. In spite of the shaky start, he turned into the most loving, affectionate bird I could have had.

The day he died was the worst day I can remember. I can't even really talk about it now, but a dog shook him and broke his neck. He died in my hands. He had called to me for protection, but I couldn't get there in time. We only had him for 8 months. And now he is gone I see what a huge gap has been left in my life by such a small bird. I hope that somewhere my little mad green budgie is giving them all hell!!

Love
Petra & Mike

Lovingly remembered by members of Parrot Passions UK