Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

RIP Lily

I got back from Portland this evening and I was going to blog about my trip. But obviously life doesn't always turn out the way you plan it.

Tragedy struck my family this evening. Our beloved family pet died unexpectedly and words cannot describe how incredibly sad I am. I never knew it was possible to love a pet so much. It hurts very badly.

Her name was Lily and she was my family's love bird. We bought her as a baby a few years ago. This was not our first pet. We've had 14 rabbits and other birds (parakeets, finches, etc.) before, but we never got attached.



Lily was different. She was the smartest bird we have ever had. She had a huge personality and was almost like a dog. She sat with my parents at the dinner table and nibbled food off their plates and always tried to drink beer out of my mom's glass. (She loved beer). She knew who we were. The minute we would enter the house, she would start chirping and rush to the side of the cage where we were standing and hang on her perch upside down to make us laugh. She always demanded attention.

Most of her time was spent outside of the cage than inside. She loved to sit on our shoulders and walk up and down each staircase of the house. She always let us know what annoyed her. One time, I tried feeding her some bread she thought was disgusting so she jumped up on my shoulder and bit me on the ear.

For my parents, she was the center of their life. They talked about her constantly, played with her all the time, and if you didn't know any better, you would think she was their second kid. It always comforted me to know they had something like that in their life, since I'm not always around.

This evening, Lily was sitting on my mom's shoulder after we got back in from Portland. My mom was unpacking and not paying attention and accidentally slammed into a doorway. Lily smashed into the doorway too and fell to the ground. We think her neck broke. My mom held her and tried to comfort her while I tried to find the number for a vet. But it was too late. Lily passed away ten minutes later.

I am so devastated and my heart is breaking right now. I will never forget the look on Lily's face when we were holding her while she was dying. I could see the pain and she was so quiet. She was making soft little chirp noises, so different from her usual sound. It is the worst feeling in the world to be so helpless around someone you love when they need you the most. I wish there was something I could have done for her. I wish I could go back in time.

My mom feels worse than I do. She blames herself. But it wasn't her fault. It was an accident.

I just can't believe this has happened. I want it all to be a nightmare and to wake up tomorrow and find out Lily is okay.

But I can't and I won't.

I guess all I can do now is hope to stop crying.

19 comments:

Ela said...

Oh Jennifer, I am so, so sorry. Lily sounds like a fantastic bird and the best family pet one could ever have.

S and I had a cat, Foof, I didn't even like cats, until I met him. He thought he was a dog. We would play fetch together with a piece of paper rolled up into a ball. We lived with my parents after we first got married and Foof had grown attached to them especially since my mom was mostly home during the day. When we bought our first house we didn't want to leave Foof alone all day so we asked my parents if Foof could live there, they were more than happy to take him. We visited him often and even though we weren't always around I know he knew we loved him. One night I got a call from my mom, she had come home the night before and shut the door quickly because it was so cold. Foof was an indoor cat but liked to sneak out whenever the door opened, she hadn't noticed he snuck out. He ended up spending the whole night, in the middle of winter, outside. The next morning she realized he wasn't around. She found him waiting by the front door and a few hours later he died of a heart attack (according to the vet). My heart broke in pieces and I don't know if I can ever have a pet again.

I know just how you feel and I'm so sorry. Sending you warm hugs and hope the happy memories of Lily will get you through the tough days ahead. In my heaven, I picture pets being reunited with the families that loved them, here's hoping...

Hugs and kisses,
Ela

Aquiles Damiron-Alcantara said...

I am deeply sorry about Lily. I hope everything gets better.

Buenos deseos,
Aquiles

www.minutebyminute09.blogspot.com

LAYNE said...

Jennifer,

I am so sorry to about your loss. reading this made me fall in love with a little bird whom i have never met.

x,
Tayler

Gerri Ward said...

I know how you feel,it's horrible to lose a pet! People just don't understand they are FAMILY! This post has made me sad and when I read it and look at LILLY my heart breaks and I too shed tears! When you said she looked at you when she was dying, OMG! That's sooo SAD! I really feel for your MOTHER because I know her heart is breaking! Just remember Lilly knew she was LOVED!
I'll say a prayer for LILLY tonight and one also for your family especially your MOTHER!
xoxo,
Gerri

MJ said...

Oh, I'm really sorry Jennifer. Pets really are family and I hope you feel better soon enough...

Couture Carrie said...

Oh I am so sorry, darling!

xoxox,
CC

Syed said...

Awww so incredibly sorry to hear this dear. I hope you're all ok dear, and that you feel better soon :)

Haute World said...

Oh no, I'm so sorry for your loss :( I had tons of smaller pets as well including two budgies as a child. All of them died of old age, so despite my sadness, I knew it was inevitable. It must be even harder though to have seen Lily die like that, especially if it was an accident. I can imagine how much your mom blames herself and thinking 'what if she hadn't slammed into the door'. My heart goes out to all of you and I think as long as she lives on in your memories, she will be alive. xoxo

Sarah Von Bargen said...

Oh no! Losing a pet is awful - sending good vibes and hugs in your direction.

DS said...

I am so sorry. It hurts to have anyone close to you and your family pass away. Our family dog had to be put down a couple of months ago because he was in pain all the time and could barely walk anymore. My heart goes out to you and your family.

FASHION CHALET said...

I am so sorry to hear that. :( A pet is always more than just a pet. They become a piece of your family. My brother and I were terribly sad when I our childhood dog got sick. She was 14 and a half but it was tough on us (Coco Chanel) we at least got to say goodbye at the Shelter first but it still breaks my heart. I hold fast to the memories, that's what keeps us strong, together and able to eventually smile again. You've got a beautiful heart, and Lily will always remember you that way! <3

If you ever want to talk, you know I'm here to listen.:)



xxoox!

Taylor S. said...

I'm really sorry to hear about your loss Jennifer. I can tell how much you loved the bird, by the way you talk about her. If i didn't know it was a bird i would think that it was your bestfriend. I hope that your family can learn that sometimes things in life happen for a reason, maybe someone in heaven needed Lily more than you and your family. Please, tell your mom that it's okay.
xoxo taylor
R.I.P :
Lily the chirrping bird

Iva Messy said...

this is just so sad. I am so sorry. I know how you feel. We just put out little doggie to sleep a little bit ago. We had her for sooo long. I miss her so much. My heart is broken. Please feel better.

NICOLE said...

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Animals are such special creatures and their unconditional love is certainly the thing that makes it hardest to say goodbye. Rest peacefully in the knowledge that both you and your family nurtured and cherished her while she was with us on earth. Love, Nic

jane st. clair said...

that's heartbreaking. i once had a pet die in an accident, and it still hurts to think about it. but lily knows that your mom is not to blame and knows how much joy she brought to the family. my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Damsels said...

oh no thats so horrible .. ican only imagine what your mother must feel.

Ton Amour said...

I am very sorry. :( I remeber her well, the prettiest little bird that ever was.

yiqin; said...

I am so so so sorry :(

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