01/08/2017
I love you Baby Bird...
Hi, everyone. I need to let you know that, yes, Disco did die, almost exactly seven months ago.
I apologize for not having been able to tell you this sooner (for various reasons) and, honestly, I didn't plan on telling you now. Today I was contacted by someone letting me know of a post somewhere stating that Disco died this month in a horrific accident. **Untrue**
It is regrettable that 1) you didn't get the message from us, Disco's family, 2) that you didn't get the message sooner, and 3) you were led to believe he died a violent death. I'm truly sorry. So, yes, Disco passed away, but the other information is absolutely incorrect.
Disco died very suddenly this last winter, back in January, sometime during the night. So many of you have gone to say 'good morning!' to your friend only to see a beautiful but lifeless body at the bottom of the cage. People always say how unique Disco was. All birds are unique in their own way and, like all living things, their lives come to an end. When they do, you are no different from any other grieving bird lover: you have just lost a beloved friend; you don't want to believe it's true.
I don't know what caused his death, other than it wasn't anything violent, there wasn't an accident, and there wasn't anything remotely obvious leading us to be concerned about his wellbeing. I may have been neglecting Disco's friends - you - but we sure weren't neglecting him. (If anything, he got extra attention due to my mother's having been with us; it's kind of a comforting thought.)
At some point, for those interested (and I get it if you're not!), I might share some more about Disco's death. I - Disco - did warn you all early on that it might be some time before there was any activity because I had my mother coming to stay with us for medical reasons, and based on the last ten months (things don't always go as planned, do they?), I'd say I still probably wouldn't have posted anything at all until, well, August.
Along with needing a little more time before I post anything (I do know I have some footage still to look at... eventually), I'd appreciate it if you understand, too, if I haven't replied if you've attempted to get hold of me, and that, if you plan on contacting me now, I doubt I'm going to be able to reply now, either.
I really am so very, very sorry. I have dreaded having to write about this. I know some of you will be especially saddened, and that pains me, much like it pains my husband and me to see our daughter grieve for and miss Disco. I'll say to you what Disco always said when one of you had suffered a loss: eventually, sadness will be replaced with all the happy memories. This is what I have always told our daughter, and I know it to be true, at least for many people, myself definitely included.
I don't have time (or words) right this moment to adequately, appropriately convey how fond of you my family is (hey, people have feelings, too, and Disco was happy to share) and how much we have alway appreciated - and enjoyed! - all of the stories, pictures, and videos you've shared with us, so many laughs, the encouragement, the well wishes, and... I could go on. Maybe I'll get mushy at a later date, but you at least get the idea, right?
Disco was a very, very special bird. If you lived with him, you'd know it was *never* just because of his damned fine mimicry skills.
-- Judy (Disco's adult female human)