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Hello Bird Lovers!
It is with great sadness that I must tell you that I recently had to say goodbye to my best feathered friend of the past 25 years. Zeke was my Congo African Grey that I had raised from a baby. I lost him to cancer.
We had a long and wondrous relationship. I was fascinated by his marvelous spirit, intelligence, sense of humor and his empathic nature. Zeke was the inspiration for many of the decisions I made in my life including the launch of Super Bird Creations 18 years ago. He even helped me to decide what to call my fledgling bird toy business. While I was sitting at my dining room table struggling to come up with a name he kept singing a silly song I had taught him, "Super Bird, Birdie Bird Bird".
Usually I talk about avian enrichment in terms of what we can do to improve the lives of our pet birds. However, in working through my loss, I've found myself reflecting on the term "avian enrichment" from the perspective of how much my relationship with birds has enriched my life and my spirit. Since the age of five, birds have almost continuously fulfilled the roles of best friend, faithful companion, trusted confidant and teacher in my life. I can only hope that I have given as much to my birds as they have given me over the years.
So, I guess the message I want to convey this month is to hold your birds very close in your heart and cherish all the little things they do to brighten your life. Please honor their gifts by doing your best to return the favor.
"I still miss those I loved who are no longer with me but I find I am grateful for having loved them. The gratitude has finally conquered the loss." - Rita Mae Brown
Fly free my little Zeeker, I know I have a little feathered angel on my shoulder. | 
