In Memory of my Pet Budgie, Chirpy
Thank you, you stubborn, cool old chap.
My pet budgie, Chirpy, passed away last month. I’ve been wanting to write something to commemorate him, and I finally took the time to finish this post over the weekend. Here are my final wishes for Chirpy.
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這篇文章的中文版在這裡。
In 2014, I adopted from a netizen two budgies, Chirpy (喧喧) and Chirrupy (嘩嘩). When Chirrupy passed away last year, Chirpy was still in good health. A while ago, I worried about whether I’d be able to accompany him in his final days. Unexpectedly, in mid-September, Chirpy’s health suddenly worsened. Only five days passed from the time he lost his appetite to his passing. He lived for 13 years, always healthy, suddenly aged in his final week, and passed away soon after. Perhaps that was the most peaceful way to leave this world, whether bird or human.
In retrospect, Chirpy’s changes likely began in August. His call suddenly changed, but his appetite remained normal—he ate 2 to 3 grams of feed each day. At the time, I found it strange that his call would change as he aged. Chirpy’s life was truly full of surprises.
Starting on September 19, his food intake suddenly dropped to just over one gram. I observed him for two or three days, but there was no improvement, so I decided to take him to the vet—though I was also prepared for the possibility of his passing. Even with the medicine from the vet, Chirpy still had no appetite and resisted my attempts to feed him, as if to say: “Don’t feed me; I can eat by myself,” or “I can still fly and am very healthy. I don’t need to be fed at all,” or even, “Nonsense, no feeding—I, Chirpy, am prepared to die.”
My experiences caring for my three pet parrots — Chirpy, Chirrupy, and Sunny — were all very different. Chirrupy was like a delicate princess—she would take quite some milk when coaxed and fed carefully, but never gained weight no matter how much she ate. Sunny is the easiest to care for; whether it’s medicine, milk, or fruit, she’ll eagerly eat anything offered on a spoon. Chirpy, a thoroughly stubborn old chap, would get angry and bite me hard whenever I tried to feed him.
Last year, I took care of Chirrupy for about six months. She passed away after a long illness, so in my mind, her passing was like a release from pain—a peaceful embrace of happiness that brought a sense of relief. When Chirpy suddenly weakened, I regretted favoring Chirrupy and Sunny over him and was determined to make it up to him. Little did I expect that he would pass away so soon, not even allowing me a few days to care for him. One moment he was alive and flying around, and within a week, his appetite suddenly decreased. Yet he could still fly the day before he passed away and even stand and eat on his own that morning. In his last moments, he lay in my hand, too weak to stand. At 1:00 p.m. on September 25, Chirpy passed away at the age of 13.
I didn’t expect that when Chirpy passed away, my biggest regret would be not playing with him more and not showing him more affection. In my mind, Chirpy was always a simple-minded bird. His only thoughts were probably “Let me out to play!” or “Hey, play with me!” Unlike Chirrupy, who needed a lot of care, or Sunny, who always shows affection and asks for scritches, Chirpy was easygoing, so I somewhat overlooked him. He didn’t want to trouble me, even in his last moments. I appreciated his cool “birsonality,” but felt I hadn’t fully deserved his thoughtfulness. Sadly, these thoughts and regrets feel too late now.
Thank you, Chirpy, for accompanying us all these years. I remember the time he played with my grandma, who scolded him as “a naughty bird that bites people.” Thank you for giving us so many happy memories. And thank you for reminding me, through your life, to seize the moment.
I removed Chirpy’s favorite bell from his cage and buried it with him. He still had his beautiful feathers when we laid him to rest. Thank you, Chirpy, a healthy and cheerful bird who took such good care of yourself. May you fly happily in heaven along with Chirrupy, and thank you for allowing me to accompany you in your final days.
