Duckybird
09-15-2010, 10:56 PM
He was my sweet, sassy, and sometimes bratty pied boy. I mistakenly gave him a girl's name after picking him out of his clutch; quiet, very shy, and truthfully, a little bit ugly. Within a few short months he blossomed into the most beautiful creature I have ever known. He sang, strutted, and whistled tunes of his own creation. His favorite was probably "charge" though. When he learned to fly it was so beautiful, and he quickly learned to come when called. I allowed him to fly every winter in our South Florida home; it was the only time every year the ceiling fans were turned off. He flew away this June, after figuring out how to escape from his outdoor cage. I walked out onto my deck that afternoon to find him sitting on top, chattering away. He stepped up for me, but before I could even move, he took off. Even with clipped wings, he was a strong flier, and our house sitting high on the hill allowed him to glide into the trees. For 2 days I listened to my beautiful boy calling in the woods behind our home. I whistled and walked the woods for hours. I carried a long branch to rattle the bushes, hoping I could find him tired out on the ground. It broke my heart to come home empty-handed each time. On the third day I couldn't hear Dixie anymore. I can only hope that my sweet boy flew to someone who will love him like I did. For 7 years he was my constant companion, and I miss his crazy antics like no other. I know his little brother, Ducky, misses him too. I love you, Dixie. I wish you were still here with me.