Preface
It is hard enough losing a beloved animal, but Victor was more than that, he was my best friend. I am hoping by writing this book, it will help me to deal with what happened to him. I miss the times we spent together and the laughs we had. The only thing I can do is try not to dwell on how much I miss him, and cherish that precious time we shared together.
I tried to write this book many times in the past. Before this, it was extremely difficult to start because every time I started it, my emotions got the better of me. At first I had a hard time accepting the fact that a man like me, especially with my military background, could become so emotional about a small animal like a budgie. Five years of grieving brought me to this point and now I think I am finally ready to tell his whole story.
Chapter 1- The First Year
It is difficult to know what Victor was thinking in the first few months when he came to live with us. Based on what I learned over the next couple of years, I know he was a sentient being who understood clearly what was happening around him. Of course, I didn’t realize his amazing intelligence until later on, but I believe I can give you an accurate account of how he felt coming to our home and even before that when he was at the pet store. That would be how a caged bird would feel from the time it is born until it starts to live in a domesticated environment with humans. Most budgies are very adaptable. Under the right circumstances, many have longer and happier lives as pets then they would on their own in the wild. Victor was one that adapted so well he became a happy and cherished member of our family quite quickly.
In starting his story, I am going to set up a scenario that might help some people to understand a little more about how a budgie might feel in captivity. To understand Victor’s story, you have to put yourself in his shoes. If you were a bird, you would be naturally free spirited and very intelligent. Contrary to popular belief, you are a thinking, caring, loving being. Unfortunately as a product of human intervention you are bred into captivity and relocated to a local pet store. The humans that imprison you are several hundred times larger than you and compared to you are very hideous looking creatures. They have no feathers or wings and all of their exposed skin is bare. All you know about them is what you can see when they pass by the cage or look at you through the glass of the pet shop window. You really don't know why you are here in this cage or the reason you are on display. Time passes and you see your friends keep disappearing one by one, as the humans take them away. Where are they going? What happens to them once they are taken away? You talk to your budgie friends, who you have been with you, for what would be equal to about two human years. They don't know either. Each day passes with you not knowing who's going to be next.
