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I got some pretty sad news today. Dan and Mary lost Sebastian last Friday. Dan and Mary are my brother and sister-in-law and live in New Jersey. They are two of the sweetest, kindest, most considerate people I know, relatives notwithstanding. Sebastian is their Cockatiel, and I have never seen a bird that had so much personality and who was so loved. When Panther and I visited them last fall, before and after our time on “The Trail” (this, of course, is how we insiders refer to The Appalachian Trail) we got to see little Sebastian in action, and there was plenty to see. He spent most of the day out of his cage. There is a stair railing that was his particular domain, and it was generously draped with towels, both on and below the railing, as birds are not easy to “house break.” Sebastian would perch on the railing or walk around on the floor underneath, but when he saw his “mom and dad”, he would fly to a shoulder to give little bird kisses and get his crest gently petted. Dan put him on my shoulder one time, but instead of bird kisses, all I got was bird poop! It seems I was not on par with his favorite people.
Sebastian liked to sit on Mary’s shoulder while she dried her hair, and when she turned the blow dryer on him, he preened and fluffed his feathers. She demonstrated this for us, and it was hilarious.
He also had very particular musical taste. When he liked the beat, he would dance, bobbing up and down. Dan tried a lot of songs to find one he liked so we could witness the dance, and soon we were all bobbing up and down like idiots trying to convince Sebastian to join in. Finally he found one he liked, and bobbed a little, but we were assured that usually his dancing was more enthusiastic.
He had a way of letting them know when it was time for bed, and would become progressively louder and more agitated until they gave up, turned out the lights and turned in.
Dan and Mary were always extremely careful when going in or out of the house, but last Friday, he somehow ducked out the open door before anyone could stop him. A three hour search and a door to door canvas had no results, nor did flyers posted about the neighborhood. Knowing how besotted I am with my little poodle Murphy, especially now that there are no kids in the house (or even in the same state), I can totally sympathize with their loss.
Tomorrow is Dan’s birthday, and Panther is with them in NJ now to help celebrate. I love you so much, my sweet brother, and hope you are able to have a good birthday. Sebastian was so fortunate to have you.

UltaMom

Little Sebastian on his towel-draped railing

Sebastian and Mary drying their “fur”