On Saturday night, I found Jazz at the bottom of his cage, unable to perch and with no use of his left foot. I had to wait, until Monday (Today), to take him to the avian vet, because they were closed on Sunday and it was late on Saturday night. No avian vets on call. There were a couple of vets that said they would look at him, but they knew nothing about birds. The head avian vet examined him today and explained that Jazz was eating fine, but that a tumor was most likely consuming all of the good stuff, causing him to lose weight. He had no use of his left foot, because a tumor was probably pressing on the nerve. The avian vet diagnosed him with testicular cancer. :'( Our options were to do more testing and attempt to treat him, causing him more stress, let him come home, or put him to sleep. Before anything, I asked if Jazz was in pain. The avian vet said he was, most likely. So, I made the decision to put him to sleep. I signed. I held him and said good-bye and told him I loved him very much and that he was a good boy. I told him that he'd finally be able to fly and that he wouldn't be sick anymore where he was going. I asked the vet if I could have done anything different. The vet said that it was probably just bad luck, since Jazz at his veggies and was a healthy, happy boy. I keep asking myself crazy questions. Was his cage clean enough? Could he have eaten healthier? Did I give him enough attention?

I miss my Jazzy Boy...he will be missed so much and always remembered. Although his life was short, I hope he was happy with his time here with me. Rest in Peace, my Jazzy boy, my beautiful, beautiful parakeet...

Dear Jessica
I read your post and had to write since the same thing happened to my Skittles. He didn't develop the tumor until he was five or so and the vet said the same thing about there was nothing I could do. He said they couldn't operate because the birds didn't usually make it. I ended up taking him home and he lasted a good while because I got CeeCee and that seemed to revive him for a while and he was still flying and chirping. One day he wasn't moving much at the bottom of his cage and the next he passed. I really miss him and I am so sorry about your jazz. But it's not your fault! He had a good life.

Jessica I am so sorry for the loss of Jazzy. I know how much you loved him and you DID take good care of him. Maybe God needed a special parakeet in heaven....he did have a good life and I know you will miss him very much....again I am so sorry

Do not second guess yourself, you did nothing wrong. Sometimes despite all our efforts things just do not work out. Fly High Little Man

I'm really sorry for your loss.

I know how it feels. I lost my parakeet, Ursula, to cancer. We noticed she had been sleeping a lot lately. More than normal. She ate everyday and demanded new food when it was needed but she rarely played like she used to. My Mom and I got worried and so when we made and appointment to get her and Sora's nails clipped, our vet checked her out since I explained she could possibly be sick. He took a look at her and noticed some kind of growth on her underside and at first I thought maybe it was just poo that got stuck there but he said it was cancer. I broke down right there - it was the last thing I would have expected to be wrong with her. He told me I could either take her home and try to make the best of her last days or I could let her go. He gave me a few minutes to call my Mom to let her know what was going on and decide what to do. In the end we decided it was best to let her go and not let her live in pain like that. I ended up staying with her as they put her to sleep. It killed me knowing she had cancer but I'm happy she can see George and meet Jane (our other two parakeets we lost). It's never easy to lose a pet, especially when they become part of your family, but I'm happy she lived a good life.

Oh God Jess, I am so so sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved that little guy and you took such good care of him. You have to know it was NOT your fault. You did all the right things and loved him so much. He had a wonderful life with you. Some things are out if our hands.
You did the right thing Jess. Jazz is happy and flying free.

(((((HUGS))))

RIP Jazzy Boy
Fly high and fly free^^

I am so so sorry Jessica. I know Jazz was a very special little bird. He was so young too. Just not fair.

Very sorry about your loss Jessica. Fly free and fearless Jazz....

I feel so sorry for the loss of your beloved Jazz, Jessica, I'm sure you had already done your best to take care of him and that he had lived a happy life with you and your family.

"God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered "come to me". With tearful eyes I watched you....and saw you pass away. Although I loved you dearly, I would not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God...broke my heart to prove to me that HE only TAKES THE BEST!"

RIP, Jazz...

Beautiful Bebee

Thank you for all your kind words, everyone...I really appreicate it. We burried Jazz yesterday under a tree in the horse pasture next to my first parakket, Inochi. He looked as if he was sleeping before I wrapped him in some cloth and lay him to rest.

No more parakeets for me for a while...I have my Echo to think about right now, so I'll make her my top priority in the bird department.

I find myself whistling often and saying, "I'm a pretty budgie and a pretty bird." Saying all the things he used to say. His vocabulary was so big! He was truly a magnificent little bird. I miss you still, Jazzy.

Sorry for your loss Jessica.....
I just watched the video of Jazz you posted, he was such a happy keet.
RIP Jazz

Jess,
Illusive sends her sympathy condolences for your loss. She'll talk to you when she gets her comp back.

and so does Kimberly1985. She emailed me because she hasn't been able to log on in quite some time but has been reading the threads.She forgot her password and hasn't been able to reregister because something is wrong with email notifications from this site.

Thank you. I really appreciate it. I finally took apart Jazz's cage and put it away. It made me sad. It seems so empty without him. Echo is doing her best to cheer me up. She's been very, very snuggly the last few days and she wants to be right in the crook of my neck and rub her beak on me. I think she knows I'm sad.

awww I'm sure Echo DOES know you're sad Jess. And I would imagine Echo is sad and feeling the loss too. She's giving you hugs. That is soo sweet

Haha! Echo and Jazz weren't exactly friends, but she acknowledged him as the bird across the room. Lol! Dang, I miss him so much...I can't afford another bird right now, though. I will update on Echo from now on, even though she's not a parakeet. And, I will let everyone know if any new additions come into the flock. Thank you, again, for all your sympathy. I really, really, really appreciate it!

Well, even losing the bird across the room has got to have some effect. They may not have "hung out" together LOL but I bet they did communicate.

Keets or no keets you better stay with us! Who cares if Echo is a keet or not? We love her just the same