Tragedy

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It is with a broken heart that I tell you that dove Piper, cherished mate of Pierre, died last night at the Medical Center for Birds from complications with her recovery from surgery to correct her deformed legs.

She and Pierre both had surgery on 9/7 and Pierre has been doing very well. Piper, with two surgically broken legs needing to heal, was having more difficulty. I tempted her to eat with her favorite foods (safflower and millet), Drs. Speer & Fiztgerald cared for her on multiple recheck visits. And always, always- Pierre was at her side, a gentle and completely devoted mate, just as she had been for him when he was recovering from the painful correction to his femur.





But despite all the support and love and expertise, Piper's legs were not healing properly and in one spot her skin had split from the pressure of the repositioned bones within.












Piper was seeming to hold her own- eating, preening, appearing to convalesce semi-comfortably until this Saturday 9/25 when she could not seem to find a comfortable position. We already had a recheck visit scheduled which was good because I would have been taking her in as an emergency if not. Despite the pain meds, she was very unsettled and the only way I was able to somewhat relieve her was by cupping her on her back in my hand to take the weight off her legs. I drove to Oakley with Pierre in the carrier on the seat and Piper cupped in my hand.



Once there, it was decided that Piper would be admitted to stay so that she could get IV antibiotics and pain meds and aim for a second surgery later in the week.

I'm not sure why we decided that I would leave Piper there alone and bring Pierre home with me. We'd never done that before. They've always gone to the vet and stayed at the vet together. The staff at the Medical Center for Birds has been extremely supportive and indulgent with me on that. This time, our thought was something along the lines of simplifying care and minimizing complications for Piper with the backup plan that we would reunite them if they got depressed.

I wish I hadn't left Piper there alone. Even if it wouldn't have prevented her death, Pierre wanted to be with her and I know she wanted him there too. And I think Pierre would have gotten some closure from being there with her when she died.

Back home with Pierre after we left Piper at the vet, I knew he was missing her and have been giving him lots of one-on-one time, like I did when he first arrived and hadn't yet been blessed with Piper. He's been doing OK. His cast came off on Saturday and he was happy to be offered a bath for the first time in weeks. His leg is sore and he doesn't want to bear weight on it yet but it is in the right position and he's doing good. I'm heartsick that Piper isn't here to share his good fortune.



Piper unexpectedly died at the Medical Center for Birds sometime last night. Dr. Fitzgerald called me this morning. We are all devastated. Piper was loved by all. A necropsy is being performed.

Piper was an incredibly sweet soul. She was generous and patient with Pierre right from the first moment they met. She loved to explore and was always finding creative new places to investigate. She dearly and tenderly loved Pierre. This tragic loss of Piper will always be a bruise on my heart.

You can visit Piper's page here and read all about her life with her beloved Pierre here.

Thank you all for being friends and supporters of Piper, for appreciating her.

I'm so sorry.