The PDD Memorial Quilt

I found my precious Boo Boo in a pet store in Houston in the spring of 1997. The first bird who had ever owned me he took my heart right away. I "parrot proofed" Boo Boo's residence as much as possible and allowed him — and the young Hahn's macaw I got from a breeder five years ago to be his companion — to be fully flighted.

They had a lovely room with a big window with perches overlooking the trees and river and they seemed to really love it as Jenday Boo Boo would fly to the window perch to peek out and Martian the Hahns would follow so that they could scream at any other birds that they might see outside.

Jenday conures are very curious, territorial, intelligent, and snuggly. He sometimes slept with me under the covers and if I would put him to his cage so that he could sleep better he would often whine until I would again come and put him under my shirt. He would hide in clothing drawers and peep for me to come find him, one of his favorite games. And he was never in the same drawer, smart kid.

I treasured him and most of my living and working decisions were made based on how they would affect Boo. I am a computer engineer by trade and was married to an attorney for almost two decades and have raised a son who is now a writer. But the profession of that little, feather preener, stealth flyer, human-redhead-female lover, peek-a-booer guy that was taken from me very fast by PDD last Wednesday was that of captain, captain of my heart. He is intensely missed and he will never be forgotten. I love you, Boo Boo, and Martian misses you.