Letting go

DDW December 2013 Challenge Day 4: A mystery

My Mum has kept African Grey parrots for years. She has a pair who have successfully bred many offspring and these have been hand reared by Mum before being sold on. She also has another pair which she has kept after rearing them as they were a bit wonky in the beak or foot. These two are called George (after my Grandfather) and tumble (that's the one with the wonky foot!). They mostly make a noise (smoke alarm is a definite favourite) but they also come out with amusing phrases. Whenever someone comes in they ask 'do you want a drink' which is an imitation of my late Pa.

Mum has struggled to look after her birds for the last couple of years and since breaking her hip last week, has finally agreed that they are too much for her to cope with.

I have the awful task of arranging for a parrot rescue charity to come and collect the birds whilst she is in hospital. She is heartbroken. On Sunday all four birds will be going on a mystery trip to start a new life. I hope they find someone who loves them as much as Mum does.

There is a small chink of happiness though, the bird in this blip will be staying to keep an eye on Mum. Her name is Pippin. Thankfully she doesn't imitate the smoke alarm.