RUBY

Our Ruby girl is sick. Really sick. Last night the kids called for me because Ruby was making a crying noise that sounded a bit like a dog crying. They thought she had learned a new trick and was imitating one of the dogs. Knowing Ruby, I knew that something must be wrong because she usually stays silent if you're in the same room with her. Ruby does all her talking and performing when she doesn't think anyone is around. One of her best tricks is when she whistles If I only had a brain taught to her by Jeff and also, her imitation of a Nextel pager. I noticed that she hadn't eaten any of her food and she just looked tired. We were able to get a hold of vet and she thought it sounded like an upper respiratory infection and said to make an appointment first thing in the morning.

Ruby is not the sweet cuddly type, but what she lacks in that department she makes up for in personality. Her favorite human without a doubt is Ian. Whenever Ian enters the room, she climbs down from her perch and rings her bell to say hello. Ian always talks to Ruby and brings his toys to show her. She loves the attention and is most thrilled if he shows her something that makes noise....The louder the better!

I hardly slept last night thinking I would find her dead this morning at the bottom of her cage. When I checked on her this morning she was in about the same shape she was in last night. When Ian came in to see her this morning, she came up to the bars of the cage and started her pitiful cry again....The same one from last night. It was almost if she was telling him she was sick. It just broke my heart.

I took her to the vet this morning and he said she is really sick. He is said she has an infection going on, but is also quite concerned how thin she is. He said he wants to keep her for a few days, but it's very possible that she isn't going to make it. When we acquired Ruby from the pet store about 6 years ago her age was unknown. I'm not sure if the reason she is thin has something to do with her being an older bird?.....I just don't know. The vet is going to try and get some antibiotics down her and feed her with a tube. If she starts to get stronger then he is going to get a blood sample from her to check her kidney and lung function. I just fell apart in that vets today. I'm just not strong when it comes to this kind of thing. If you have some good thoughts you could send Ruby's way I would be so grateful. Ian will be crushed if we lose her. We all will.

UPDATE: The vet called and said that Ruby passed away.