Gilroy - Approximately 2006 to 2009

Gilroy passed away during the night just a couple of days before Christmas. He appeared to be eating and drinking fine. He and Luna will getting along better than ever. He was singing and chirping and appeared healthy.

I found him during the night, and Luna was nearby.

Since then Luna appears fine and is singing and eating and drinking. She does appear kind of worn. Her age should be around 12 years old. She had a band on her when I adopted her in 2000 from the Peninsula Humane Society that said her birthdate was in 1998. I am not sure if I am going to get her a new friend. I wouldn't want the bird to be alone soon after he arrived. I might wait to get a bonded pair at another time.

This is from Chris, who took care of Gilroy and Luna for me from May 2009 to September 2009.

"So sorry to hear about Gilroy, I know you did everything you could. I am glad to hear he was happy and singing right up until the very end :-) They were a pleasure to watch and listen to... Hope everything else is going well and that you're re-uniting pets and people everywhere :-)

Gilroy was blessed to have you as a mommy. He's probably telling all his angel birdie friends about you now..."

Another Surgery for Gilroy

November 2009 - Gilroy broke his beak, or what was left of it. I rushed him to Boulevard Pet Hospital, and the doctor took a look at him. He sniped off the remaining beak and said that Gilroy should be able to eat fine without the beak. He said that I could grind up his food and treats in a coffee grinder and offer that to him in his dish. We tried that while in the office and Gilroy obviously was very hungry. He ate voraciously at the powder.

I picked up a coffee grinder at Target and grinded his pellets and Avi Cakes all together and offered that to him. He has been eating normally since then.

I also got them a new wooden perch stand that is sold in the reptile section. They like to rip it apart and then stand on it.

Two weeks later he is eating and acting well. I don't know if his beak will grow back. I look at it each day.

Gilroy and Luna Back Home!

Two weeks agao Gilroy and Luna came back home after be expertly being cared for by Chris and Dean in San Carlos.

Gilroy had another surgery on his beak, which pre-empted the return home. I decided to keep them here rather than return them to the Chris and Dean. There is temporary room in my new place until the expansion is built.

I am glad to have them back, and so is Mercury!

Gilroy's Beak

Gilroy has had two beak operations performed fantastically by Boulevard Pet Hospital in Castro Valley. He has some type of reoccuring cell mutation that causes small growths. Through the use of laser surgery, they have been expertly removed. However, I have been cautioned that it could continue to come back. Each time the growth is removed and the cells are removed that seem to cause it. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

So far, he is having no problems with eating or drinking. His energy is fine and he appears normal, except for only having half a beak.

Yes indeed!

Luna and Gilroy seem very happy here in San Carlos. They are enjoying my husband's eclectic taste in music and they love spending time on the front deck under the awning. Joining in with the neighborhood songbirds seems to be one of their favorite pastimes. I love watching them groom each other and all the body language they use when communicating. I have never had birds before, so they're very mysterious to me...

Chris

Luna and Gilroy in their New Temporary Home!

I finally made the trip up to Trinity County about one month ago to pick up Luna and Gilroy from my friend, Jean, who has been caring for them since the beginning of February.

When I saw them for the first time, they looked great. Gilroy did have a small bump on his beak. Jean said it had just showed up that morning. We stayed at a campground that evening and then made the seven hour drive back home the next day.

I email Chris to let her know that I wouldn't be able to bring the birds by because I needed to take Gilroy to a vet to have him checked out.

I called a local bird vet and made an appointment for them to see Gilroy that Saturday morning. The doctor at Blvd Pet Hospital in Castro Valley looked at him and he said that the tumor would have to be removed. They scheduled the surgery that afternoon. Since they closed that day at noon, Gilroy would have to stay until Monday.

I picked him up that morning. He had to have half his beak removed to hopefully get all the tumor cells. He appears to be eating and drinking fine.

I had to go to San Diego that next week for work, so I scheduled with Chris to bring him back on Friday, June 12. So far they are doing great.

Various Pictures