How does one help but fall in love with a little guy like this ? I know I most assuredly can not. And thank goodness Les is as soft hearted as I am. For our home is about to be blessed with a new family member. Not feathered this time but a soft, cuddly, furry wee creature with eyes guaranteed to steal your heart. 

 Yes, I know we already have a houseful with Petey and his extended family but there is always a place for one more around here. There is definitely enough room in our hearts to welcome with open arms another of the tiny creatures who only want to be loved. They ask for so little ... and they give so much.

 We hadn't planned this. We thought our family was complete just as it was. Until an old and dear friend suggested that he would very much like to give us a tiny shih tzu puppy. At first I said no way. And then I saw the pictures of the parents of the about to be born puppies. They had me in an instant. Now we are awaiting the arrival of the babies at which time we are to have the privilege of selecting  the puppy of our choice. To say I am looking forward to it would be an understatement. In fact we have already picked out the name for our new family member. We don't even know at this point whether we will have a girl or a boy but we do know that the name is going to be " Tuffy". Somehow it just seems appropriate. Don't ask me why or how we came up with that name. It just  popped into our heads when we were first talking about the puppy and after seeing the pictures the name just seemed like the right one. So "Tuffy" it will be.

It's absolutely true that no one can replace Petey but perhaps Tuffy will help to fill the void that will be felt around here when Petey leaves us. He is getting old and is not well and, although it breaks my heart to even contemplate this home without our little guy around, the reality is that these past months we have seen Petey visibly failing. He is almost completely blind now and therefore feels safest in his cage as he has difficulty when he attempts to fly. He is mostly silent these days and very seldom do we hear the happy sound of Petey singing. I do miss our lively and feisty Petey so very much. He does not appear to be suffering, still eats well most days, and still loves to have me near but we do keep a watchful eye on him at all times lest he encounter any difficulty which might require our assistance. The one thing that really is important to me is that Petey not be in any pain or suffer. He deserves a peaceful and comfortable old age. It is very little to ask after all the years of happiness he has given us. My one consolation is that I know  beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has had a wonderful life. Our Petey has never been confined to his cage since the very early days. He has always had  the freedom to come and go as he liked so long as one of us was near to keep an eye on him to be sure he didn't encounter any problem as he flew around our home. He always spent a lot of time just lying on his front porch (a feature which Les created for him in the doorway of his cage) and would take off for a fly around the house when he felt like it, returning to his cage when he felt the need for nourishment or a rest.

 A day doesn't pass without his romaine lettuce hearts or his hard boiled egg yolk to supplement his diet, he has always shared Les' breakfast toast and frequently joins us at the evening meal to sample people food in tiny quantities. He has a good housekeeper and she sees that his cage is cleaned each morning after he has had his morning swim in his bathtub. He has raised several children with Pixie's help, has been a superb Daddy, and is now a Grandpa. All in all, our Petey has lived his life to the full , perfectly content and happy with his humans always letting us know quite clearly that he knew we were his family and that he trusted us implicitly. Why, he even has always spent a lot of time resting on my shoulder and bestowing kisses on me as a means of letting me know he kinda liked having me around. I do think he knows the feeling is reciprocated.

 All things taken into account,I believe Petey has lived a very happy life all these years and although these last months may carry with them sadness and apprehension for us and I'm sure some confusion for Petey, this exceptional and very smart wee sweetheart ... for Petey is far from the norm when it comes to canaries and has a personality which has always been quite amazing and unique for a canary, will know he is very much loved every second of that time.

When the inevitable time comes that he must leave us, as we know it will, it will not be an easy time and I know I shall miss him terribly but we shall cherish  his memory always. We have already decided that his son Buffy and his grandson Buddy will keep his memory alive in the years to come. Buffy because he is so like Petey in personality and Buddy because he looks very much like his Grandpa. The other kids will be going to new homes in the weeks to come but those two will be staying right here. There will be no effort to replace Petey. He is, quite simply, irreplaceable.

 And that is why Tuffy will be so welcome. He will help to lessen the sadness and although he won't perch on my shoulder and give me kisses I am told the likelihood is that he .. or she .. will find my lap quite inviting. Tuffy won't ever replace Petey in my heart but I suspect will find a place there all his/her own. I believe Petey will very much like that.

 I know  to most it might seem strange that a tiny little canary can be such a precious part of our lives but Petey has never been ordinary. From the instant I first laid eyes on him he owned me.  There was just something about him which told me he was much more than just a bird. And I was right. Many have been quite amazed at  how different Petey has always been. Most canaries are really not particularly affectionate  but Petey proved to be the exception to the rule. From very early on he has always loved to be close to us. Either on our arms or shoulders and from time to time gently nibbling a cheek or a finger. Even at times nibbling a lower lip. How many canaries do you know who will communicate  their wishes by singing to you until you understand they are asking for their lettuce, or their cage cover because they want to go to bed, or after being covered, to remind you that the light is still on, and even break into song at midnight if you happen to disturb their sleep ? Petey has even been known to start singing in a completely dark room if the TV happened to be too loud in the next room ... and to stop the instant it was turned down to a tolerable level. The few times we have forgotten and this has happened we have found it hilarious that this adorable little guy was  actually scolding us ! After all, we know that Petey can't sleep if there is too much noise or the light is still on, even if he has his cover and wants to tuck his head and settle down for the night.

 Petey's communication skills have often amazed me. One instance in particular comes to mind. Way back when he was feeding and training the very first babies there was one morning when I was a little careless.  I was busily cleaning the cages and  neglected to close the cage door on the cage in which Petey and the babies were living. In my defence we seldom closed Petey's door and the babies were far too young to venture out of the safety of the cage ( or so I thought !) Suddenly Petey let out this god awful screech and  zoomed out of his cage and into the living room. I ran in to see what was going on as he was still screeching at the top of his lungs, and there was Petey ... standing on the carpet only an inch away from one of the babies ! He was looking up at me and chattering away as he snuggled right up to the baby. It was so obvious that even a blockhead could have understood his message. He was telling me that the baby was in danger and was far too young to be out there. I picked up the baby and with Petey now perched on my shoulder quickly returned the baby to the safety of the cage, at which point Petey jumped off my shoulder, re-entered the cage, and proceeded to give that youngster a scolding which went on for several minutes. Needless to say .. baby did not try that again !

 So many memories ... and so many times  this precious little being has shown just how much he loved his life. It really isn't surprising, think about it ... how many canaries get to control an entire household ? As any visitor quickly sees  when visiting this site, Petey even  exerts his influence on much of the content and has done almost since day one of its existence. Very early on I bestowed the title of site foreman on him and  I very much suspect he has made more new friends than I have through the years our site has been on line.

 I could go on and on but I'm sure by now you know how much I am  dreading the day when Petey leaves us. I am not even sure just how I will cope with that day but perhaps a furry little creature to cuddle  as I mourn will  make the time easier to bear. Tuffy will have a very large shadow to dispel but time does heal most things and with Tuffy's help we will get by I suspect. As I said, there is always love  for God's creatures in our home and  I know Petey would want us to make Tuffy welcome . I only hope Petey is here to meet Tuffy. It would be nice to have Petey's seal of approval.