Adios Adelais, my friend

Fare thee well, feathered friend.

Together Adelais, my pet dove, and I came a long way in a few short months.

I gave him a last name: Featherpants (Mr.)

He learned to walk on the floor sometimes.

I learned to do spot cleaning under his favourite places to perch.

He learned to go into his cage all by himself at 7pm--so I never had to catch him again. I left the cage door open, and in the morning he'd come out again after his breakfast.

I learned to have a bird fly past me and never flinch.

He learned to laugh (then we nick-named him "Laughing Boy").

I learned to expect a variety of expressions.

He learned to "step up" on my finger.

I learned an incredible amount of information on doves.

He learned to hang out with me, and not just the wild birds.

I learned to enjoy bird company.

He learned the lay of the land in the house.

I learned to find him.

He learned that he was my flock.

And...

I learned to let him go.

All good things come to an end, and in the end the lady downstairs with MS was driven completely around the twist by Adelais' cooing. She started screaming, banging, complaining, called the city, called our landlady and had her serve me an eviction notice yesterday.

I called my friend (oh my blessed friend!) who came and got him. My landlady's happy. Working on where Mr. Featherpants belongs.

Adelais Featherpants: a good bird is hard to keep down.