Our lovely and very dottie Doris sadly died on January 22nd. What a terrible couple of weeks it had been. She's never been a healthy girl, she sneezed from day one, only ever laid one egg but loved to nest and then she developed a larg lump that a couple of vets thought may be a tumour.
About a year ago she started having breathing difficulties and was put on antibiotics and anti-inflamatories. She was good for most of the time but if she ran anywhere she'd be exhausted and struggled to catch her breath.She was feeding well though and happy to be out and about with the other girls. She would keep herself busy and would spend time in the afternoon preening and sunbathing. Yes, Doris was a very content bird indeed.
A few weeks ago she took a turn for the worse and I took her to her usual vet. She was dosed up with medicine but it didn't seem to help. I had her in ICU under the stairs. A cage all to herself with the door open so she could come and go as she pleased but it meant I could keep an eye on her at night. If I heard her struggling to breathe I'd sit with her and make her comfortable.
Then on Sunday 15th she looked like she was on her last legs. I made an emergency call to a vet recommended to me by Polly's Godmother and made an appointment for the next day. All through the night I was willing her to be OK. "Stay with me just 8 more hours" I was saying to her at 1am. Then again at 5am "Just 4 more hours honey, stick with me, they'll make you better".
Anyway, a few days later on Sunday 22nd after The Kiwi and I had steadfastly administered her medicine with a syringe she really was in a bad way. Both of us knew it wasn't fair to keep her any longer. He said "Darling, we have to let her go, say goodbye to her now".
I clung on to her and kissed and cuddled her but knew it was time so I handed her over and let my poor hubby deal with her.
Strangely enough Helen stayed with her for much of her last week. Wherever Doris was, Helen would be snuggled up next to her. Doris had been lovely to Helen when we first got her. The rest of them would bully Helen and Joan but our Dottie clucked around them and made sure they were OK. After we lost Doris, Helen was very withdrawn. Wanted to sleep a lot and wasn't interested in food. After a few days though a bowl of porridge with sultanas and lots of special snuggles brought her round.
Those of you who had the pleasure of meeting Doris will know she was a fabulous character. She loved her food and could nest for Britain. Those of you who didn't get to meet her missed out on one of life's true mother hens. These phrases all come from somewhere and she is a absolute deserver of that title. 
