Information

Flap has a minion!

Iggy the Glacial Tanager

Flap
Legacy Name: Flap

The

Custom Nostalgic Lain
Owner:

north

Age: 9 years, 2 months, 2 weeks

Born: February 7th, 2015

Adopted: 7 years, 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Adopted: July 3rd, 2016

Pet Spotlight Winner
June 23rd, 2019

Statistics

Level: 1
Strength: 10
Defense: 12
Speed: 10
Health: 10
HP: 10/10
Intelligence: 0
Books Read: 0
Food Eaten: 0
Job: Unemployed

archie, the fischer's lovebird
and iggy, the indian ringneck.

Please note that the text below contains some mention of suicide, self harm and the passing of an animal. Read at your own discretion and stay safe ♥️

"Pets and therapy animals can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Interactions with animals can help people manage their long-term mental health conditions. A 2016 study explored the role of pets in the social networks of people managing a long-term mental health problem and found that pets provide a sense of security and routine that provided emotional and social support. Studies have also shown that pets are facilitators of getting to know people, friendship formation and social support networks." ( reference. )

how i met my boys ...

Some time in 2012 I was diagnosed with clinical depression and was struggling every day with thoughts of self harm and suicide. I was always a big animal person, owning many different pets over the years but I always had an interest in birds, despite never having had one before. On a trip to the mall, I visited the pet store as I usually would and saw the most beautiful bird, a small rainbow coloured lovebird. I knew instantly that this bird was meant for me but went home and discussed the idea with my parents. The following day, the first Sunday of September, I went back to the pet store with my dad and purchased the lovebird. I named him Archie and despite him not being tame, I loved him more than anything. He was always happy and joyous, everything that I wasn't at that point in my life. Many times I felt like ending it all, but I only had to look at him and know that I had to stay for him. He was what was keeping me alive. Archie loved to be outside, loved to talk to all the other native birds, bathe in his water bowl and do happy flips in his cage. My family and I went on several roadtrips and Archie always came with us. He was a well traveled bird, always calm and happy to be alive and loved.

In late 2014, after two years of having Archie, I decided I wanted another bird but one that was tame and hand-raised. I had tried to tame Archie myself but he preferred to be left alone for the most part, happy to spend time in his cage and comfortable with me sitting near him. After some searching, I found a local breeder selling hand-raised indian ringneck parrots. The breeder had two currently available and so I went to visit him. He had a blue male and an albino female, both less than nine weeks old and just learning to fly. Within seconds I knew that I had a bond with the blue male and I agreed to a deposit. The male wasn't yet old enough to come home with me, but on the 8th of December 2014, I brought him home. I named him Iggy and I continued to hand feed him his baby formula for some weeks before slowly introducing solid foods. He very quickly grew into a beautiful young boy full of cheekiness and curiosity.

my journey continues ...

After loving Archie for more than 6 years, he battled an illness for 3 months before passing on January 27th 2019. You did so much for me, my precious boy, and I will continue to love you. I know you're happy now, as you always were up until the end, and you'll be watching over me and Iggy. As of writing this, Iggy is just over four years old and is the most precious thing in the world to me. He continues to inspire, comfort, amuse and love me with the entirety of his small being. It continues to amaze me every day that he is such a blessing in my life and that he trusts me so completely.

Birds are probably an unconventional emotional support animal but both of my boys have done so much for me and I am truly thankful for the impact Archie has had on my life. I am fortunate that depression no longer has a lingering hold on me but there is no way I could have done it without my boys. I hope that you, reading this now, have someone human or animal that is there for you like Iggy and Archie have been for me. And know that it will get better ♥️