Little Bird Says Goodbye To Her Best Friend With A Kiss

Lucky Lou and Coco have been friends ever since they found each other at a refuge for unwanted birds in Vancouver, Canada. Each of them had been passed around from home to home after people realized how much work a pet parrot really is.

After the refuge went under, the two friends were rescued together by Danita Morrison, a bird lover who runs the online shop Things for Wings and the parrot owner help forum Avian Avenue. Morrison watched this special friendship flourish — all the way to the end.

Lucky Lou had lung cancer. Morrison often had to take Lucky Lou to the bird hospital for special care. But Coco would cry, especially at night, when her friend wasn’t there, so Morrison learned that Coco needed to go visit her friend frequently when she was away.

Eventually, Morrison got supplies to care for Lucky Lou at home so the friends could be together all the time. Coco kept watch over her all through her treatment.

But finally, Lucky Lou’s little body couldn’t survive any longer. And it was time to say goodbye.

Last week, after months of tender care and comfort, Coco slowly approached her friend’s body, wrapped up in a blanket with a sprig of flowers.

Coco stood there looking over her friend for a long time.

Then she looked up at Morrison as if trying to understand. “It’s OK, honey,” Morrison told her.

Finally, Coco leaned down as if to kiss her friend’s motionless face.

“Watching Coco say goodbye to Lucky Lou reaffirmed my belief that animals feel deeply,” Morrison told The Dodo. “I am thankful and honored that I was able to witness the tender goodbye between two friends who found comfort and safety in my home. I will never forget it.”

Even though Lucky Lou is gone, Morrison says her story isn’t over. “It’s just beginning,” she said. “Coco and I will move forward and start a legacy in her name.”

RIP, Lucky Lou. You will be missed.