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Chopper's Story
One Sunday afternoon, on a day
like any other, I began to cook dinner. Little did I know that my life was
going to become a living nightmare in just a few minutes. Dinner time is
when Chopper, my Quaker and I spend a little one on one time
together, but this day, when I went into to get him off his perch, he wasn't
there! At first I wasn't concerned, even though the door was open and his
wings weren't clipped, because Chopper had never flown before. I started
looking every where, calling "Chopper, Chopper"! You can't imagine my panic
when he didn't answer. Long story short, he was no where to be found! I
could only speculate that he had climbed down and walked outside looking for
me. Surly he's in the yard, I thought as I began calling, no answer,
nothing! Frantically I began to search the neighborhood, no luck! I spent
that night in prayer, tears and total disbelief.
In the morning, I knew I had to
face the truth, my "Chopper" was gone! It was time to start doing
everything I could think of to get my bird back. I started with moving his
cage to the roof, where it could be seen through the trees. Next I put
posters up all over the neighborhood, including Circle K's, ATM's,
Groceries Stores, Phone Booths, Parking lots, Bulletin boards, ATM's etc.
Everywhere I could think of! I made sure the words, LOST BIRD,
REWARD and PHONE # were as large as possible, (not to be
mistaken for Lost Dog ). I put an ad in the Republic. I walked the
neighborhood morning and evening, calling to my Chopper. Every few days I
put up more signs and replaced ones that were missing. Each time I increased
the perimeter around my neighborhood. Most important, above all else, I
prayed! Day and night I prayed. I was able to find strength and peace
in knowing that God knew exactly where Chopper was, even though I didn't.
Finally after 15 long and lonely days, I got the call I had been praying
for! Chopper had been found! The caller had found him several days
earlier. My Bird, who would never let anyone hold him, except me, had flown
right down to a stranger! A friend of the caller had seen a flyer. It was
one I had just put up the day before at a Flea Mart Parking lot!
I hope that this story will
encourage others. Don't give up! Keep on looking even when it
seems hopeless. Remember, #1- Your bird will be looking for home as
long as he's loose, so make it easy for him to find you. PUT HIS CAGE
OUTSIDE. Use any kind of sight or sound he might recognize. #2-
Your bird will eventually go to someone else, even if he never would before,
so be sure you continue putting up flyers and continue running an ad every
weekend ($10 for 4 days). Keep watching the Found ads in all newspapers,
(have friends help) Keep replacing your posters and expanding the area you
cover. Chopper was found over a mile away.
Please DON'T GIVE UP!
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C. Polega, "Chopper's"
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