R*I*P Tuffy

It’s going to be really hard to figure out a great way to tell the tale of Tuffy, considering she was always trying to chew it off. Thats a inside joke, pardon the pun. My Mother "Diane" adopted Tuffy from Oliga Harrington, Tuffy’s mother and long time friend. Oliga raised Tuffy from a baby and formed a kindred friendship that lasted nineteen years until unfortunately Oliga fell victim to stroke and was unable to care for Tuffy. Diane who at this time was an employer of Oliga’s daughter, heard about Tuffy and her 2 feathered friends tragedy and decided to take them into her home as her friend and also part as part of her flock. Without going into too much detail about my moms history with animals and her compassion for them, it wouldn’t take much for her to give these feathered friends a new home and the same compassion they received from their past life and owner. The great thing about this story is they got just that! Plus more... My mom and Tuffy became great friends and a team, right from the start. I remember when Diane first got Tuffy, it reminded me of a mother with a new born baby. Tuffy would nestle her face in my moms neck and never wanted to leave her side. Every morning my mom would wake up with Tuffy right by her side. My mother would get up in the morning and make the birds a breakfast only a mother could make. I used to joke around that Tuffy would eat better then half the people I know.

As the years went on Tuffy and her flock became closer and closer with Diane and their flock grew bigger and bigger. The love that Tuffy, Diane and the rest of the flock had stood the test of time and also opened up a new, safe and friendly world for many other cockatoo and birds alike. Tuffy was a major corner stone of 2^nd Chance aviary and was the inspiration for the the bird mutilation collar Diane invented that has helped so many birds all over the world! In 1999 Tuffy inherited a trait many Cockatoo fall victim to "bird mutilation", A behavioural problem that some birds unfortunately experience. But looking on the bright side of this and the unfortunate tragedy, it has saved so much pain for other birds and bird owners alike. I’m sure Tuffy wouldn’t have changed a thing that happened to her life if she new all the love and great things she has brought to Diane and this world. I’m sorry to say Tuffy passed away from cancer on 02/09/09. My deepest sympathies go out to Diane and the rest of the flock. We are all sad to see her go. But looking on the bright side of things, Tuffy opened up the doors for all the rest of her friends at 2^nd chance aviary. She will be missed but never ever forgotten. I’m sure Tuffy is flying high above 2^nd chance aviary right now watching over Diane and the flock..

R.I.P Tuffy