Finnegan

The first real pet I ever had was Finnegan.  I think I was 15.  He was an awesome pet, especially for someone who would later go on to be Asthmatic.  Finnegan was a budgie, or some people call them parakeets. He would come out of his cage and sit on my finger.  What a great little guy he was!  He might take flight, but like his cousin the homing pigeon, he always came back to the finger.  The impact Finnegan had on my life was that he literally was the first pet I ever had responsibility to take care of fully and I did a horrible job.  Sure we had fish, Turtles and hamsters.  But Finnegan was the first pet I ever had that I was responsible for.  The impact is that I took his life.  It was Christy's high school graduation, and he was a little chirpy in the mornings (like most birds).  Half of my Alabama family had come up for Christy's graduation including Nana who had taken my bedroom.  So, Finnegan and his cage went to the bathroom.  I had to keep the cover on him so he did't freak out with all the action going on around him.  We had one full bath for the 10 or so people who were packed into our tiny townhouse.  I made sure before everyone came to put extra food in his containers in case things got out of hand.  he had tons of food.  What I forgot to check was his water.  Thus, after the dust had cleared, and everyone was gone, I found Finnegan on the bottom of his cage, feet in the air, gone.  I was devastated.  I couldn't believe that I did it.  I was mortified, ashamed.  Mom basically added to it by saying I was never allowed to have another pet while I was under her roof after she would never let me forget the fact that I had killed my pet.  I've forgiven myself for this.  But I will tell you one thing, I've never let another pet go unwatered.   RIP Finnegan.  You are still loved.