Photos by: Sharon, Debbie & Dave Crimmen

This is RAFAEL a South American Blue Tailed Parrotlete. He's been a true blessing in mine and Sharon's life for the last 13 years and 9 months. The breader told Sharon the Parroltletes of his kind live to be 8 to 14 years old if they are well taken care of. It's sad to report that our little friend passed away Saturday morning Aug. 20th at about 8:10 A.M. Pacific time. He started feeling sick on Thursday Aug. 4th right before the show at Cupertino. I went to the gig and Sharon took him to the Vet. We fed him antibiotics for a couple of weeks and he bounced back a little but then took a turn and left this physical plain on the 20th right before we left for the Hayward show.

This photo was taken by Debbie in July while Sharon and I were in Utah. It almost looks as if he's smiling. Debbie reported that he was in good spirits. They were listening to K.F.R.C. 99.7 F.M. Oldies Radio (Rafael's Favorite). She said that he was doing his little dance on his pearch while listening to "Wild Thing" by the Troggs. Rafael truly was a Rockin' Bird!

The Baby Bird and his new home. These two photos (above) were taken by Sharon when she first got the little guy. If you look close, on the lower picture, you'll see the ring the breader put on Rafael's right foot. We don't know how he did it but, eventually, Rafael got the ring off of his foot. The breader couldn't figure out how he got it off either.

Rafeal was King of the Kitchen. When he wasn't in his cage he was on his pearch on the kitchen table. Rafael loved to play and show his love by doing crazy things like flying and sometimes he'd land on your......

Arm,

Head,

or your shoulder.

This was his favorite spot, at least on me. Rafael used to love to ride on my shoulder when I'd go downstairs to my office to work on the computer.

This one was taken by me the night before he passed away. The little guy was week and his vision was blurred. But, like all angels, still did his healing work by showing his love.

These last two photos were taken by Sharon, again, the night before Rafael left us. In the end, he was just wanting to be warm and safe. He would find little places to snuggle while we watched T.V.

Rafael was a true blessing. He showed Sharon and I how to Love and how to show Love. The morning he left, he flapped his wings a few times and then went still. It's as if he just flew out of his body. He was loved by all of us and will be missed. Good bye my little friend. We'll see you in a minute or two...in God's time :-)