Keep Laurie and Zazu Together: Donate Now

UPDATE from Laurie: Zazu's seizures became very severe and I had to put her to sleep.

With the money raised, I will pay off Zazu's crippling medical debt. In addition, in time I hope to adopt an unwanted therapy Cockatoo for mood disorder support group members.

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Hi, my name is Zazu. I am a companion parrot for Laurie, my mom. Laurie has been running support groups for people with Depression and Bipolar Disorder for 15 years. She listens to a lot of other people's painful life events, so she comes home to me and my 5 cat siblings, closes the door, and shuts out the world and all of it's stressors and loves on her family of feathered and furred friends.

First thing in the morning I always tell my mom, "Zazu is hungry, Zazu wants broccoli with ranch," and "Zazu watch Big Bird, Zazu loves Big Bird!" as she turns on my TV in my room to Sesame Street. I also really like Elmo, Elmo is a red, hairy monster. I like to sing the Barney "I Love You" song... I love you, you love me, we're best friends like friends should be, with a great big hug and a kiss from you to me... I also like to sing "Bah Bah Black Sheep, Yes Sir Yes Sir."

Mom even says I'm totally potty trained. But every time she takes me from my room to the front room, she runs out saying "No, no, no! No poop-poop on Laurie!" And guess what? I poop on her every time. And laugh. Mom says I'm a really funny birdy. I have a real sense of humor, I'm always chasing and biting my feline siblings. I like to hear them scream, they're terrified of me... Guess who rules the house? Me. Mom even spends 4-5 hours of 1:1 time with me per day, so I am very much her baby. I even have the intelligence of a 5 year-old child.

Did you know that parrots have a speech center in their brain, so we not only mimic language, but we truly understand what we're saying? I understand and use all words in context. When Mom tells me she loves me, I put my little head down, and rub it against her cheek, to be kissed.

For the past month and a half I have had daily seizures, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis, a condition very common in African Grey parrots. I currently take 5 different scheduled medications that Mom has to give me at midnight, 4am, 6am and all throughout the day. Because my mom Laurie has to take care of me around the clock, she has attended no groups or medical appointments of her own. She is unable to leave the house to shop, and has only left home to pick up my medication, when someone is home with me. My seizures are so violent that my cage is required to have padding on the floor and bars because I injure myself when seizing, and bleed heavily, until Laurie comes to comfort me. My mom Laurie will wake up at the drop of a pin, especially if she hears my wings flapping, and comes running to my room to help me. My seizures only last a couple of minutes but my mom Laurie holds me and comforts me for hours.

Even though I am very intelligent I don't understand why my mom cries. Maybe it's because she told me about birdie heaven? I know what it means when she says, "Laurie go bye-bye." But I don't know what it means when she says, "Zazu go bye-bye."

Mom says she's working with Dr. Lindstrom to tailor and adjust my medications in hopes of finding the right combination to control my seizures. I don't know what a combination is, but mom says I take it like a champ!

Since I've been sick, mom has spent every penny she can scrape up by neglecting to pay property taxes, electric, gas, water, sewer, and cutting back on grocery bills. She has truly put me first. Despite this hardship, I know she will continue to put me first because Laurie loves Zazu. She tells me all the time.

Veterinary bills have totaled up to $3,500 due to two hospitalizations, including procedures and medications.

Please don't let finances separate a mother and bird's love, give what you can and include us in your prayers.

As a person who struggles with Bipolar Disorder myself, I can say from experience, that I cannot live without my sweet companion, Zazu. When faced with an unexpected housefire 25 years ago, I lost my very first parrot, named Auggie, and spiraled into a severe depression and grieved his tragic passing for 3 years until I found Zazu. Despite these episodes of seizures Zazu remains the intelligent, happy, funny, lively, silly birdie she has always been. If her suffering becomes too great, though, I will be faced with making the difficult decision of euthanasia for my sweet companion, Zazu.

If there is nothing you can give monetarily, please include us in your prayers... Or if you'd want to talk bird or cat-things with Laurie personally, you can call her directly at [phone redacted].

Keep us in your thoughts, and have a very Blessed Day.

Thank You,

Zazu + Laurie XOXO