He just looks at me, his expression perfectly serene, as if he didn’t just vomit.
“Are you okay?” I ask again.
He just flies to the other side of the cage and perches there. Darn it. What’s going on? Should I call the vet? I’ve never seen him throw up before. I zip downstairs at lightspeed, almost breaking an ankle in the process, and grab Fergie’s folder from the drawer in the entryway. I dial the vet’s number, but a voicemail tells me they’re closed. They do provide a number in case of emergencies, but is this really an emergency? He didn’t look like he was choking or anything. Maybe I fed him something I shouldn’t have? Or he snuck a bit of my food when I wasn’t looking?
I race back upstairs—after drying my feet this time—and to my relief, he’s still alive. He calls my name as soon as I enter the room.
What should I do? I can’t ring Callum. He needs his rest, and he’s probably asleep anyway. I flip through the documents in my hand, and one sheet catches my eye. The page is sticking out slightly from the edge of Fergie’s health record booklet, the title peeking out in bold letters: “Need help? Ask us!” It’s a flyer from Fur-ever Homes UK, the refuge Fergie is from. They have an online forum where pet owners can chat with one another or ask questions. According to the flyer, there are even vets in the chat.
I hurry back to my room, grab my phone, and scan the QR code on the brochure. Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I enter Callum’s info and the password provided to access the chat room. It’s an ongoing chat, and scrolling up a bit, I see that pet owners are asking a lot of questions—some weirder than others—and are receiving help almost instantly. I immediately introduce myself and explain what just happened, praying someone will be available to help.
Turning off my screen, I hustle back toward the cage, my heart still racing. I really hope he’s okay. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to him.
“Cuddles?” I ask, and he flies to the perch beside me. At least he still wants cuddles, and he can fly. It can’t be too serious, right?
I’m scratching his little head when a notification pings on my phone. I unlock it right away.
@vet_evan
Did he eat anything out of the ordinary today?
I exhale sharply. A vet!
@callum&fergie
No, he had the usual: broccoli, courgette, apples, and pellets.
@vet_evan
No treats? Crackers? Seeds from a fruit?
@birdmom88
Poor thing! Was he alone in the house? My macaw once ate part of my shoelace, and I swear it looked like spaghetti coming back up.
@callum&fergie
No, just some walnuts earlier, but he always gets those. And I was with him the whole time. I really don’t think he ate something he shouldn’t have.
@cleoclaws
Not to bethatperson but… are you sure it wasn’t poop?
@snugglepaw7
Did it smell sour or rancid?
@vet_evan
Did he bob his head first? Kinda like… a little dance?
My heart jolts.
@callum&fergie
Yeah, actually!
@birdmom88
