RIP Hippo. I wish you were still on my shoulder. I am so sorry!

I was able to save him once, unfortunately I couldn't save him twice. A wild cat took him away from me on September 11 2008 right out of his cage when we were at the barn. I always left the cage door open as he never left his cage and I wanted him to feel somewhat free since sparrows are meant to be free. He was a good bird and never had a problem being left alone in his cage. I usually checked up on him every 5 minutes or so. He only went there to sleep (for the most part he was on my shoulder or in my jacket pocket when he was cold). On the fatal day I left for a few minutes to clean a stall and when I came back he was gone. I searched and called and never found him. He didn't even make a peep when he was taken away so it must have caught him by surprise as he was quite a noisy little guy. The next day (after he was taken) I saw a wild cat on the table where his cage was so I am 100% sure it was the wild cat who took him and then came back for more. Hippo lived with two cats and three dogs so he learned to be good with all animals and wasn't fearful of them at all. He was happy, healthy and super attached to me, as I him. I am devastated. I miss him so much. My eyes sting from crying so much :( I just wish I could have had him longer. Sometimes I hear him chirp still, other times I get up to feed him and then realise that I no longer need to feed him.
I love and miss you dear Hippo. xoxo

(edit: I didn't know if Hippo was a male or female as the adult feathers didn't come in before he was taken so I refer to him as 'he', however it could have very well been a 'she', either way I loved my Hippo)

And here is a little album to celebrate his little life. It wasn't long enough!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=161919&l=b5cab&id=711000084