The first time I saw Merlouille was a very ordinary Summer day. It was hot and the sky was silky blue. My boyfriend Christophe and I had decided to go to the swimming pool that day. `It would definitely be the perfect day for a good swim' we thought. After we came out, some two hours later, my friend Arielle who is working at the swimming pool, called me. She had made a box for a small bird she had found outside. There she was, tiny and almost naked, just a thin down on her wings. The head was barely covered with some gray down. Here and there, you could see the pink flesh of the bird's head. She was so lovely ! Arielle told me she could not take care of the baby because of her job. As I was practically working at home every day at that time, I said I would take her. And that's the way a big love story began. I would never have thought I would be so happy with the bird. |
She, who seems to be a He in the end, has been living at my place for almost two years now. Three months ago, we celebrated our second Christmas together and it was great helping him open his present. You should have seen him open it last year. It was so funny and so moving at the same time. I cannot explain how much I love my bird. He is my everything, my comfort when I feel bad and my company when I am happy. He shares just everything with me, he is part of the family more than ever. |
MERLOUILLE, MY WONDERFUL LOVE. |
We had some very good times together but also shared awfully sad experiences like the death of my Alsatian, Clark. Without his help, I don't know if I could have managed to feel better. It will certainly sound strange to those who don't like animals but I love my animals without any condition. They are my universe and Clark used to be mine. We lived together for Eleven years and as I had to let him go, I was desperate. He was such a good dog. Those who have lost an animal they loved will certainly understand my feelings. As the vet told us about his death, I thought my world would crumble down, my heart just stopped pounding. I could not help crying. You should have seen Merlouille. He immediately saw that something was wrong and flew to me. There on my shoulder, he bent towards me and looked at me intensely. At last, he began to play with my hair as if saying: "Come on, everything's going to be all right. You'll feel better soon". He was a real comfort to me. A comfort without human words but so much more. Silence is gold... |
The other sad time was his departure from my place. On a wonderful sunny day, he decided to go for a long trip and...a long time. As I did not see him come back, my heart was so aching that I had to make real great efforts to go on with my ordinary life. I felt so empty inside. Not only had I lost my Alsatian, but now also my Starling. I thought I was going mad with sorrow. So you will easily understand my happiness two months and a half later when my Godmother phoned to tell me that her neighbour had a bird looking like mine. And indeed, it was my bird. On our way home, I could scarcely drive. I was so excited and happy about his return home. Since then, we have not been often separated. Of course, I have to go to work but I spend most of my leisure time with him. And believe me or not, it is no sacrifice to me... I like sharing my meals with him and also love playing, dancing, singing and speaking with him. And in the evening, I love having him nestled in my neck. His presence feels warm and reassuring. I just LOVE him. |
Some months ago, I decided to write about my love story with Merlouille. I hope it will be published one day. Who knows ? And then, I hope everyone, you included, will have the opportunity to read it. All my love, Anne P.S. His name comes from a mixing between the French word "Merle" { I thought her to be a blackbird } and the French word "Fripouille" { devil, rogue } and "bouille" { familiar word for face }. |
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