Tears for missing feathered friend
A missing cockatiel has left a huge void in the hearts of a Farrarmere family.
Anton van der Merwe (42) and his brother, Chris (31), have been searching desperately for Barbie, who they acquired about a year ago.
The bird went missing at around noon on Monday (March 28), at a property on Wilge Road.
It was in the lounge and made its way out of the house.
Although the bird’s wings aren’t clipped, Anton said Barbie cannot fly long distances and normally gets around by walking.
The family suspect she is seeking refuge in a nearby home, as she thrives on human interaction and is extremely tame.
Since Barbie’s disappearance, the brothers and their parents have gone to extreme measures to locate her.
They have burnt a recording of the bird’s chirp on a CD and played it at home and in their vehicle.
The van der Merwes have been driving around the neighbourhood in the hope of luring her to them.
They have also visited the Benoni SPCA twice a day.
“He [Chris] wakes up every two hours and whistles and searches for the bird; it’s terrible,” said Anton.
Anton is also heartbroken.
“You know you are getting attached to the bird, but when it’s gone it hits you,” he said.
“We are still all crying.”
When asked how he is coping with the loss, Chris said: “It feels like it is getting harder ever hour.
“I feel weird, because I never though I’d be this sad.
“People look at me funny when I get emotional, because they say it’s just a bird.”
Chris has built a strong bond with Barbie, and places her on his desk at night where the two eat their dinners alongside each other.
Chris is offering a reward of R500.
He said he would offer R5 000, if he could afford it.
If you know Barbie’s whereabouts, contact Chris on 076 965 1156, or Anton on 082 782 1907.
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