“Tweety” the cockatiel died in 2007 and asked for his portrait when she won the "In Memory of Sassy" contest. They shared a special bond – not one of friends, but of siblings. Like most birds, Tweety had a fondness for only one person. When Sarah’s father asked to hold him, he’d talk in a voice Tweety didn’t like and he’d peck! So much like a person, Tweety loved to play hide-and-seek in drawers and in trees outside. He could make many noises and even say names, very rare for cockatiels! Tweety had lived to a ripe age of thirteen but he had escaped death several times in his life. On one occasion, Tweety was taken outside and got spooked. He flew into the neighbor’s yard and found the jaws of a dog. Luckily, the dog didn’t bite down and his grip was released. A second encounter involved a hurricane. Tweety’s cage was strangely set outside before the approach of a hurricane. When the outer bands of the storm hit suddenly, the cage was knocked over with its door opened by the force. Sarah and her mother searched frantically in the storm and winds to find Tweety and they found him still in his cage, huddled at the bottom and soaking wet. He was all the time stuck in trees and would call “Whoo!” when he needed help. The name he learned, Joshua, is Sarah’s brother but when Tweety wanted her he would call his name. They all thought the lucky bird was invincible until age got the best of him. The sudden and hard loss still haunts Sarah. Yet, shortly after Tweety’s death, she had a dream. In her dream Tweety was there and said, “I love you,” a phrase he had never learned to say in life. He said what he knew and felt and Tweety will live on in the family’s hearts forever.

“Tweety” 5x7” acrylic on canvas board. © Cara Bevan 2009

Thanks for suggesting this portrait =animalartist16! If you see anything wrong with his colors or pose I can change them.