DEVI MAYA
As
you know, or knew and may have forgotten, when we first began our transition
from adoption to sanctuary we started out as a sanctuary for Moluccan Cockatoos
(M2s). We made this decision because every Molly we had ever adopted out came
back to us. Some more than once. This is why the name Mollywood was developed
and adopted. The one M2 that was adopted out the most, and came back the most,
was Devi Maya. One of the sweetest birds in the world with a voice as big as the
heavens. Of course it was this voice that got her sent back to us. Devi’s last
adopters were a young couple, Kate and Yousef. They had two Umbrella Cockatoos
from us and everybody was happy. When they asked to adopt Devi we knew she had a
home forever, at least we thought so. These young folks were struggling in all
the ways couples do, and then some. In addition to the normal young couple stuff
they were also working hard to develop a viable business and income stream for
themselves that stood apart from the day-to-day. Their living and working space
was a shop in an industrial park. Where better to home a boisterous M2 than
someplace that had no other people in the early morning and evening hours. Alas,
it was not to be. The property owner’s son decided he too could live in one of
the units. Soon he was complaining about Devi and threatening to have the kids
thrown out. They too gave her back. They knew at the time that it was the
hardest choice they had ever made. They soon realized that it was also the worst
choice they could have made. They have missed her terribly ever since. Kate and
Yousef have remained dear friends through the years since then and have
maintained frequent correspondence with us. After some back and forth
communication, in mid January, they made the trek up to Washington to pick up
their beloved little girl. That was just about 3 weeks ago. Sadly, this past
Sunday, the joy of this family and flock reunited was cut short. Something
happened. Devi spooked, she flew, she landed wrong and hurt herself. She seemed
to be fine at first but soon crashed and died before the day was done. Kate and
Yousef are devastated. Sonny and Flaxy are depressed. All of Devi’s friends, old
and new, are grieving. Kate and Yousef don’t have any other “bird friends” where
they live in California. We’re probably their closest. So what we’re hoping is
that for all of you who have known Devi Maya, you might take a few minutes out
of your day to send them an email or put a card in the mail. They need support
right now as Betsy and I are about all they have.
We found Mollie at the San Jose Flea Market. A breeder was dumping her because she was no longer producing. $300. She never would trust our hands but was almost always willing to give a kiss. Yes, we trusted her that much.
Soon after coming home with us she introduced herself to "Big Syd" and they shacked up for a while. They had fun playing house in a big box we put outside their cage. This was in Sunnyvale. They got along well for about the first year up here until Syd got a hair across his butt and bit hers one day. She moved out, got her own place and started dating around.
This summer she moved out to the Moluccan condo. She soon had a handful of suitors that took care of her every need. At least they kept her warm at night. Really, she always had at least one, often one on each side, as the nights grew cooler. How many girls could be as lucky as she was? 5 boys and only 1 girl. She definitely wanted to keep it that way.
She was found on her back next to a log under one of the common roosting perches. Her eyes were closed. Her wings and feet were curled. She had some bite marks but no blood. We believe Doc, her main squeeze, tried to wake her. He still goes down and paces the log where we found her.
This picture is Mollie and two of her suitors. A girl walks around half naked she's bound to attract some attention. 
TIFFANY