Big Red Bike Tour Stage 6: Dino In Distress

2 September 2025

After a brief glimmer of hope, what should have turned into a routine check-up turned out to be a bit of a dire day on the Big Red Bike Tour with Dino taking a turn for the worse.

Our rosy faced lovebird had seemed to be picking up last night when she showed signs of once again being able to poop without assistance, a crucial development if she is to survive.

She was straining to excrete and tiny amounts were leaving. This was something we had been waiting weeks for, and were delighted. Doubly so as she appeared lively and healthy.

And then I may have made a fatal mistake. I had noticed Dino loves the warmth of my PC keyboard, so turned the heater on for her overnight.

When we opened her cage this morning, she was drained and listless. She had neither eaten nor drank.

In a way, falling ill was opportune as we had an appointment at the Yokohama Bird Clinic anyway. As my little mate and I do when we visit the hospital, we packed the Big Red bike pannier bags and headed along the Tsurumi River to go and see the vet. Dr. Ritsuko Kato was also taken aback by Dino’s listlessness. She attributed Dino’s weight loss to shedding feathers. She offered no advice on why Dino could have taken a turn for the worse (perhaps conscious of my hair trigger willingness to euthenize?). I didn’t think to let her know about my heater blunder.

Dino got a force feeding, cleaning, vitamin shot and new collar: ironically a Big Red one to replace the multicolored ruffles she has been wearing the past few weeks.

Dino took the 60km round trip by bicycle in 35-degree plus heat in her stride. When we got home in the early afternoon, she seemed to have become her old self as she jumped from PC to monitor and even took sips of the medicine-filled water she has fiercely avoided since her discharge a couple of weeks ago. But this flurry of activity lasted less than 10 minutes. She soon began sleeping and has not eaten or drunk again as the day draws to a close.

It has been a long and hard day for the little bird, and she has fought as hard as ever, typical of our little Dino-might! I am praying that today is just a one-off down day and she will perk up again tomorrow with a long sleep not hampered by excessive heat.

Dino got a Big Red ruffle, which at least felt to be on brand

I’m also nnearing the end of my tether. I see Dino’s struggles today and I want to put her out of her misery. It’s gut-wrenching to watch and not be able to alleviate her obvious pain. We have devoted ourselves to her care for months, especially Mrs. Kangaeroo, who since April has followed her grueling 16-hour night shifts with avian vet visits at least twice a week. The real Big Red Bike Tour supposed to be happening now was sacrificed to look after the bird. We have spent literally millions of yen trying to save Dino. The vet convinced me last weekend to stop thinking about euthenasia as Dino had a hearty appetite, suggesting a strong will to live. Now that seems to have gone, too, and my heart is starting to ache a bit. Here’s hoping it’s just my unfounded yet characteristic pessimism at play.

POST SCRIPT: Almost immediately upon posting, Dino started tucking into her pellets, which is a bloody good sign. Now I want her to take her medicine!

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