Michael V. mourns sudden death of pet bird: 'I never expected losing a pet can be this heartbreaking'

Michael V. expressed grief on social media after he and his family mourned the sudden death of their pet bird, a sun conure named Pepper.

On Instagram Monday, the comedian shared a lengthy post entitled "For Pepper" and shared different photos as well as a video of their pet.

"It's our first time losing a pet after a long while. Hindi yung nawala or naligaw or ninakaw kundi 'namatayan' ng alaga," he began.

In the post, Michael V. said they didn't expect to lose Pepper so early. Narrating an incident when Pepper flew away and didn't return overnight, Michael V. said the bird returned the next day seemingly regretful of his decision.

"We were kinda  assured na hindi na uli siya aalis. Plus, we found out that they can live up to 30 years or so kaya we were confident that he'll be around us for a long time," Michael V. wrote.

"Then today, December 6, around 3pm, 'yun na...nadala daw si Pepper ng pusa."

According to his household members, Pepper flew to the yard and as soon as he landed, a cat got him by the head and dragged him away. It happened so fast nobody could do anything, Michael V. continued.

"I held Pepper's lifeless body in my hands. May patak pa ng dugo 'yung makulay na feathers niya. He was still warm and his eyes were half open but he wasn't moving," he said.

[I held Pepper's lifeless body in my hands. There was even a drop of blood on his colorful feathers. He was still warm and his eyes were half-open but he wasn't moving,]

Michael V added, "Had I known how to perform CPR for birds, baka sinubukan ko eh. Lahat kami sa bahay, nag-iyakan (Had I known how to perform CPR for birds, I would have tried. All of us at home cried)."

And when they realized how much Pepper made them happy, especially during the pandemic, they started even more.

Michael V. shared how Pepper had learned to fly and land on them when they called him, how he'd laugh alongside them when he heard them laughing, and how he'd kiss them on the lips when he got the chance.

"And for a tiny creature, I never thought he'd be able to express love and gratitude but surprisingly, he did!" Michael V. said.

"Naramdaman naming lahat na mahal niya kami. And now that he's gone, I realize na wala talaga sa size, gender or even species ang pagmamahal. Basta nagmahal ka and they love you back, that's all that actually matters (We all felt his love. And now that he's gone, I realize that love isn't based on the size, gender or even species. As long as you loved and they loved you back, that's all that actually matters)."

The comedian shared that it was the first time they lost a pet after a long time.

"Hindi yung nawala or naligaw or ninakaw, kundi 'namatayan' ng alaga," he said.

Michael V. admitted he didn't care much about Pepper when he first arrived in their home but now, "I realize ang sakit pala. I never expected losing a pet can be this heartbreaking (Now that he's gone, I realize that it's so painful. I never expected losing a pet can be this heartbreaking)."

Although the comedian would call Pepper a "dumb bird," Pepper Michael V., was their dumb bird.

He added, "We love you, Pepper and we're going to miss you. We all wish you could've stayed for a little longer. Goodbye forever. Now you are truly free."

— LA, GMA News