Michael the cockatoo and Keirra Duffy. Picture: Bruce Magilton Source: Herald Sun FIFTY-nine-year-old cockatoo Michael now has two wonderful women in his life to fuss over him and feed him his favourite treats.
The spoilt, sulphur-crested cockie has spent his long life in the lap of luxury with octogenarian Doreen Trainor.
The pair have spent almost six decades together.
Their morning ritual has seen them share toast and a cup of tea before 89-year-old Mrs Trainor took her feathered friend out to exercise on the backyard clothesline.
But when his elderly "mum" was recently placed in hospital, Lort Smith Animal Hospital vet nurse Keirra Duffy stepped up.
Mrs Trainor had signed up to the hospital's Heart and Home program that finds foster carers or new homes for people unable to keep or care for their pets because of illness or death.
"He came in to the hospital, but it was the first time he had been separated from Doreen and he wasn't happy," Ms Duffy said.
"So I decided to take him home where he's got the run of the house and he's perked up heaps since."
Ms Duffy said it was obvious the beautiful bird missed his best mate.
Mrs Trainor and her late husband Jim were childless and Michael was their baby.
When Jim died, Mrs Trainor had no other relatives and the bird became her world.
"Well I am missing him very much as you can imagine," she said yesterday.
"But I have been told the people caring for him are willing to bring him to see me so I know he can't be in better hands."
Ms Duffy said: "I'll keep him for as long as Doreen is not able to.
"He's got a good home with me for as long as he needs it."
Ms Duffy is 23, and with Michael looking forward to an expected life span of 100, that could be a long time to come.