A HEARTBROKEN pensioner is desperately searching for the missing budgie that her late mother taught to speak.
Jean Nicholl, 68, of Hillside Road, Billericay, is devastated after her blue pet, named Henry, disappeared on April 14.
Mrs Nicholl, who lives with her partner Tony Webb, 64, told the Gazette this week: "I'm heartbroken. Henry was very special because he was my mother's budgie up until she died nine months ago."
Mrs Nicholl bought Henry for her mother at Christmas 2011 and then began looking after him following her death.
"She chose him out of 50 budgies and he changed her life completely," Mrs Nicholl said. "She taught him to talk and named him Henry.
"She lived on her own with carers and taught him to say 'Hello Henry,' and 'Pretty boy Henry'."
Mrs Nicholl recalled the day that Henry escaped. "It was a beautiful day and we thought I'd put him out on the balcony where he sings to the birds," she said.
"I couldn't have secured the door as the cage blew over and he flew off."
She continued: "I would give a reward – anything to have him back. He was part of my mother I've lost him too. I have been looking for him every day in the woods but so far we've had no sightings."
Mrs Nicholl said that her dressmaker had warned her that Henry would not be around for long.
She said: "I'm not really spiritual but she is. "She came to collect some trousers from me two or three months ago and she saw the budgie and I mentioned he had been my mum's.
"Two weeks later she said to me that she'd had a message from my mother saying thank you for taking Henry in but I would not have him for long. I was very careful after that – it scared me."
She continued: "The Sunday before Henry went missing I put him out on the balcony – it's joyful for him.
"My partner was painting the lounge with the patio doors open and he heard squawking.
"He went out and a hawk had covered the whole of Henry's cage.
"It frightened Henry so much that he didn't speak for three days."
After this, Mrs Nicholl decided that she wouldn't put Henry out on the balcony, especially after the message from the dressmaker.
However, she added: "My partner pointed out that if I had a car crash I would still get in a car – he needed the fresh air so I did put him out and he disappeared.
"I can't get over it with the loss of my mother – it's got too much."
Mrs Nicholl has rung vets and put up notices in the hope of finding Henry's whereabouts.
If anyone has any information they can contact her on 01277 625511.
