Barry
10-09-2007, 04:58 PM
The past year and a half has, by and large been a tumultuous time for me, both in my personal and professional life. The start of that was in February 2006 when my beloved Verreaux eagle died an untimely and unforeseeable death. That event had me for months questioning my continuing in falconry, my Verreaux was the bird with which I wanted to enjoy my falconry in retirement - that had been taken from me, with it went my goal.
During the subsequent period my falconry centre was broken into - twice and most everything I own was stolen, I endured an acrimonious break up of a personal relationship, I had a Land Rover stolen, I had my Vizsla die an unexpected death and right up to date I had a baby great grey owl die. All in all, life has been hard and my career in falconry has been often questioned.
There was a potential high point. Around four months after my Verreaux died, I was offered a chance to buy her brother before he was was put up for more public sale. I planned to go see the bird the following weekend, however, my centre was broken into a few days later and I was forced through financial uncertainty to decline the bird which was heartbreaking.
The bird was offered to Neil (Berkut). Neil was kind enough to contact me to ensure I was not still hoping to buy the bird. As I was not he said he was going to buy him, but should he decide that he was not flying in the manner he hoped, that he would offer him to me with first priority before he was offered for sale elsewhere. This was a gesture of great kindness for which I thank Neil.
The Verreaux, Mac, (as you would expect in Neils hands,) did take game. However, it was not in the style or with the consistency that Neil desired, so he transfered him to AKB to explore his potential as an AI breeding bird. This too fell short of the mark - Mac is parent reared so the likilihood was always very low. When Neil realised that it was not to be a viable idea, with the best future for the bird in mind and standing by his word of oak, he offered the bird to me.
You have to remember that Verreaux Eagles are in much demand, and Neil had been offered huge sums of money for the eagle, swaps for other eagles and even multi bird/cash deals. Neil stuck by his word and his aim to give the bird the most satisfying life, and held his word of sale to me. Neil even had offers from people who wanted to buy the bird just to stop me from getting him which shows how low some people will go - exactly the sort of lowlife that Neil has no time for.
Then another bombshell, after Neil and I had fomally agreed the sale and time of the sale, I was broken into yet again. This event nearly finished me, but we survived. I had to ask Neil if he could tollerate a delay, which he did without a swerve or question. This was a life saver as it would have been the second time in a year that I had missed getting this bird because of a break in at work.
Now you will all know of the awful events that have affected Neil over these past few days, which have affected him massively in his professional life. Considering his losses he could very easily have sold Mac for a bid double that at which he was offered to me.
Despite this, Neil still stood by his word and to him, and one or two others who have helped me in my recent hard times (you know who you are) I must say a huge and resounding THANK YOU for the fact that I have a lump in my throat, and a tear in my eye because once again I have a Verreaux Eagle sitting on my weathering.
Thank you Neil, the bird is perfect in feather and fettle. I am grateful to you for your honour and your patience.
If there were more people willing to consider the birds in their care more than the cash in their pocket, many birds would be happier than they are today. If we would all stand by our word, rather than changing stories every time we open our mouths the bickering would be less. Most of all if we all stood by our word then we could all be held in the respect for which I have for Neil.
Thank you
During the subsequent period my falconry centre was broken into - twice and most everything I own was stolen, I endured an acrimonious break up of a personal relationship, I had a Land Rover stolen, I had my Vizsla die an unexpected death and right up to date I had a baby great grey owl die. All in all, life has been hard and my career in falconry has been often questioned.
There was a potential high point. Around four months after my Verreaux died, I was offered a chance to buy her brother before he was was put up for more public sale. I planned to go see the bird the following weekend, however, my centre was broken into a few days later and I was forced through financial uncertainty to decline the bird which was heartbreaking.
The bird was offered to Neil (Berkut). Neil was kind enough to contact me to ensure I was not still hoping to buy the bird. As I was not he said he was going to buy him, but should he decide that he was not flying in the manner he hoped, that he would offer him to me with first priority before he was offered for sale elsewhere. This was a gesture of great kindness for which I thank Neil.
The Verreaux, Mac, (as you would expect in Neils hands,) did take game. However, it was not in the style or with the consistency that Neil desired, so he transfered him to AKB to explore his potential as an AI breeding bird. This too fell short of the mark - Mac is parent reared so the likilihood was always very low. When Neil realised that it was not to be a viable idea, with the best future for the bird in mind and standing by his word of oak, he offered the bird to me.
You have to remember that Verreaux Eagles are in much demand, and Neil had been offered huge sums of money for the eagle, swaps for other eagles and even multi bird/cash deals. Neil stuck by his word and his aim to give the bird the most satisfying life, and held his word of sale to me. Neil even had offers from people who wanted to buy the bird just to stop me from getting him which shows how low some people will go - exactly the sort of lowlife that Neil has no time for.
Then another bombshell, after Neil and I had fomally agreed the sale and time of the sale, I was broken into yet again. This event nearly finished me, but we survived. I had to ask Neil if he could tollerate a delay, which he did without a swerve or question. This was a life saver as it would have been the second time in a year that I had missed getting this bird because of a break in at work.
Now you will all know of the awful events that have affected Neil over these past few days, which have affected him massively in his professional life. Considering his losses he could very easily have sold Mac for a bid double that at which he was offered to me.
Despite this, Neil still stood by his word and to him, and one or two others who have helped me in my recent hard times (you know who you are) I must say a huge and resounding THANK YOU for the fact that I have a lump in my throat, and a tear in my eye because once again I have a Verreaux Eagle sitting on my weathering.
Thank you Neil, the bird is perfect in feather and fettle. I am grateful to you for your honour and your patience.
If there were more people willing to consider the birds in their care more than the cash in their pocket, many birds would be happier than they are today. If we would all stand by our word, rather than changing stories every time we open our mouths the bickering would be less. Most of all if we all stood by our word then we could all be held in the respect for which I have for Neil.
Thank you