Grieving is Not Something to Be Put On Hold
For many of us, the loss of a pet can be one of the most painful experiences we'll ever face. Yet, time and again, society tells us to "move on" or "get over it." But what happens when we're asked to put our grief on hold? The Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest offering suggests that perhaps we shouldn't.
In a powerful new documentary called Parrot Kindergarten, the bond between a grieving parrot named Ellie and her human mother, Jen Taylor-O'Connor, takes center stage. Using an augmented reality device (AAC) to communicate, the duo embarks on a journey of grief and healing. When Ellie starts recalling another sister, Lily, who passed away several years ago, it sets off a chain reaction that forces Taylor-O'Connor to confront her own emotions.
"We didn't know what we were dealing with," Taylor-O'Connor says in an interview. "She'd started bringing up Lily, but we didn't realize how much she wanted to talk about it." The documentary goes on to explore the unique way Ellie communicates and grieves, using a range of techniques including speech boards, tablets, and even video calls.
For those who have lost a pet, the experience is all too real. "When you lose a pet, the world sees it like you've lost maybe a quarter of a human," says Taylor-O'Connor. "It's not just the emotional loss, but also the sense of identity that comes with caring for another living being."
Ellie's story raises profound questions about animal cognition and communication. Despite our assumptions, many animals are capable of complex thought and emotion. By studying Ellie's behavior, we can gain a deeper understanding of the intricate bond between humans and animals.
One of the most striking aspects of Parrot Kindergarten is its portrayal of the emotional complexity of grief. Ellie's use of an AAC device to communicate her emotions forces Taylor-O'Connor to confront her own feelings head-on. "It was like the worst pain on earth," Taylor-O'Connor says, recalling the day Ellie first started talking about Lily.
As we watch Ellie and Taylor-O'Connor navigate this difficult terrain together, we're reminded that grief is not something to be put on hold. It's a process that requires patience, understanding, and compassion – qualities that are often in short supply when it comes to humans with pets.
The documentary also highlights the important role of AAC devices in animal communication. By providing an outlet for animals to express themselves, we can build stronger bonds and foster deeper connections.
Ultimately, Parrot Kindergarten is a powerful reminder that grief is not something to be dismissed or ignored. It's a natural response to loss, one that requires our full attention and compassion. By embracing this reality, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and empathetic world – one that values the emotional lives of all beings, human and animal alike.
As Taylor-O'Connor says, "Grief is the worst, and sometimes when it's not acknowledged by the public, you have to apologize for your grief, but then that makes it even more complicated." Parrot Kindergarten offers a profound message: let us acknowledge our own grief, as well as that of those around us – including the furry friends who bring so much joy and love into our lives.
For many of us, the loss of a pet can be one of the most painful experiences we'll ever face. Yet, time and again, society tells us to "move on" or "get over it." But what happens when we're asked to put our grief on hold? The Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest offering suggests that perhaps we shouldn't.
In a powerful new documentary called Parrot Kindergarten, the bond between a grieving parrot named Ellie and her human mother, Jen Taylor-O'Connor, takes center stage. Using an augmented reality device (AAC) to communicate, the duo embarks on a journey of grief and healing. When Ellie starts recalling another sister, Lily, who passed away several years ago, it sets off a chain reaction that forces Taylor-O'Connor to confront her own emotions.
"We didn't know what we were dealing with," Taylor-O'Connor says in an interview. "She'd started bringing up Lily, but we didn't realize how much she wanted to talk about it." The documentary goes on to explore the unique way Ellie communicates and grieves, using a range of techniques including speech boards, tablets, and even video calls.
For those who have lost a pet, the experience is all too real. "When you lose a pet, the world sees it like you've lost maybe a quarter of a human," says Taylor-O'Connor. "It's not just the emotional loss, but also the sense of identity that comes with caring for another living being."
Ellie's story raises profound questions about animal cognition and communication. Despite our assumptions, many animals are capable of complex thought and emotion. By studying Ellie's behavior, we can gain a deeper understanding of the intricate bond between humans and animals.
One of the most striking aspects of Parrot Kindergarten is its portrayal of the emotional complexity of grief. Ellie's use of an AAC device to communicate her emotions forces Taylor-O'Connor to confront her own feelings head-on. "It was like the worst pain on earth," Taylor-O'Connor says, recalling the day Ellie first started talking about Lily.
As we watch Ellie and Taylor-O'Connor navigate this difficult terrain together, we're reminded that grief is not something to be put on hold. It's a process that requires patience, understanding, and compassion – qualities that are often in short supply when it comes to humans with pets.
The documentary also highlights the important role of AAC devices in animal communication. By providing an outlet for animals to express themselves, we can build stronger bonds and foster deeper connections.
Ultimately, Parrot Kindergarten is a powerful reminder that grief is not something to be dismissed or ignored. It's a natural response to loss, one that requires our full attention and compassion. By embracing this reality, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and empathetic world – one that values the emotional lives of all beings, human and animal alike.
As Taylor-O'Connor says, "Grief is the worst, and sometimes when it's not acknowledged by the public, you have to apologize for your grief, but then that makes it even more complicated." Parrot Kindergarten offers a profound message: let us acknowledge our own grief, as well as that of those around us – including the furry friends who bring so much joy and love into our lives.
i mean, we're always told to "move on" after losing a pet but what if we just need more time to grieve? 
the way they used that AAC device was so cool, like we should've thought of that sooner 
it's like they're two peas in a pod or something 
i feel bad for anyone who's lost their pet because it's not just an emotional loss, but also a sense of identity 
grief is a process and it's okay to acknowledge our emotions 
i mean, we've all been there where we think "oh its just a pet" but no way, they're part of the fam 
and this parrot ellie is like, a total emotional wreck 
using her AAC device to talk about her sister who passed away is so powerful 
it makes you realize how much animals can feel and process emotions 
and i totally agree that grief is not something to be put on hold 
we need to make space for people to feel and process their emotions without being judged or told to "get over it" 
and Ellie's story is proof of that. AAC devices can be lifesavers for animals but we need to acknowledge our own emotions too 
. parrot kindergarten is a reminder that grief is real and deserves compassion 
.
. But what's wrong with acknowledging that we need time to grieve? 
. like, people always say "animals don't feel emotions" but what if that's not true? 
. like, we think we know what they want or need but really we might be wrong 
.
. it's like, really eye-opening and makes you think about how we treat our furry friends 
. It's just another feel-good story to make you go "aww" and forget about the real issues at hand. I mean, come on, a parrot is going to help some human mom work through her grief? Give me a break 
. It's probably all staged for drama and attention 
. anyway, just a reminder: grief is not something to be put on hold 
.
the way they used AAC devices to help Ellie communicate her emotions is super insightful 
and can definitely help us humans understand animal cognition better 
I'm literally sobbing just watching Ellie's story... it breaks my heart to see her struggling with her memories of Lily 
. We're so quick to move on from our losses but what about when it affects the one we love most? 
and I'm still thinking about it, but you know what's on my mind? My aunt's cat, Mr Whiskers... he was such a legend 
anyway, so i was watching this doco about Ellie the parrot and I had chills when she started talking about her sister Lily