Frankie vuela libre

Analysis and Reflections from Fundación Loros: What We Learned from This Story

Frankie came into our home as a birthday gift for my second son.
No one in the family had realized that keeping a wild animal at home —no matter how well it’s cared for— is not a true expression of the love it deserves. Although Frankie didn’t live in a cage and was looked after with care, every time he heard parrots flying near the house, he would pay close attention. And surprisingly, he never flew away, even though we never clipped his wings.

A few years before the pandemic, my daughter and I adopted two dogs at around the same time. One of them, Ginebra —an excellent hunter— made it necessary for us to keep Frankie practically confined to his cage all the time. One day, Daniel, a veterinarian specialized in wildlife, came to visit and convinced me to return Frankie to freedom. I was worried that, raised as a pet, Frankie might die of sadness —he used to stop eating whenever I was away from home too long—. However, I don’t regret letting go of the idea that Frankie was happy with us.

I always gave him my love and care: he let us carry and pet him, and even slept in my lap. He learned to call my daughter Sara, and his first words were curse words and loud laughter that surprised our visitors. He never trusted men, but he did trust my daughter and me. Thanks to the connection with Fundación Loros, I was able to see him free again. I still tear up every time I see parrots flying. I finally saw a photo of Frankie, free, preening next to his partner, and I knew I had done the right thing.

Today, as a teacher of young children, I advocate for the freedom of wild species. In my classes, I always repeat that these birds are not pets, and that children can raise awareness within their families. I hold onto the hope that more people will learn to protect our wildlife. Since that day, I’ve hung Frankie’s empty cage on my terrace, for all to see, with a phrase I love:

“This is not an empty cage; it’s a bird in freedom.”

Without a doubt, Frankie taught me that true love is freedom.