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I’ve had the privilege of working Above: Cookie shares his annual public Over the years, Cookie would have
with a lot of incredible birds during birthday appearance with his caregivers. favorites—a person or two he
my animal care career, but Cookie liked the best. Being a favorite was
Cockatoo will always hold a special arthritis, and cataracts and followed a dubious honor. Whenever he
place in my heart. I will be forever a protocol that included a healthy heard a voice, he would start calling.
grateful that not only did I get to diet, vitamins, medication, and careful Sometimes it was a loud rendition
work with this gentleman in pink monitoring by attentive doctors. Until of “COOKIE!” At other times, it was
just prior to his retirement, I also his final few days, Cookie enjoyed a softer three-note contact call.
got his seal of approval. This was robust mental and physical health. Favorites also got the call when his
kind of a big deal to me, a rookie cage needed cleaning. He spoke a few
seasonal who remembered seeing Cookie admirers can post and view words of English: his name, “want a
Cookie on exhibit at Brookfield Zoo photos on our YouTube page, can leave cracker,” “love you,” and some sort of
when I was just a little girl. He and condolences and memories about Cookie English-cockatoo hybrid. I last saw him
I enjoyed playing peekaboo, and I on our Facebook page (more than 3,000 on a Thursday. I never imagined that
would often have the opportunity comments in several languages and 21,000 would be the last time. Whenever I left
to bring him out on his blanket for a shares at this writing), and are invited to for the day, I would always say, “Bye,
visit during lunch. It was also the first make a donation in memory of our fine Cookie, see you later.” So one more
time in my then short animal care feathered friend at CZS.org/Cookie. time, “Bye, Cookie, see you later.”
occupation that I experienced the Gifts will support our Center for the
importance of training and building Science of Animal Care and Welfare, the David Thornton, Animal Care
a relationship with an animal in my purpose of which is continued excellence Specialist, Bird Department
care, something I will continue to in the treatment of all our birds, as well
carry with me throughout my career. as the many other animals that call
Being part of Cookie’s world for Brookfield Zoo their home.
roughly two-and-a-half years was so
incredibly short compared to his long BROOKFIELD ZOO | WINTER 2016/17 15
life, but I will always cherish them.
Valyn Dall, Former Seasonal
Bird Care Specialist
