User blog comment:JoePlay/Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 Giveaway/@comment-4125293-20110707121348

Having thought about this many times, I have decided that, although unusual and quite small, mine would be a Budgie. As a small child we owned only one of these birds and it was a childhood friend for many years.

We never named it, and somehow it made it more special, like it was still wild, powerful and free. It was tenacious in life and still flew days before it sadly passed away.

Neither before or since have I felt a connection to a pet than I did when I was 9 years old, and I was saddened to witness it's death on my own one afternoon.

It was in these final moments that I realised that this animal, however small, was strong and determined, much like myself in life. I felt a special connection to have been the first to spot it in the shop and the last to see it in its final moments.

It had witnessed all conversations that had occurred in the household and I like to think that it shared the same memories I had from my childhood. I believe that the ability to feel free, be determined, live life in the moment and to be strong in all aspects of life makes the link that I shared with this tiny bird the basis that would drive my Patronus, the happy memories alone I had watching the flights that it made and being amazed at it's incredible colours in its plumage would be enough to shield from any sorrow.

"In war, Truth is the first casualty"