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In death, pet bird warns of fumes
By AMY WIMMER, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETE BEACH -- Baby, a crown-topped cockatoo beloved by children, bar patrons and police officers alike, has died. Some say she died a hero. Owner Diane Miksch thinks Baby's death, like that of a canary in a coal mine, signaled danger. "Baby gave her life up," said Miksch. "She sent a message." Baby spent most days at Dolphin Village, a St. Pete Beach shopping complex. She died less than two days after a contractor began using solvents to remove carpeting glue from a walkway in front of Miksch's accounting business. She was a bird about town. She thrilled tellers at the First Union Bank in St. Pete Beach by unwrapping her own lollipops. For a local ice cream store, she posed for a photo while clasping a vanilla cone in her four-taloned claws. She was also known for being in the Dolphin Village window of Miksch's accounting office. That's where Baby was when she was exposed to the fumes. Within 24 hours, the bird was weak. Soon she began vomiting. Hours later, her veterinarian placed her in an oxygen tank. The next morning, she died. The veterinarian said Baby had breathed something poisonous. Her death came at the same time that employees at Dolphin Village were complaining of scratchy throats, watery eyes and headaches. After Baby died, they called authorities, who sent dozens of firefighters and hazardous materials crew members to the scene. The second floor of Dolphin Village was evacuated from 11 a.m. Thursday to 1:30 p.m. Friday. Four people were treated for exposure to the fumes. Among those was Miksch's 17-month-old son, Dylan, a fast friend of Baby's. T.J. Bentley, owner of Rembrandt Service Systems, which was performing the cleaning work, said Thursday that he used diesel fuel, Pine-Sol and water to remove the glue that once held down carpet on an outside walkway. Bentley was cited Friday for a violation related to the use of the solvents, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Marianne Pasha said Saturday, though the specific violation was unavailable. Bentley could not be reached for comment. Baby was known to travel around the beach perched on Miksch's shoulder. The bird's favorite hangouts included Rosie's Playschool, where she was a hit at show and tell, and the Undertow, a popular beach bar. "That bird would get around," said Paul Nicklaus, owner of the Undertow. "It was a pretty well-known bird." At her home in St. Pete Beach, Miksch reads the condolence cards she is hanging on Baby's home cage and wonders if she should have gotten the bird out of the office sooner. With tax season looming, the accountant stayed until 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, when Baby said, "Let's go home."
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