Lucky conure barely escapes a perilous perch

Meet Rolex, Jessica’s beloved green-cheeked conure

A long-time animal lover, Jessica M. has had many unconventional pets: A guinea pig, a bearded dragon, even hermit crabs. She adopted Rolex to get a feel for bird parenting. Little did she know, the bond forged with her feathered friend would be life-changing.

Jessica says, “When I got a bird, I didn't realize how much personality a little thing could have, and Rolex is so loving and beautiful and cute. We're so connected in such a weird way. I've never connected like this with any pet ever … I love Rolex so much.”

Jessica soon discovered how playful and affectionate her little conure could be. Inspired by their connection, Jessica soon added another five birds to the family.

“I know. I turned into, like, a bird hoarder,” she jokes.

Still, her connection with Rolex is something special.

As the pair grew to be inseparable, Jessica began taking Rolex on frequent trips to a friend's home, where the friendly bird became a welcome house guest—and where a love of being around people would lead to this Hambone-nominated incident.

What happened?

Jessica and Rolex were visiting at a friend’s house. Her friend’s father was getting ready for work, and Rollie was hanging out in the living room. Then, a perch in the wrong place at the wrong time changed everything.

“[My friend’s dad] had opened his door to grab his shoes, and Rolex just flew to the top of the door,” Jessica explains. “I guess he didn't realize [that], so he shut the door without looking—and Rollie got slammed in the door.”

The injury Rolex sustained from the door was quite serious. Jessica rushed her bird to the nearest animal hospital for immediate care.

“[The veterinarian] stabilized Rollie, then they told me that they don't really know what's going to happen [next],” she recalls. “They didn't really tell me anything, because there was no avian vet on at night.”

Jessica stayed at the hospital until midnight, then spent a long, sleepless night awaiting news on her beloved bird from home. Finally, a call with good news came around 10:00 a.m. the following day.

She continues, “Once they called me and told me Rollie was alive and well—still stumbling but going to be okay—I slept right after that because I knew [everything] was good.”

How Nationwide helped

Recovery was long and difficult for Rolex, lasting more than a month and requiring antibiotics and close care. Jessica took time away from her job to so she could look after her injured bird. Fortunately, Nationwide was there to help her manage the unexpected veterinary expenses.

“Nationwide really saved my pet's life because I wouldn't have been able to afford this kind of trauma injury payment,” she says. “Considering I'm a student, my net worth isn't great. Having pet insurance really made me feel secure that my pet would be cared for, and I wouldn't have to cheap out or worry about taking Rolex out of their care. Having Nationwide really, really saved Rollie. I wouldn't have been able to do it without Nationwide.”