No matter what happens. If you catch the flu after slogging through mud, if your truck breaks down, if the bird decides he's going to sit on a pole and observe compass points, if she gets an annoying habit of giving rabbits haircuts: it's still the best bird in the world.

It's also easy to take the bird for granted once you have it trained. The whole process leading up to this moment is so long and arduous. This bird is precious, this bird is good no matter what it does. Enjoy the beauty, savor every moment that the bird does something right. Appreciate the interesting flights, enjoy when the bird tries something new.

Don't let yourself overrate the negative events and let them overwhelm all the good things that have happened. Something good will happen tomorrow. At least the bird came home with you. If you get hit by a car and die, well, it may be difficult for you to appreciate it, but at least the bird's okay.