A parrot pecked her tears away after her divorce. Now it rides in a bubble backpack with a window

The bond between people and their pets often defied explanation, but for Ning Cao, that bond became an important source of comfort. In the painful aftermath of her divorce, she would sit weeping, only to find her small parrot, Burbur, perched right beside her, gently pecking away every falling tear. For years, the two were inseparable on city streets, with Burbur riding comfortably tucked inside Cao's coat collar. However, that routine ended abruptly the afternoon a roaring motorcycle startled the bird, sending her fluttering high into the treetops for three terrifying hours. After the scare, Cao switched to carrying Burbur in a ventilated bubble backpack. Their unusual bond recently drew attention after CP24 profiled Cao and Burbur on October 9, 2026, revealing how one frightening escape changed the way the pair now explore the city together.

Comfort through heartache

During the difficult stretch of her divorce in Victoria, B.C., Cao discovered just how deeply she depended on Burbur. As sorrow overwhelmed her at home, the affectionate bird refused to leave her side. "I was crying, and she was right beside me, and she was picking up my tears," Cao recalled, showing how the little parrot brushed them away. Cao said moments like that showed her how much comfort Burbur brought during a difficult period in her life.

Years of coat-collar walks

Long before the bubble pack entered the picture, Cao and Burbur explored the neighborhood streets tucked together. The fearless bird would ride inside Cao's coat collar, poking her face out to watch the world go by. Back at home, Burbur showed off an equally playful, dog-like personality. She would sleep in Cao's arms at night, fetch balls, and even guard the door of her "green enclosure like a goalie." But that peaceful routine came to a sudden halt when a passing motorcycle roared past them. Panicked by the loud engine, Burbur took off into a nearby tree branch.

Safe on the officer's shoulder

After a frantic search that lasted about three hours or so, Cao was finally reunited with Burbur. This happened after a stranger noticed Cao searching the streets and tipped her off to a surprising sight. Just down the block, a local police officer had found the runaway parrot resting comfortably right on his shoulder while trying to track down the owner. The moment they reunited, BurBur showed her joy, purring like a contented cat every time Cao stroked her.

Part of the family

Cao isn't the only person who considers her pet to be part of her family. According to a Pew Research survey, 51% of U.S. pet owners considered their pets as much a part of the family as a human member. Women are more likely to consider pets as their own, with 57% of them confirming the same compared to only 43% of men. Additionally, 49% of owners report owning only dogs, with 23% saying they own just cats, making them the two most common pets. Only 4% of pet owners reported having neither cats nor dogs, making Cao and Burbur's relationship stand out even further.

A safer way to explore together

Determined never to relive that close call, Cao bought a backpack fitted with a clear bubble window and proper air vents. The setup frequently turns heads and draws curious questions from strangers on the sidewalks. Yet with Burbur carrying the life expectancy of thirty more years, Cao says she is more focused entirely on keeping her safe. "She's going to grow old with me," she says, ready to protect her feathered companion for decades to come.

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