Checking in

Good morning everyone, I picked up a new friend this past week. A wounderful AFrica Grey Parrot. He is so handsome. 9 years old. Very scared right now with all the changes that have happeend to him in the past few weeks. Greys can get anxious and he is right now but he trusts me and will come to me. He will shake at first but is calming down quickly. Now the sound he makes fills the house. He whistles, he talks, and something he didn't do before he came here he now barks like my little 5 pound pomerian! I have to watch what I say because these birds are so intelligent that hearing somehting just one time they can repeat it months later. Made me alittle bit nervous when I did a burp and said to myself out loud (stupid me) Mom's a pig! Keep in mind that I am now an empty nester and enjoying every single second of it! Thank god they can't mimic manerisms cause then they would see me making faces at the phone when someone (my mom) talks to much. He loves to have his head scratched. he will come to me make a cluck sounds and tuck his head down for his scratch. I'm sure in no time we will be inseparable. I've been fortunate that the store that I got him from is very knowledgeable. I went to visit him every day two times a day and wouldbring him treats. For that time they didn't give him any grapes. That was the gift from me. I did that for 4 weeks. They wanted to be sure that I could handle him and that we would bond. WE did. He would make a special mom whistle when I would come and leave. It made the coming home easier. The day I brought him home they trimmed his very long nails. They waited until that day when I was waiting in another area. He'd not had him done his mommy before couldn't take care of him one of those things was his nails. But she was a goodmom becasue he is a very good bird. \they have to put a towel around Paulie which he hated. As soon as they were done with his nails I had to take this very upset and angry bird onto my arm. Let me tell ya he's got a big beak I was jsut as scared as he was! But he had to see me as his rescuer. His saviour. His protector. He dint' bite me!!!!! I was very thrilled with that! The cats aren't interested in him but trust me I'm watching carefull. The dog is amazed at the sounds the bird makes. The other birds are gettign extra atrtention so they dont' feel neglected. NO MORE ANIMALS. I'm done adding to my little family.

Pammy, Yeah, right, NO MORE ANIMALS. Ha! You my friend are an animal lover. Your new friend sounds like a sweetheart and you're going to have many years of joy together. I have two large orange trees in the backyard and have tons of pigeons, hummingbirds and doves in the area. This year, I have a mystery bird. I haven't seen it, but something is eating the oranges and that has never happened before. I find little crescent shaped bits of orange peel all over the patio and an orange hollowed out almost everyday. Normally I get all the oranges off the trees by now, but I'm afraid to take away what may be the only food source from what might be someone's escaped pet. The normal wild birds around here don't have the types of beaks that can eat through an orange peel so I wonder if someone's ****atiel or parrot got loose. Hugs, Connie

Hi Pam; If you keep this up, we'll soon be calling you "Pam the Bird Lady" to go along with Marilyn the Bear Lady!! We have had lots of pets here over the years...Dogs, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, even a pet snail, but we haven't had any "house birds" yet. We have, however kept chickens for the last 10 years. We keep a number of laying hens. Once you've eaten fresh eggs, it's tough to go back to the store-bought variety! Whenever we ordered a new batch of day-old chicks from the hatchery, we always allowed the girls to each order an exotic breed as a personal pet. I built a modest hen house in the side yard and like everyone else, they become a part of the family. In other "Bird News", I'm delighted to say that our local pair of Red-Tailed Hawks has returned to nest about 60 feet from our house. Also our bluebird population is doing well. I don't think that they are going to use our bluebird house this year, but they seem to be nesting close by so they probably found a good woodpecker hole in a nearby tree in the woods around the house. Enjoy your new family member Pam......and as for your "No More Animals" declaration, That will last until someone else catches your attention!! Face it kiddo, you're an animal lover!! Mike

Pam, I just love your Paul stories. Please keep us updated as to his progress and any of the many new tales he will add to your lifes book. Va

When the Kids are gone & the boyfriend is gone, that is all we have left for the moment is these pet friends. They in most cases the BEST kind. Enjoy the birds, Dogs & cats. Whatever it may be. We like the stories, as well!! Marilyn, the Bearlady

paul sounds wonderful and momma's in love! we have macaws-and you are so right about what they will repeat--we have had to actually ask ppl not to use foul language around them..... our chico carries on a phone conversation often! it's hysterical ...."really.....really....oh really hahaha" etc......

Pam, Paulie sounds like wonderful company! Hugs, Mo