WOW...tonite was yet another momentous nite. I can't describe how HUGE tonite was.
Going on a hint from Kimba, instead of putting Cleo HIGH in the air, I dropped my arm down by my torso. And listen parrot people, something sort of "magical" happened. She just tucked her head sort of to my chest and it was if that was where she was supposed to be. She stayed there, we walked around the house about 15 minutes with her in the same spot. Same spot. She was at peace and it was just very very very strange.
I had always held her up HIGH cause that's what I was told, but it's like I said earlier today, just like people, birds are different bird to bird. She apparantly is much happier feeling a lil more protected next to me.
In my mind, before she was abused, this probably was where she sat as a baby bird and felt comfortable.
She just was sort of like a baby there. Garsh, stop waxing so sentimental Mark. But maybe, that's why she was called Baby?
Dont get me wrong, she doesn't ask to stepup, and still she grumbles. but tonite gave a new place AFTER she steps up and maybe a sense of trust for her. She even rode calmly there to "go home" tonite. Usually, she fights a lil if I try to manually put her up at nite, but she just calmly rode in on my arm and stepped off..like she had done it a million times.
It was nice. very nice.
Thanks Kimba!
But anyway, here she is, my Cleo in a happy spot..at long long last.
Mark

Oh WOW!!! YAY Cleo....YAY Mark!!! Good going! (My fids like to ride there too...especially Maple when there are strangers around..she likes to hide her head..she's shy..haha).

You are such a great dad Mark.....WOOT!!!!

Holy Sh&# Mark! This is awesome! I am soooo happy for you! And Cleo too of course.

Oh how beautiful!

Kimba, great advice girl. Look at those two!

Cleo looks so much like my boy. What a sweet girl!

I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!! And Cleo looks so calm and relaxed!

How sweet, Mark. I agree some birds love to cuddle and others prefer to perch high. Sounds like Cleo is a cuddle baby! Good job.....

Awesome Awesome Awesome!!!!! This is so huge! I can't wait to hear how things progress from here...this is one gigantic step in the right direction!!

Great news Mark!! Cleo looks very happy and relaxed sitting there and oh so beautiful!!!

Thanks everyone. I just can't put into words how good it was. What a feeling of success and relaxation. After 6 months. It almost made me angry at myself for not having more intuition than I have had. I should have tried this earlier, but to be honest, I was "following" the rules. Everywhere I've read "HOLD HER UP".
And, as JR said, she is a cuddle bunny of sorts. After a few minutes there, I completley out of instinct took my left hand and was gonna stroke her back and she did not like that at all. Dunno, that may change. She let me scratch her head there. What was so odd was that once I dropped my arm down, she never moved. She even put her beak to my shirt. But I was amazed that she never made any attempt to fly off whatsoever. Now, when I sat down on the couch with her, she wobbled off.
I even called the people that I got her from to let them know the good news. Like me, and you guys, they were very excited and relieved.
Just goes to show ya, even with training, sometimes you gotta breaka few rules.
Thanks for all you guys encouragement.
Mark

Well done, it is sometimes difficult, unfortunately birds dont come with manuals.

YAY! That is amazing, Mark.

Angie, would birds be as much fun if they came with manuals?