And the black Ford slowly merged onto I-40 east. In it, rode a sweet husband and wife and a nearly sweet Amazon named Cleo.
After a great internal struggle, I have re homed Cleo to a wonderful family. I had turned down two families here locally as one lived in an apartment and I just didn't think it'd be good cause Cleo can scream sometimes. And the others already had a Macaw and a lilac crown Amazon and two teenagers. I just felt like Cleo would get lost in that shuffle.
Then, I read a post on another board about this family wanting to take in a blue front Amazon. Theirs, who was also a rescue they had taken in, had died of cancer and their children have moved to college. They had experience with Indian Ringnecks and a few other birds. I spoke with them a long time on the telephone and found them to be good people. After speaking with the vet references I had asked for, I had no reason to not let Cleo go to their home..forever. They assured me that this was a forever move for her. But..I do understand that life happens and you never know what lies ahead.
Since Cleo came to me 1.5 years ago, totally unmanageable, she does tricks, steps up, and just is a great pet bird. YOu may ask "why didn't I keep her?" Well, for years I have wanted an Eclectus. And, now is the time for that.
Do I miss her? OMG yes! Do I wonder if she is looking for me...OMG YES! Do I wonder if she is in a happy place with a loving family that had a void that she has filled? NO..I don't wonder that..I KNOW she is in a happy place. I saw them interact with her..it was magic. She loves the guys for sure, but she'll come around to mom I believe in time. Cleo is special needs..She'll do fine with a little time and I told them my mantra with training birds:
The 70's cheap Trick song: "I want you to want me". Make her WANT to WANT you!
My house is loudly quiet tonite. I did not waste any time in getting her cage disenfected and try to put up stuff that reminds me of her. WEll, not all. There is the occasional poop that I overlooked. The red/yellow/green feather on my desk at home and in my office at work.
I laughed to myself as I was putting stuff up in her old room. Everything there had a memory attached to it. In some way or another. We came from her hanging upside down, screaming and biting to a wonderful bird that will stepup and do tricks all in that room.
I cannot imagine loosing a bird or not knowing she was in a happy warm and loving home and seeing this stuff.
I CANNOT IMAGINE WHEN OUR KIDS GO TO COLLEGE!!! OMG..
I'll have to look at all of THEIR STUFF!, well, the poop stains from there are gone..I think.
You know, I think I taught her a lot, but I learned so much from that stubborn bird.
What have I learned from this experience with Cleo?
patience..and endurance..observation...self education...and learning to enjoy the challenge as it goes..
and not to measure by what you want but by what you have....
and where to get the best deals on Bandaids.

Some may think I"m wrong for rehoming Cleo and I totally respect that!
But, I know I took in a bird that was broken....abused, unmanageable and I fixed her!
I made her a PET! And, tonite, she is making a family so very happy. Their eyes were dancing like children's at Christmas.

I have to warn anyone wanting to take in a rescue that it is NOT easy. Be forewarned they bring baggage and unless you spend time learning about how to handle that baggae and then spend time with the bird, do not take it on. Abused birds are not like kicked dogs..they are much smarter.
Would I do it again? Absolutely! But, I'd do QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT.....

This has been one of the most fulfilling adventures of my life.

Now, my focus is to learn about pet therapy with birds. I want to train my new Eclectus, FRISCO, for pet therapy. Laurealla states he is extremely laid back, big vocabulary and just a wonderful 5 year old pet bird from a good and loving home.
If the weather is ok, he'll be flown to me next weekend.

I just wanted everyone here that has followed Cleo's saga to know that she is in wonderful home now surronded by people that wanted her...enough to drive 8 hours and overlook her occasional mood swings.
My daughter and I have talked about her future husbands and things like that and I've always told her this;
"I want you SAFE FIRST>>happy second".
And tonite, I guess the same holds true for Cleo.
She's safe with them and she's happy...I'm happy with her happy.
Mark, Cleo's fosterdad...
*I finally decided to put a picture of my bald head on here with her. Can you imagine she preened my bald head? I told my wife she was SEARCHING...not preening.

Mark, I was in awe about your patience of learning and persistence with Cleo and very much enjoyed being a part of your progress. Taking in a challenging bird is a learning experience and you did exceptional with that challenge. The ultimate goal is for our birds to have a safe and happy home and it sounds like you have found that for Cleo. I totally understand passing up possible homes that didn't fit, and that truly shows your love and concern. My guess is that you will keep in touch with Cleo's new parronts, keep us updated.

Please make PC a part of your life with Frisco, I look forward to your sharing experiences. Thanks for updating us on Cleo who I grew to love though your stories.

I second that! I will never forget Cleo. Mark your patience, love and teaching set Cleo on a sturdy path to her future.



Looking forward to falling in love with FRISCO! (Love the name)

Mark, my initial thoughts when I read that you rehomed Cleo (in your thread a couple weeks ago) were, "OMG, he rehomed Cleo?! How could he do that?!" But it didn't take me long to step back and think about the situation as a whole. I believe that most of us want the very best situation for our birds, even if it isn't with us. I fully believe that you've put Cleo's and your own best interest first, and that is a very hard thing to do - and it's a wonderful gift to Cleo. You've given Cleo many wonderful gifts because in my eyes you have rehabilitated her and because of that she can flourish in her new home. It sounds like you found a wonderful home for her and that you took great care to make sure she went to a good home. And look at how many gifts she has given you through working with her - everyone in the situation benefitted. I can't imagine how difficult it was to rehome her, but I don't think that you did a bad thing.

Your story reminds me of one of those cheesy mass email forwards that I received the other day. I don't remember the wording exactly, but it said that sometimes people come into our lives for a season, for a reason, or for a lifetime. I do believe that Cleo came into your life for only a season but that there was a purpose to that season.

Well thanks to everyone for those kind words!
I just got a great phone call from them. She said they were still going down the road and Cleo had obviously gotten restless in the carrier. (They are driving 7 hours). So, she took the handperch I sent with her and got her out (this made the mom the SAVIOR!..good going!).
And she was riding and eating and even putting her head in her new mom's hands and letting her scratch her head. She was trying to get to her new daddy while he's driving,...she likes the boys..but would settle for her mom.
I really cautioned them about her being outside that carrier very long while moving fast, they might have to slam on their brakes. They assured me that they would put her back in.
They had been wooing her with "bad for her" snacks and that's ok for today..They're making her WANT to WANT them!
Said she had plucked a button from her coat already and was playing with it. Spoiled..spoiled...bird.

They were talking about how much they loved this bird already and what a great pet she was.
Whose a sucker for a happy ending?

And yes, I will keep you guys posted bout Frisco..I cannot WAIT to get him next week. I just hope the weather works out for his flight and it's not too cold.

Where is he coming from?

Flying from Middleburg, Florida to Memphis, Tennessee..
gonna make him say
HEY YA'LL!!!

Congratulations! It takes an immense amount of courage to give up a pet. I wish you all the best with Frisco!!!

At least it is in the south, temps aren't too bad yet are they? Yup, a southern drawl would be too cool!

Mark, thanks so much for keeping us up to date on happenings with Cleo, and soon Frisco! I gotta tell you, I got a little bit sad and teary eyed at the thought of Cleo leaving. You two have been through so much together. It can't have been an easy decision for you, but it sounds like she's going into a wonderful situation, and I know you've been very careful to do all you can to make sure everything is right for her.

Please don't be a stranger, Mark. I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about that Ekkie boy!