Last Time I did this....

09-03-2007, 12:54 PM

Was in April, right before I went to NJ to babysit my little granddaughter while her folks went off to Aruba. Now Shrek, the 20 yr old Quaker and Fiona, 20 yr old Maroon Bellied GCC, have a forever home with me.

As many of you know, I'm about to fly off to NJ again for the imminent arrival of my new grandson who is scheduled to arrive next Friday, but we all know how that story might end. So, last night, I get a call from Lynda and there was something in her voice. I thought she was going to tell me that she wouldn't be able to birdsit my flock while I am gone. But then she said, "Well, as long as I am going to come and take care of.....would you consider.....just until there is room in the Rescue (right...), a 6 yr old, female, Orange Wing Amazon! OMG! One of my dreambirds, showing up on my doorstep! at the wrong time in my life -but, at least, I get to care for her for a little while.

Here, in my guestroom, is Chelsea, in her big new cage, munching on BIRDIEBREAD and organic grapes and she kept trying to tell me how much she likes me and wants to be friends. Her last foster home was not a good experience for her. She already stepped up for me and let me scritch her-I am hoping FWCAS finds a great forever home for her while I am gone or , at least, before I have to go to NJ again in Nov. Any FL residents, interesting in adopting her, should go to www.fwcas.org.

So here are some pics of the most well-behaved OW Amazon and the sweetest big birdie! Last night, she told me she was a "buttbird" several times and, this morning, she was a "lovebird"-several times, I said "lovely bird"-nope, she insisted "Lovebird".OK by me!

Also, picture of nosy Howi who sneaked out the doggie dog this am. (Don't yell at me , Arty! I brought him back in after I took the pic.) He is locked out of "his" bedroom but knows somebody is in there....

09-03-2007, 01:03 PM

i love the kittty lololool

09-03-2007, 01:04 PM

bird is abosolutly gorgeous...

09-03-2007, 02:19 PM

Cute kitty and the birdie wants to stay.

09-03-2007, 04:15 PM

She's making that very clear-I keep telling her she's arrived at Camp BIRDIEBREAD and that her Birdy Godmother is trying very hard to find the perfect home for her......

09-03-2007, 04:18 PM

Gini, she's beautiful! I bet she ends up staying...

09-03-2007, 04:51 PM

Awww, she's a beauty!

09-03-2007, 05:13 PM

It's a sign, she's meant to stay with you especially with the arrival of your new grandbaby boy

09-03-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfulhage

Gini, she's beautiful! I bet she ends up staying...

I second that bet! She's adorable! Tinna's right, its a sign!

09-03-2007, 08:58 PM

Camille, Tinna and Dominique, I would LOVE to keep her and she likes me too, but, for the next 5-7 yrs, I will have 30 little fingers visiting me on a regular basis and cannot take the chance of a little one getting bit by a big beak that could do permanent damage or snap off a little finger. I can't exactly stick Chelsea in a locked closet or send her away whenever they visit-at 10 mos and 20 months, they already get excited when I hold Shrek, Fiona or Ladybird up to the webcam once or twice a week. So I am afraid to put my little people at risk, not to mention how tempting a tailfeather through the cage might be.....I understand that young children can be trained to behave-but not at the expense of a finger, nose or eye. I would rather wait until THEY are older before acquiring a larger parrot.

If there are any other grandparents with babies and big fids that have words of wisdom, please chime in....and tell me how you juggle the two.

The other problem is pet sitters. I will be traveling to ATL, DC and NJ several times a year. It is easy to find someone to change food & water dishes for the tiels and Fiona. Shrek is a little trickier but easily distracted. However, finding a sitter for an Amazon might be a little harder.

Also, don't forget I have 2 cats and a dog who also need attention and care, food, toys, vet visits, grooming. My cat has demonstrated strong disapproval of our new guest already by flagrantly NOT using the clean litterbox but going ,conspicuously, right next to it. Last night, he went in the bathtub but I filled it with 5 inches of water after that, lol. (He hasn't acted like this with our previous "guests") My dog likes the bird but she refused to obey tonight and wouldn't let me catch her out front because I'm paying more attention to the other pets than her. First time, she ever disobeyed a "Come" command. Negative attention is better than no attention in their mind. So I believe I have reached "a line in the sand".

Fostering for a short period is fine but I think we will try to find Chelsea a permanent home with someone wonderful and ,then, I will be available to foster the next fid that needs a place for R & R before moving on to their forever home.