I have a cousin who smokes. The last few times he's come to visit he's wanted to hold Ollie, mainly because in the last few months especially she's become abnormally willing to go to strangers- especially men. I always ask him to wash his hands well first, but even after that the smell is strong. On his clothes, his skin... can it harm Ollie?

i'd be super paranoid about it personally...but i don't know for sure. i'd think that as long as it wasn't often, and he washes his hands, it would be ok. but maybe someone else that knows more can chime in here.

and a question i have been meaning to ask...florida is infamous for forest fires. sometimes i walk outside and i smell the state burning. is this harmful to birds?

I would have him put on a clean shirt also, so she's not perching on the clothing that has smoke on it. It would be terrible for her to get nicotine on her feet.

If he wants to kiss her or let her touch his face or hair, then he needs to completely shower.

That would never happen. She also just perches on his hand or forearm, so touching his clothing isn't an issue- just the scent. She's not around him for that long. I also have a few friends who smoke that I have to be wary of.

A few weeks ago I had a few friends come over to see Ollie before we went out. They wanted to borrow some hair spray to add to the already more than plentiful amount they had previously applied. I have aerosol hairspray, but since I don't use it that often it's easy to go out on the patio or into the hallway of my apartment complex to use it. They thought I was joking when I told them they had to do one of those things. They soon found out I was serious as could be...

Ahh, the Florida brush fires. I would imagine if the smoke is close by and bothers you it would bother the birds much more. Whenever we have one close by I close the windows. We had one two streets from us a few years back and shutting the windows didn't even help. I covered the birds and took them to my daughters house.

Camille, second hand smoke they say is just as bad. I would think if it is only the smell of it on clothing and not fumes, it should not be harmful. I make everyone wash their hands.

My main concern would be - her biting him if she didn't like the smell. Laker can be a little devil if he doesn't like what's on you.

Maybe all this talk will make your cousin think about the effect his smoking has on those around him. [?] My husband is a smoker & it drives me crazy - especially when he stands there with the smoke rising up his arm & all over his clothes - after 17 years of marriage he still doesn't get it when i turn away from the 'ash tray' smell of him after a smoke. He smokes on the balcony. He smokes ... no way to stop it.

Great that Ollie is getting so much socialization & is eating it up.

Well, I'm a smoker (no lectures, I'm working on it) .... I have never smoked in the apartment and I wash my hands thoroughly before I play with the fids... Often, wehn I come home I hange my clothes... but The smell I'm sure is still in my clothes....

I would think like Susan said, as long as its not fumes, it should be ok...

Well, not to change the subject........but today makes 54 days smoke free for me!! Trust me Josh, the older you get the harder it gets to quit.

Camille, I agree with everyone that as long as he washes his hands it should be ok. Not the best perhaps, but ok.

YeH! Congrats - I'm very impressed - hope you can continue to tough it out.

Yea Nate!!! Good for you!