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I was very surprised Snickers fit in so quickly. I knew my b&g macaw, amazon and my cockatiel fit in quickly. Sami (macaw) had a couple macaws flying over to land next to her & sidling up close to her on the perch -- within 30 minutes of her arrival. (At first, she clung on enclosure wire side, just watching/looking for me). I was there for their sanctuary placement and got to see them settle in a little. Kodak (cockatiel) had several girlfriends and perch cuddlers before I left that day. And Lukaya (YNA) also fit in quickly. But wow -- amazons are more boisterous -- it went smoother than it looked! I seriously thought Lukaya might have to fight them all to find a place there -- but there was no fighting -- just a lot of racket, screeching whistles, crazy eyes pinning and blurry fly-bys! She fit right in! lol I really thought greys would be slower to adapt since they're more reserved, nervous & shy (well, my Snickers is like that anyway). I have considered that since Snickers was placed in with other greys -- other greys with probably similar backgrounds -- greys who had also been through a 'first day at the sanctuary experience' - well... perhaps those greys are now very experienced in greeting new arrivals. A new grey must have interested them greatly. I suppose if just one or two greys there approached Snickers respectfully, and showed friendly interest, he would naturally reciprocate. If Snickers felt abandoned by me, friendly greys approaching him may have been quite a relief to him. And Snickers no doubt learned the sanctuary routine from them -- when fresh food is put out, which perches are most sheltered for sleeping, which toys are the best, etc.. I don't know. Just guessing. Thankful that whatever happened for him, happened. So I guess greys can read other greys. Even greys kept in private homes for decades.

I can't even imagine what you're going through. One day it will be my reality as well, and just thinking about that puts my emotions into a huge tail spin. I'm comforted to hear he's acclimating so quickly, which is quite amazing for a CAG. It's also comforting to know you can visit him if you'd like. Their sanctuary looks like such a wonderful place for parrots to live out their lives.

I took Timber in after my last child left home. I had "empty nest" syndrome. He really filled a spot in my heart that needed filling. I can certainly understand how you feel, and think it would be similar. They become such an important part of our lives that it leaves a big hole when they are gone. God bless.

Ces assures me that Snickers is doing great and is now "part of the gang" there. His words. I am relieved Snickers is fitting in well. So Snickers has new friends and interests... and I guess I don't. It sounds crazy, but emotionally it feels like I just went through a break-up -- that Snickers moved on with his life and I'm left behind. How dumb can I sound??? I always wanted his happiness -- and he needs to be happy in order for me to be happy about my decision to place him. I just need more time to process the changes in my life. And I will, it'll just take some time.

How are you doing? And how is Snickers settling in over at the Sanctuary?