Laurie

Oh, and karma for you Joe, because I love your new Hemingway quote!

Wow, as usual you guys are the best! I was looking for a little pat on the shoulder, and I got an avalanche! Thank you so much. I am fascinated to see what happens with hypnotism. Most people I've asked said they quit for awhile (anywhere from 8 days to 3 years) but then went back. I've also heard of those that got hypnotised and NEVER went back. (I hope I fall into the latter category.) I will definitely let you guys know how it goes. I have quit before using patches, anti-depressants (to deal with that "crabby" feeling). I have actually found myself smoking a cig while having a patch on my arm! (I know, pathetic.) So, here we go again...I'll keep you guys posted!

Thanks for the support, all!

That's great news, Rickster! Sounds like you're off to a good start...

That's awesome! I love the "Choo-choo, tickets please!"

Hi, and welcome! Thanks for the nice pictures...

Hi, and welcome! Yes, my little guy "digs", too. I just ignore it if it's bedtime.

Hi, and welcome! Thanks for the great intro. We look forward to hearing more from you! Mazy, I can relate to you a little bit. Here in Michigan it was a high of 17 F yesterday (I think) with 50-mph winds. Yikes! Today it's a balmy 25 and the wind has calmed. But we're expecting 8-10" of snow tomorrow...what a way to kick off the weekend!

I'm going to try to quit smoking again. I wonder if we have any ex-smokers out there who would have any support/tips (perhaps a gadget which I could hook up to myself which would shock me if I try to light up?). Of course I can't smoke much now. With a young son at home (and a darling, gorgeous parrot) and a non-smoking workplace, there's hardly an "appropriate" time to do it, but I have been managing to do it, and have decided to quit. I'm going to have hypnotism on Sunday, Feb 3rd. Has anyone ever done the hypnotism? Not to try & turn this place into a quit-smoking-support-group forum (I already belong to QuitNet) - but you guys are always so helpful with everything I thought I'd throw it out there. (Even an atta-girl would help! Thanks!)

What cracks me up is that if you spend some time on YouTube looking at greys, "Don't bite" is a common thing that they say. Hmmm, they must hear that a lot! :laugh:

I haven't taken Klaus anywhere yet, but plan to get a harness or adventure pack when the weather gets warm. I don't like being stuck in the house when it's nice outside. Drs Foster & Smith carry both items, and I've seen the harnesses at the pet supply store.

Lots of great ideas ... Thanks everyone!

Aaawww, she's a sweetie!

Hi, and welcome! You are in the right place for friendly people and great advice...

Hi, and welcome! We're glad you're here, and looking forward to hearing more about you & your birds...

Hi, and welcome! You are in the right place for friendly people and great advice. Don't be shy - ask questions, and post pictures if you can!

Hi, and welcome! Thank you for joining us and for sharing stories & pictures of your bird. Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to get low-cost care for Tobie. Maybe the avian vet would work out a payment plan for you? Couldn't hurt to ask... Also, I've always read that birds should have a variety of perches. Klaus has a straight wooden one that came with the cage. He also has two different sizes of cement ones which I alternate. (The cement ones are supposed to groom their nails.) Then there are a couple of wooden ones that are very "natural" left in the branch shape with knots, etc... In addition to the avian check-up, I would try offering a variety of perches. Good luck!

Rickster - you need to search "Parrot Bite Me Club" for some true tales of horror! (Just kidding, it can't be that bad if we all still have our birds, right?) Anyway, the best way to avoid a bite is not to invite one. Always be calm and move slowly. Look at your bird sideways, lower your head a little and narrow your eyes (this makes you look friendly). When moving your hand toward the bird, come in from the side/back. If you approach from the top/front you will trigger their defense mechanism. The best of us have been bitten, though, so I'm glad you're prepared and willing to put up with it in exchange for the rewarding experience of having a grey.

Very cute birdie! Thanks for sharing. The only solution I've come up with for the mess under the cage is vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! (Sorry!)

Aw, how cute! Sounds like you're making great progress!

That is funny! Reminds me of the time something spooked Klaus while he was on my shoulder in the kitchen and he flew behind the microwave cart. My son and I stood there in stunned silence for a second, then cracked up when Klaus came waddling out from under the cart, a little disheveled, but ok!

Wow, Baily - what a challenge you have on your hands! I can put in 2 cents on cheap toys. Start hoarding every paper towel & toilet paper roll. Cut a length of it, hide a treat inside and crimp both ends closed. Put a treat inside a coffee filter & twist the top up. Save margarine containers & yogurt cups. The margarine containers can be used for foraging, too if you save the lids. Of course, there's always the old stand-bys ~ plastic bottle tops & popsicle sticks. Klaus also loves the tops from powdered coffee cream. If you have a "dollar" store nearby, I'm sure you could find 10 destructible things for 10 bucks! Best of luck to you - we look forward to updates!

I don't claim to be an expert by any means, but the first thing that pops to mind is "variety." Fruits, and vegetables, certainly. Seed seems to be kind of a "no-no" around here, but I think only if seed is fed exclusively. (Not enough variety in an "all seed" diet!) I give Klaus a little "bed" of Kaytee Forti-Diet in the bottom of his dish (this has quite a bit of seed in it) then I add a few nuts, some dried fruit, a Nutri-Berry, a grape if I have them, some shredded carrot if I have it, etc. (My husband laughs at the lengths I go to in putting a bowl of food out for my bird.) In addition, Klaus gets a little of what I'm having (as long as it's something he can have) such as oatmeal, cereal, etc. Also, for a treat I've recently discovered heating up a jar of baby-food veggies (beware of additives, though - the ones I buy contain just the veggie & water as an ingredient list), dipping whole wheat bread in and hand feeding it to him. He loves the interaction, and he gets a treat that's really good for him. Hope this helps a little!

Hi, and welcome. I'm sorry we're "meeting" under such sad circumstances. I would advise going without a bird for a few weeks and see how you feel. It might be too much to jump right into another one...

Yesterday it was squash! Mmmmmm... It's fun but messy. Klaus likes to give me kisses in the middle of it, resulting in squash all over my face and in my hair.