Laurie

Hi - I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Your bird sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing all the cute things she's doing! We recently painted and used an earth-friendly paint with virtually no fumes. We opened the windows, of course, but still you really couldn't smell this stuff. And it's good paint, too! The quality is wonderful. We got it from Home Depot. Good luck!

Good stuff: When Klaus grinds his beak in contentment - I know I've done something right. All the hilarious noises he makes - he really gets us laughing. Watching him play like a good boy - it is very much like being a parent. Discovering something he likes to eat is still rewarding, even after having him over a year. Drawbacks: It's a big commitment. I don't just go flitting around after work...I have a bird to get home to. Klaus doesn't much like my son and my husband. And they are the ones who wanted him. I still hope this changes (as it is expected to) when Klaus gets to around 2 yrs of age. It's a fair amount of work - making sure he's fed and his cage is clean and that he has access to toys and activities that change often enough that he doesn't get bored.

Klaus is up & down all day... He definitely has his moments where he's vocalizing up a storm! And then others where he's completely quiet. It's funny because when he gets going it's just background noise to me. But I'll be on the phone and whoever I'm talking to will say, "What is going on with your bird?" and I'll say, "Oh, I guess he was chattering, wasn't he?" It's like I don't even notice.

I got weighed and measured yesterday at Curves. I lost 1 pound. One. Lousy. Pound. But hey - slow progress is better than no progress, right?

Yes, I would make sure the company is using a pet friendly detergent and also put your bird in as well ventilated area as possible.

I'm with Dan on the balancing thing. My other 2 cents would be to advise not to spend much on anything except a good quality cage. Greys tend to abhor the outrageously expensive toys and accessories we buy, preferring instead to play with the cardboard tube that the toilet paper was on, and to perch anywhere they please. :lol:

Thanks, all! Klaus is about 1 yr and 4 months old.

Yes, I've had those moments with Klaus not wanting to get down. Usually a little after 10:00 pm on a work night when I'm already exhausted... Funny how they can sense these things, isn't it? :silly:

I think Klaus might be beginning a molt. I have lots of really small grey feathers on the floor around his cage. He is looking and acting ok - I just have never seen these little feathers before and there seems to be a quantity of them. Anything special I need to know or do? My book doesn't say much - just that it will probably happen. Thanks!

Yes, Klaus has had this before. Either it will fall out, or he'll pull it out. Meanwhile it drives me crazy because it makes him look a disheveled! LOL

Mon-Fri Klaus is in his cage all day until I get home from work at around 6:00 pm. He's out from 6:00 until I go to bed (around 10:00). Sometimes we'll go for a walk or a bike ride, which means the poor fella has to go in for a little while until we get back. I keep plenty of toys, food and water in his cage and I make sure to rotate toys so he doesn't get bored. I also provide foraging opportunities. When he's out, he mainly walks around the outside of his cage, sometimes sits on my shoulder (like right now!). On the weekends he usually talks us into letting him out before 6:00 pm LOL Who can resist? I don't do any training with him. I just enjoy him.

What a cute picture!

Just remember to check the back of your shirt before going out in public after a shoulder session! (Or before leaning back on any nice furniture, for that matter!) LOL Signed, The Voice of Experience

Ok, so it's Thursday. I went to the gym on Monday. Came down with a horrendous cold on Tuesday, so I just did a walk instead of a full-blown trip to the gym. Took the day off Weds (sick as a dog). Today I'm back to work, and also back to the gym. I plan to do the gym again tomorrow (Friday) for the requisite 3x. So there you have it!

I think a trip to the vet is in order. My 2 cents...

Jiggyman rocks!

Hey - welcome to the thread, Kitty! You know, I have read that walking is just about as effective as any exercise. I think I just like psyching myself up that I'm doing more what with the gym and the jump rope and all that... With the crazy temps, I just wait until dusk or a little after - that seems to help. Just make sure to wear white or something reflective (for safety).

I use all my usual stuff (Lysol, Fantastik, etc) - I just make sure not to get too close to Klaus. When dusting the living room (which is where he is) I spray the Pledge into the rag instead of onto the surface I'm dusting. This cuts down on it getting airborn. I don't bleach very often but if I find I need to, I move Klaus' cage as far away as possible, clean quickly, and ventilate like crazy. I use a Swiffer on my floor - I believe you can use that on laminate if I'm not mistaken. Good luck!

LMAO - you are killing me Dan!

Yeah, I wouldn't sweat it. It's a little roughage, that's all! LOL

My cat likes to follow me into the shower at 5:30 am ... She's so determined not to get locked out of the bathroom, she races to keep up with me and sometimes I trip over her. Crazy kitty!

The playstand is awesome and the baby looks like a sweetie! Don't worry if the bird doesn't take to it right away - it took me months to get Klaus on his.

I don't bleach often, but when I do, I move Klaus into the room farthest away, open all the windows, and turn on all the fans. I will light a candle very, very occasionally just because I've always loved candles and miss them since I got Klaus. I think moderation (and ventilation) are key.

Am I reading this correctly? Klaus was a hand-fed, fully weaned baby and we got him for $600.

Oh, boy! What a story... Klaus has not made off with anything valuable, but he did pull my hoop earring backwards thru the piercing hole. Ouch!