Acappella

Huey is beautiful.

So, we moved into this house 9 years ago. Here, Dorian's cage is in the master bedroom, down the hall from the open concept living space. Now, I'll admit to sometime being a bad bird mommie. Sometimes, in the morning, I sit and have a cup of tea in peace before I get Dorian and bring him out for the day. Well, apparently he got tired of waiting for me one morning, and decided to climb off his cage and walk down the hall to find me! You could have knocked me over with one of his feathers when I saw him at my feet! He's so confident and cheeky. He bears no resemblance to the timid, frightened parrot I re-homed almost 17 years ago, and it does my heart good, even if I now have to watch my feet in the morning.

I was contemplating a vacation in The Netherlands to see family a couple of years ago, and my main concern was taking care of Dorian. I'm leary. I once hired a neighbour to take care of him for a couple of days. I left them at the house, but had to circle back because I forgot something, and caught them putting him to bed at 5:00 in the afternoon, instead of 7:30 pm as instructed. I've also used the daughter of a trusted friend, but the problem with training kids is that they grow up and move away, taking their bird sitting skills with them. I belong to a good community group on Facebook, and I'd probably look there for a sitter. A community or neighbourhood group is a good way to get to know your neighbours.

Dorian has a sleep perch, which is the highest perch in his cage. After a night night almond and lights out, I tell him to "tuck yourself in" and he'll (eventually) go to that perch and be ready for sleep. He's in his own bedroom. It's the master, and it also contains my computer and my keyboard. Since I put in a night light he hasn't had a night fright, and I rarely see him sleeping during the day. He needs his full 12 hours dark quiet time to be in a good mood (learned that the hard way).

Vannah has quite the personality lol. I'm glad your husband is making progress. Sounds like he's on the right track. Since he wanted a grey, I hope he can enjoy her from her allowed distance.

Quite an adventure you guys have set out upon. Congrats on the new place.

Glad Sukei had a good birthday. I remember when you brought him home and everything you had to do. It's all turned out great!

Dorian is interested in 2 shredding toys, plus of course his big stainless bell. The shredding toys are a roll of adding machine tape, and toys I make for him out of cardboard. He doesn't touch wood, or store bought toys.

Dorian's playstand is a combination of java wood, cotton perches, and a hula hoop covered in cotton supreme rope. His cage is a combination of manzanita and cotton, including a boing. The only perch he chews is the hula hoop one.

So thrilled you guys are still here, and Gracie is still a cuddlebug. As Dorian has gotten older he's allowing less and less scritches. Plus I could never touch him on his belly or under his wings because he starts regurging for me. Give her a tickle tickle from us.

HI! Dorian and I are back. I know I haven't logged on since 2018, but I never forgot about you guys. I just got busy, and sick, and my back went out, and, well, life. Dorian's still my little feathered entertainment unit. He doesn't talk as much these days, simply because the house we're now in is much smaller than our previous home, and he spends almost all the time with me. He used to use speech to lure me back downstairs to him when I was upstairs taking care of my dad. Dad's been gone for 9 years now, but every once in a while I still hear his voice coming from Dorian. This summer I've been taking Dorian in his travel cage out to the front porch on days when it hasn't been too hot. He loves barking at the dogs who walk by lol. He'll be 21 this coming November. Hard to believe I've had him for 17 years. I'm going to have some fun looking around and getting caught up. Glad you're still here.

Dorian is very refined in his taste. He prefers spiced gouda lol.

Huey is a sweetie. Dorian has come a long way since I got him but I don't think I'll ever get him to lay on his back.

I've never used those products so I'm afraid I can't help you. What did the vet say?

That looks like the same cage I have for Dorian. He loves it. I love it because it's got plenty of room for a bell, toys, and a full sized boing to perch on.

What a cutie. You've got a great cage set up, and I see you've got some cardboard on the play top. You might want to add more shredding toys. My guy loves adding machine paper tape and toys made of toilet paper rolls.

Look up something called Rescue Remedy. At least a couple people here have had good results with it. My Dorian was cage bound when I got him and it took more than a year of sitting by his cage with the door open before he even poked his head out.

Could be a concussion. I don't know if you're on Facebook, but there's a group on there called Parrot First Aid. They're excellent at giving first aid advice. Might be worth joining and asking them. I know with a concussion you don't treat with heat because that can cause additional swelling, but that's about all I can remember.

Sounds like they did the remediation the right way. You and the birds will be fine.

Poor little guy. I'm sorry the news isn't better. I know he's getting the best care they can give him.

How's Ollie doing? Has he gone through another cone of shame?

Some members here have had good results with their birds using Rescue Remedy.

I hope he continues to improve.

So sorry for the loss of your bird.

Welcome to you and all your babies, they're beautiful.