Acappella

I just want to encourage you and your boyfriend to put in the hard work it will take to give Mookie a home and a life full of love and laughter. Re-habilitating a parrot that has been abused and neglected is a long and sometimes frustrating road. Many birds end up in this condition because it is easy to fall in love with the cute images we see of people and their birds, but behind those images are hours upon hours of work research and dedication. That reality isn't so cute, and a lot harder to get across. However, as one of the many people here who have a fid that came from a bad environment, and as such came with a bunch of behaviour and bonding issues, the rewards are so great they are worth every frustration, tear and set back you may have along the way. It's a different journey than the one a person who gets their bird as a baby has but at the end of the day the goal is to end up with a happy and healthy pet. We're here to help and cheer you, your boyfriend, and Mookie on. You've done a good thing here. Karma for bringing Mookie into your life.

Kevin wrote: Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, haven't you figured it out yet? Your job is toy assembly. Dorian is strictly in the demolition business. It's a lot more satisfying to pick apart a toy and fling the pieces in interesting directions than it is to put the toy carefully back together. It's not that he hasn't figured out how to do it, he has just assigned job descriptions. Yours is now oficially Slave of Dorian. Resign yourself to it:laugh:

judygram wrote: LOL Judy, there's actually a chipmunk there too. I didn't see it either until I looked a second time. Kevin, Dorian is a cutie, I can tell he's a spoiled boy. Just something to think about. He's clipped, but I'd reconsider taking him outside without a harness. It's amazing the lift even a clipped bird can get if they're startled by something. They catch a breeze and all of a sudden you're in the middle of a nightmare trying to find him. Do some searching here of other members who have lost a clipped bird. This isn't meant as a critisicm, I can tell you're a great parront. We all care about each other's pets and would hate for something to happen to your Dorian.

Maybe for Abby vocalizing is her way of calling out for her flock, and when you're both in the room with her where she can see you she doesn't have to call anymore. Only Abby knows for sure. Dorian used to be a strict closet talker. Now he'll talk when I'm in the room but clams up for everyone else. The only thing I can think of to do to encourage her to talk in front of you is to model the behaviour you want. For example, you and your wife, in front of Abby, do a call and response followed by a big fuss and obvious reward with Abbys' favourite treat (if it's a food treat, you will have to pretend to eat it in front of her) Greys don't like being left out of flock activities. She may respond to be part of the game. Short 'sessions' repeated multiple times, probably over the course of days, may encourage her to participate. Of course, when and if she does, you both have to make a big time fuss over her:)! Yes, you will look and feel very silly. I love that you love her so much. Good luck with the training. (make sure the curtains are closed and there's no video tape running:P ) Post edited by: Acappella, at: 2010/01/24 18:23<br><br>Post edited by: Acappella, at: 2010/01/24 18:24

Sometimes they just get in a mood (which is another thing that makes their comparison to human children easy) He's also getting older and probably wanting to have more control over what he does, and trying to push the boundaries of what he's allowed to get away with. Add a moult to that and you're going to see some new behaviour from him. You reacted great. Just be consistant and calm and he'll figure out the rules. That's the good news. The bad new is, just like a human child, he'll then find a new boundary to test. At least with these guys it's never boring:P

She's not a hand specialist but she has done this procedure more than 200 times, and my doctor trusts her, and I trust my doctor. The part I'm dreading the most is the IV. I really really really hate IVs. I'm needle phobic, so an IV is like the longest lasting needle. Bernie, I'm glad to hear it went well with you. I have one friend who also had it done on both hands and had good results. The more positive stories I hear the better I feel. For me the pain isn't as much an issue because I'm in pain all the time. The specialist actually asked me how I let it get so bad and the honest answer is I've had to learn to ignore the pain signals my body sends. However, when my hands started going numb, I started dropping things, and the pain was waking me up at night, I finally mentioned it to my doctor. When the specialist diagnosed me I started bawling my eyes out in his office. With fibromyalgia you get used to hearing that nothing shows up on tests and being told you're just going to have to learn to live with the pain, that there's nothing they can do. To actually have someone tell you they can help, that it will get better, well, it's pretty emotional. Thanks for the support guys. It means a lot.

I found out how addicted I am to Greyforums! I don't know how many times I checked to see if the site was up yet, but it was lots!!!!! I also read a book, ran some errands, and visited with a real live friend for a few hours.<br><br>Post edited by: Acappella, at: 2010/01/23 19:40

I know I haven't been checking in but I've been working on getting more healthy food into the house,and then actually eating it:ohmy: Exercise is tougher for me because of my fibromyalgia, but I've gone back to my stretching routine, which I totally wish I'd never stopped because I've lost lots of flexibility. Seeing everyone else here working on their health is helping me stay on track. I went out looking for a Nintendo Wii but everywhere except e-bay is sold out. Guess all the other resolutioners got out shopping before I did:(

Well, I have to say that as much as I love Dorian, he has never ever been on my shoulder and there's an excellent chance he never will. I just don't think you've had Ollie long enough to determine that he's trustworthy enough to be on your shoulder. Plus, you can't see him to read his body language and if he's getting impatient or angry with what you're doing. Keep him on your hand and make your hand higher than your shoulder. As much as he loves being on your shoulder, 99% of the time they will not climb down from a high perch to climb onto a lower one. Having a shoulder bird is more convenient for us humans because it leaves both hands free to go about our day, but one really bad bite is all it takes for a permanent scar. As you have him longer you'll pick up on his body language. Maybe the person who got bit was asking him to do something like stepping up, that he just wasn't in the mood to do;) Or they moved too fast, talked too loud, wore a colour he doesn't like . . . You reacted well when he bit your daughter. A sad face, a 'no bite' and a few minutes of being ignored in a time out will work, but you have to be consistent. You're truly still getting to know each other. Just proceed with caution and patience and you'll be able to avoid most bites.

I definately don't believe once an addict always an addict. I have alot of friends who fell hard for the musician's lifestyle in the 80's and abused every kind of drug available, but who've been clean for more than 15 years. However, the ones who have been successful did it with proffesional help, not one of them did it alone. They started with their doctors and went to rehab, attended 12 step programs ... There might be one person in 1,000 who can quit on their own, but I've never seen it happen. If love was enough to conquer his illness you wouldn't still be battling it, as it's clear what a giving and caring person you are. I would recommend you look into a group like Narcotics anonymous. They are life-savers for people with addicts in their lives, and can help you draw boundaries for yourself so you keep yourself well. You can't help anyone else if you're so depleted you can't protect yourself. I hope you soon find stability and happiness again in your own life. Love, Marguerite

Thanks for sharing Gus with us. I love the beatboxing:)

Oh, and Dave, if you want a speedy scooter, do what the seniors in Holland do. They swap out the motors! I'm not kidding. We were driving along with my cousins one day along-side a scooter/bike path, and the octogenarians were moving faster than we were in the car:blink:

I'm so glad Francis found you. It's clear from your questions that you are a very caring parront. Looking forward to the 'after' picture of a fully feathered birdy, even if it's months from now. Karma to you, and keep us posted.

Just to be clear, this is meant to be a purely humorous post. Last thing I'd ever want to do is offend anyone's religious belief. I just love being part of a group that loves and cares for the animals they bring into their lives as much as everyone here on the forum does. Also, as I change Dorian's water for the fourth time in a day, then go back to cleaning his home and making his toys, and surfing the web for more things to make his life great, a thought like "I wish someone would spoil me like this" does pop into my head:P

Yep, there's a reason that the word patience appears soooo much on this site. Without it, and each other, I'm pretty sure we'd be even more nutty than we already are.

Sorry, can't help ya Dave. This is the way my brain works, without any pharmaceutical or alchoholic assistance. Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, just the way it is.

OK, so I know it's cliche to start this in January, but I have an incredibly shallow motivation to get on track. A friend from college, where I studied Jazz performance, is doing a show in March to celebrate his 50th birthday. Although I've seen Dan once in the past year, there's a good chance that many people I haven't seen in over 20 years will be there. Sort of a compressed college reunion, as it will only be people I actually liked:P Problem is I was a size 9 last time they saw me, and now you can multiply that by a 2:( Is there anybody out there that wants to join me and start the new year out on a healthier note?

Hi. I was wondering if anyone here has had surgery for Carpel Tunnel syndrome. I've been diagnosed with it extrememly severe in my right hand, and severe in my left. Cutting into my wrist makes me nervous, :sick: and I know I'll go mental not being able to play piano for a few weeks. Also wondering how you bird reacted to bandages and not being able to perch on the preferred hand.

Well, I always loved my mom's name, Grace Yvonne. Take it from one who knows, give her something easy to spell. It will save her alot of grief over her life. Love, M-a-r-g-u-e-r-i-t-e :lol:

OK, so I've been thinking about the language we use here on the forum everyday. We talk about letting your bird choose you, and give karma to people as signs of approval or encouragement. If we take these things further, could it be that the bird that 'chooses' us is a soul re-entering our life. If so, (and here's the big question of the day) . . . Is coming back as the grey of a greyforum member a step UP on the karmic scale, or a step DOWN?:side:

Glad your baby seems to be feeling better. I guess all of us here have a tendency to err on the side of caution, because we know how well greys hide illness. Good luck with your vet visit.

Hello and welcome to you and Bella. As you'll learn as you and Bella get to know each other, there are no absolute rules when it comes to what greys like and don't like. I don't think it's that most greys don't like kids. I think it's more due to the noise and fast movements that kids make. Is your nephew quiet and calm around Bella? Just keep reminding him that she's just a baby, and they could end up being good friends. The same rule actually applies to all people who want Bella to trust them. Lots of calm, positive interaction, favourite treats, and praise, praise, praise, goes a long way with our birds. Have fun reading here and ask questions if you can't find the answers. This is a great group of caring and knowledgeable people.

Hello and welcome Abe. It's so nice to hear of a person inheriting a family bird like ThaThaMo who loves her as much as you obviously do. Dave's given you some great specific responses. He's our Dr. Flock, so we all listen up when he speaks (well, types;) ). If she was used to bathing with your father she may be craving a good soaking. Try misting her with 100% aloe juice and see how she reacts. If she loves it, try taking her into the bathroom. Some people here let their bird bathe in a sink under running water, some fill up a tub with an inch or two of water and put their bird in, some use shower perches and put their bird under the shower spray. Just introduce her slowly to the idea and if she shows fear back off and take it even slower so you don't damage your trust relationship. Any way, if you finish off with a misting of the Aloe juice it will do great things for her skin and feathers. If you have someone else trim her nails, don't let her see or hear you in the room while it's being done, then rush over and "rescue" her. That way she won't associate you with whatever trauma she feels having it done. As for changing her cage, here's what worked for me and Dorian, and he is a very fearful bird, timid even for a grey. I let him see me put together the new cage across the room, all the while sounding happy and excited about it. Then over the course of a week I moved it closer to his existing cage, always in the morning so he had a full day to get used to its' new spot. When the cages were close enough together, I joined them together with a rope perch, then let him see me put his favourite food in the food dish. I had to change the water and treat a few times, but by the end of the second day his curiosity (and greed for the treat) got the better of him and he went into the new cage on his own. The only downside of this technique is that you have to have both cages set up at the same time, so you have to have enough perches and non-scary toys on hand to do it. Worked like a charm here though. I teared up reading about her talking in your dad's voice. I live with my elderly father, and although Dorian is totally my bird, he loves to talk in my father's voice. I've often thought how nice it will be to still hear dad's voice after he passes. Karma to you for loving your dad's bird and giving her a loving home.

Hi Kevin. I wondered if or when another Dorian owner would appear on our forum. Welcome to our group. Marguerite and Dorian

I want to welcome you to the forum. There really should be a warning label here. Something like: "Warning, the kindness, intelligence, humour and experience demonstrated by our memebers my intice someone already suffering from Multiple Bird Syndrome to leap into the world of Grey"