lovethatgrey

Hi!! Welcome aboard and glad you joined!!

For now, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just enjoy your precious time together!!

Yay for Jilly and Harvey!! Count your blessings and enjoy it while it lasts!!

Here is my opinion, I don't think it would be fair for Bear to be separate from his " human flock" for a full week, every single month. Of course I have no clue as to what type of relationship you wish to have with your african grey. I have 2 parrots and although they co-exist peacefully with each other, their companionship isn't a "replacement" or as valuable to them than the time that they spend with their favourite humans. I know my consistent presence and time with them means A LOT to them and has a big influence on our relationship today. I believe that you get what you put into the relationship. An absence of that duration on a regular basis will definitely have an impact on the personality of your parrot. Not necessarily a positive one either. As for being less cuddly as they the get older. At two years old, Emma is the cuddliest that she's ever been her entire life. I'm pretty sure the reason for this is because of the the time, work and effort we put into her.

Here's a recording of my girlie again. My voice isn't in this recording. This is all Emma. Here's a list of some of what she is saying. What a great kiss! I'll be back You want some mashie? Hi Sachi! I love you Sachi. Emma, I love you strong and tight, for ever and always.. Wow!! Peekaboo First come marriage, then comes... R is for Rockstar I is for Washington Oh oh!! G is for Rockstar! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfblHbzrzXw

I never offer any type of peanuts to my flock and certainly won't consider it after reading this article. http://www.avianweb.com/aspergillosis.html

Personally, I use newspaper and I pick up bundles of "old newspaper" from my former University library. I remove soiled papers EVERY single day.

Thanks for sharing guys. I appreciate everyone's feedback. As long as we are all mindful of this very important topic and we all take proper ownership of our responsibilties when a medical situation should arrive, is what matters most of all.

Be careful what you wish for Jilly!! It may happen alot sooner than you think!

That was an awesome read Dan!! Looking very forward to the next chapter!!

Thanks guys! Glad you all enjoyed Emma!

Shanti looks awesome!!

Please turn up your volumes. Here's another recording of my Emma. This is all Emma. Once again, my voice is not in this recording. As usual, I had to hide the camera so she wouldn't clam up. She's yakking all by herself and even imitating the sound of me blowing my nose. Lots of nonsense. Hope you enjoy Emma and her Emma-isms!! Here are some of the things she is saying in this recording... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNECqJ9DjLk One for the Money, two for the...? Potato Up Up Good Job, Two for the money.. First comes marriage, then comes mashie and carrots.. Jack broke his crown, Mommy has to go ok? We have to go and get some mashie.. Georgie Jack and Jill went up.. Whoa!! Come on my Sachi Good job!! I'll be back Get some potatoes and some vegetables... So much, so much... PO tato!!

Here's an idea applied by another parrot owner.. instead of paying for Pet insurance, put aside a fixed amount of money on a bi-weekly or monthly basis in a separate interest bearing savings account. When that " emergency situation" comes up, you have the benefit of having all the money you put aside, as well as a little bit of interest too. Unlike the mainstream "insurance plans" where you lose any money that you contributed.

I believe that this is a very important topic to think about and then the next course of action would be to DO something about it. Be pro-active. I am definitely of the mindset that ... "if you can't afford the VET, then you CANNOT afford the pet". This is also one of the many reasons why I limit myself to only 2 parrots. Should either of them fall ill or injure themselves, I know that I have it covered and will not feel that taking them to their avian vet is a "major financial sacrifice" nor feel any "added" stress to an already very stressful situation. Afterall, they are living creatures and need the same medical care that I would need if I were in a similar situation. I've read of too many situations where the parrot could have been saved or the situation "prevented" if the parront in question had taken the the parrot to seek vet care. Very often the parrot is left to "suffer needlessly" or DIE because the human cannot "afford" the vet expenses. Personally, I find this to be very regrettable and even shameful. Please do what is necessary to put money aside on a regular basis so that you have that "peace of mind" if ever you need to take your feathered babies to the vet. Thank you.

How exciting!!!! Looking forward to more and more updates!!!

Thanks everybirdie!! I don't have a video of that moment.. but yes I do have an old video of her saying "Hi Poopie!. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_SV-pjXLYo

Hi Hawkins cutie!!!

It's very surreal to me as well Judy. She started doing this about 3 weeks ago and does the flipping upside down every single time. I'm not sure if she enjoys the head rush but she seems to LOVE it and continues to do it each and every time. It's actually quite funny to see me walk across the room with an african grey hanging upside down beside me. When she does this, I bring my arm down, and hang it by my side and hold on to her like I were holding a bag of groceries!! LOL!! She's such a silly girlie. I really had no clue that having an african grey would be like this. I'm glad I took the risk .. otherwise I would have thought that I couldn't handle such an active parrot.

I will be starting Clicker training with my girlies this week. I am looking forward to this activity because it will add another dimension to my relationship with them. I wasn't able to locate a clicker but will be using a Ballpoint pen which happens to click very well. I'd like to hear from other members and their clicker training SUCCESSES please!

Thanks Jilly!!

What a cutie!!

Today I had Emma perched on my hand. I took her into the kitchen and asked her " would you like some water?" Emma said… "Hold on Poopie" (yes she calls me Poopie all the time) then she flipped herself over so she was hanging upside down while still hanging on my hand and looks at me and says.. "how ya doing?" So much for asking her a serious question huh?

I'll try to record one over the weekend!