rbpittman

Oh Jay, that's too scary to think about - I'm more than happy with my less than "perfect" companion and learning about their idiosyncrasies, that's what makes them them. Otherwise all I'm looking at is a robot of what once was, there's no mystery, no bonding, no joy in learning the trust and living with life's next challenge. So glad I'm not alive then. Robin

It's great to see Spock with so much energy and bathing! Keep up the great work Spock, you never cease to amaze me us with your antics. Robin

WTG Tobie & Jan. You give me great hope for Beau! Robin

Mojo is so beautiful and loves the camera apparently - the flight to you was amazing! He's not just a good kid - he's a great kid! Thanks for sharing. Robin

Be careful there, he may want Chocko to go on other calls with him, to hand him this wrench or that clamp! WTG Chocko, very good job!

Jay, It's with mixed emotions I wish you happiness in your retirement. For all those you have already helped and for those who will need your help is my conflict, but I know in your heart of hearts that you have done all you can do. It takes a special person to do the amount of work that is required in caring for, rescuing and re-homing birds. You and Maggie deserve this. It does make me very happy to know that our forum will have more of your knowledge and companionship and for that I'm eternally grateful. Robin

Someone has taken my lovely sweet Dixie and left Jill's Harvey here! Dixie was sitting with LP this afternoon on the sofa in the living room - not a room she is usually in with out my hubby - but not one that's foreign to her. From the sofa Dixie flew to the top of the curtains - about 15 feet away. This was a major distance for the change in altitude that was required to reach the top of the curtains and something new for Dixie. While I wasn't overly happy she was on the curtains, it didn't really bother me. I asked her to step up and she did, very quickly. Or at least I thought it was Dixie. It was time to go back to her cage (I had to leave shortly) so off to my office we go. Seemed like the same Dixie I've always had.......until. I opened the cage door, and every time I would get her near her perch, flop, backwards she would go. This happened at least 4 times. The worst part was she wanted to hold onto my finger with her beak!, and it hurt! I finally got her on her perch, and was closing the door and this precious little face looks up at me and says, ever so sweetly "Help!". What am I going to do with her??? Lol! Robin

Those sticky things are making you better Spock, I know they hurt, but I promise they are helping. Glad to hear your weight is holding, keep getting stronger and healthier every day. We love you Spock! Robin

I didn't have to wait until tomorrow to see Dixie fly. She did so twice today, extending her distance by about 3 feet. The first flight was from her cage to the top of Beau's cage - almost to the back of it. This was pretty cool as her lift off was from a lower spot on her cage - the door itself, not her porch or the top. Watching her gain height was glorious and instantaneous. The second flight I was ready for, well almost. I was standing at the door of my office and called her from Beau's cage. She didn't respond immediately, but she did take off. Unfortunately she didn't fly directly to me. She landed on Bean's & Blue's cage. This was not a good thing as they were both out and about on the top of their cage! With some gentle words of suggestion (No Dixie, off Blue's cage)did she finally step up (we had to employ the step-up stick - she refuses to step up on it, but will gladly step up on my fingers then - I only have to have it in my hand, never near her). I didn't get the chance to praise her as this is not a place for her to be! I shoo Bean off her cage any time he ventures in the wrong direction (Dixie is very cage territorial). It has been an eventful day to say the least and I was being deprived of her flights because I had not had enough time to spend with her for the last few days. Robin

Congrats on Mikey's arrival. He's such a beautiful baby! I've also heard that the feather's quivering only on the chest is a sign of contentment. So I'm going with that one...lol. If' he isn't interested in the veggies you've fixed for him you may have to show him how to eat them - and that's really easy - you eat them. I guarantee if he's like Dixie or Beau he will eat what you are eating in a heartbeat! Ask all the questions you want, read the forums, you'll find a wealth of information here and we all love to talk about our greys and hear about everyone else's. Robin

and now knowing how intelligent Mo-jo is - don't insult our greys and tell anyone else they are a bird brain...lol.

It's amazing how much difference feathers on a wing can mean to a bird. Beau's problems with his right wing having no flights or secondary feathers has created major issues with balance, thus he doesn't do a lot of the same things Dixie does. He can't go from room to room on my shoulder, I have to carry him close to my body when he's on my fingers, and when misting or bathing I have to keep him steady. With the new flights coming in, as they get longer, his balance is improving tremendously. This has gone a long way to improving his independence and confidence. The last week has brought about more independence in exploring his cage and toys while I'm in my office. Generally he wants only to wander the floor, sit on my desk, shoulder, or the playstand. He does play with a few toys on the floor, but today he's much more active on his cage, going up and down his boing, and actually reaching down for things and playing and chewing. It seems his interest is peaked as his balance is improved. I'm so proud of Beau! Robin

Make sure you watch the video that comes with the harness and follow the instructions to a T. Beau has done very well with the harness, we're still working on it with Dixie but there's a difference in bird personality and age. The younger, the better! Robin

Dixie is very much my husbands bird, even though I know she loves me. He goes out of town for work 6-8 weeks at a time and the first few days the phone is on speaker quite often for her to "talk" to him. She's even gotten to the point of calling him herself, ringing the phone and saying hello in my voice and then "i see you" in his voice. She misses her daddy...lol. Indy probably is punishing you for going back to work after so much time on vacation (a week is just long enough to figure it should be that way forever!) Give him time, continue your trust building and so glad there was a clean bill of health from the vet. Robin

I agree with what Dan, especially since Harvey is so predictable...lol. Beau loved the new playstand we bought immediately, but then again, he's not been afraid of anything either. Dixie has always been more reserved and still refuses to go near it. Go with your gut feeling on how Harvey will respond and WE WANT VIDEO OF THIS ONE! lol. Robin

Beau was 16 weeks old when I brought him home and recovering from an illness so I have some idea what you're asking as his progress was much delayed. At 7 months he's still very much a baby. There's loads of head scratches. That's what he yearns for. Toys - well you may have to show him how to play with them - literally. Even to the point of chewing on some of them yourself. You can also introduce new foods the same way. Pretend to take a bite, then offer to your baby. Remember, the mouth has the worst bacteria around for your baby so no open mouth kisses and nothing that has been in your mouth. There will be lots of stumbles and bumbles, especially for the very young since they may not be as sure of foot so low perches may be required in the cage. You can also put towels into the bottom of the cage to cushion the fall if that should happen - and it probably will. Keeping your baby near you is important, but not necessarily on you all the time. They need to learn about playing and keeping themselves entertained when you are not right there. This keeps them from getting bored as well. Changing toys often is a good thing as well, they will explore and chew. This helps with their independence as well. Foot toys and hanging toys offer different types of stimulation so both are great to have around. I think the biggest thing you can do for your baby is to be consistent. Don't rush in an take your baby out of his cage the minute you get home, do what you need to do, and then go to them. This keeps them from expecting you to run to them the minute you walk into the room that they are in. If you baby calls for you, call back, let them know you are there and that you will be coming back to them. Most of all, enjoy your baby, love him and relish the time together. Live in the moment. Robin

Congrats on Mojo's homecoming! I know how excited you must be. I had to wait only a few days for Dixie and that was terrible. So glad to hear that Mojo has settled into his cage so nicely and is happy. Can't wait to hear how the first snuggles and birdy kisses go. I know Mojo will be covered in both! Great pic's by the way. Thanks for sharing!

Unfortunately I don't have any new progress to report on Dixie. This week has been extremely busy with dr.'s appointments and I knew I wouldn't have as much time to spend with her. We have done some flapping daily, but her new love of flapping and hanging upside down has now turned into just hanging upside down and twisting around. I'm home for the rest of the week so maybe she'll surprise me with something new tomorrow or the next day. Robin

There are many of us here who are avid Harrison's fans. This is what I feed my greys and conures. I weened my Beau onto the Harrison's coarse using Judy's method of a little apple juice to slightly soften them and he made the transition fine. This is your opportunity to get your baby weened onto the pellet of your choice, and that may or may not be Harrison's. I would talk to your breeder and your vet before deciding on the pellet you choose to ween to. By the way - I love the questions you're asking - they are great! Robin

Ok Adina, you're going to have to tell us how to make that toy, all I could find were the pieces parts for it and Emma truly enjoys it and now I want one for Dixie and one for Beau and one for ..... Robin

Dixie will only lay on her back if she's in my hand, forget any other time. So lovely to watch Emma play and have a grand time.

Dixie knows her name, I realized this when she got herself stuck and called my son with "LP, Help, Help Dixie." Robin

Jooles, thanks for taking their inspiration and sharing yours with us. Again, thank you for saying in words much better than my own the feeling's I feel for Jay & Maggie and Spock and my desires that Spock get well soon. Thank you. Robin

Jooles, thank you for penning the most appropriate words that we have all been looking for to convey to Ramsabi and Rishi in this time of need. I could not have put them together with such eloquence, but you have said what is on my heart. Thank you for speaking for all of us who wish only the best for our dear friends.

Great site - I've been looking for something to put on my window's in the office to help make it less "see through." Curtain's aren't an option and the bamboo shades still let you "see" in at night! This will definitely do the trick! Robin