rbpittman

I'm a lorikeet! Go figure!

Well I'm starting this meeting early - have to chaperone at the game tomorrow night and with the week I've had, I need more than a few - 6 or 7 might do the trick. We'll just take the 5th and cuddle up to watch survivor!

Why don't skeletons go to scary movies?

This is why Jill is the founder of F.A.R.T. and S.P.E.W. Maybe you should change careers and save the vet bills!

My question is rather stupid - want to get the idiots going here with me - why do we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway?

Well I've missed classes again today due to another conference with district and school officials. Hopefully everything is now resolved and Paul can go back to school. Apparently there have been some personnel changes....??? It's amazing when you call them on the authority they feel they have and don't that an educator with his doctorate would stoop as low as threatening a child. If I weren't a law student I would have had to pay for the advice, but fortunately, having access to real lawyers who teach us has helped tremendously. Especially my torts/property law instructor and my civil litigation instructor who wants to take the case pro bono just to teach them a lesson! Sometimes the little guy does win in the end!

We have three birds - Dixie (grey), Sterling (U2) and Tequila Blue (sun conure). I couldn't imagine not having all of them. They are like children with very distinct individual personalities and that's what makes having the number of them so fun. Clean up - not much different than having just one bird, the only thing it takes just a few minutes more than with only one. Fixing breakfast requires a tray to carry bowls, a little longer on the clean-up and twice as much fun and conversation with my little guys while serving each. Just imagine the joy you already have multiplied! Plus you get to talk about each one that much more to your friends. Look to the positives, but also weigh the costs that are concerned and be realistic. You can never give them too much love, time or happiness, you already have that in abundance!

Hell would be putting it mildly! Two weeks of dealing with a school principal who is on a mission to harm a child (mine) and has crossed the line like you wouldn't believe. I never thought someone in that position of responsibility would stoop so low as to go on a vendetta against a child because his parents questioned his authority to force a child to watch a video that was not authorized by the parent. Needless to say Paul is on his second day of being at home. The threats continued even after a district administrator informed him to stop. On top of that, George died, we have Tequila Blue (Sun Conure) and Sarah's car died on Sunday. I had just replaced the battery in it and while driving it to her at work, it didn't exactly blow up, but with a cracked head, needing a new radiator, water pump, honing out the cylinders and new rings, we were looking at almost $3,600 in repairs. I brought home a new-used Mini Cooper for her. The things we parents do for our kids! Now I have to teach her how to drive it - not an automatic! I guess the bright spot in this scenario is I get to drive around in the mini until she's got it mastered! Zoom Zoom!

Oh Pat, he is such a beautiful creature! I can't thank you enough for taking him in, loving him so much and sharing him with us. He shines from the love and care that you are giving him and this encourages all of us to do the same for our fids. Wonderful photo's, thanks again for the updates and sharing - now teach me how to post the pictures in the forum!

We have our lovely new addition Tequlia Blue - the sun conure. He is absolutely wonderful! I never thought such a small bird could be so cuddly and loveable. Blue is 13 weeks old and is eating Zupreem natural pellets. When I say eating - I mean eating. He eats everything I give him completely. When his bowl is empty, I give him more, and he eats all of that. I have watched him for two days straight now and he eats until the bowl is empty and he doesn't stop to play and eat more, he eats, gets a drink, and eats more. My question - how much is enough? I've never seen any of my birds like he does. Dixie eats a little, plays a lot, eats a little more, etc. Sterling eats his breakfast, goes about his day, eats his afternoon snack, and then dinner (same as Dixie). I have a little eating machine!

Excellent advice on the time - Sterling is a rehome and we too ignore his fits, fortuntely, his only agression is to my Grey Dixie. Other than that - he's a peach, cuddly to the max. As with all birds, they require the same one thing and that is a true demand - patience - without it you have an unhappy bird and an unhappy owner.

OH MY! I see what I missed by missing a meeting - yes, I'm late as usual, this time only by three (3) days. Have a new member of the flock (see other posts under other birds) and have named him appropriately - TEQUILA BLUE. Now will get to spend more time with my favorite consumption in one form or another! BOTTOMS UP EVERYONE! (well not Bernie)

Thanks for the kind words. I feel so terrible since this is something I could have prevented.

I'm doing this in two different posts since I don't want one to overshadow the other. Part 1 explains the loss of George. Part 2 is much happier. Mom took Paul out to spend some time with him Saturday and when they came home they were not alone! Meet Tequila Blue! He's a 3 month old Sun Conure who has taken the heart of my little boy. Blue has a new cage and loves to cuddle and be cuddled. Paul has already managed to get this precious baby to lay on his back in his hand! He sounds like a dolphin when he chirps and is long clipped so he can fly some. He sleeps in Paul's room with him. Blue is completely on pellets but does enjoy a pistachio every now and then. This morning he enjoyed warm oatmeal with Paul at breakfast. I'm sure there will be more fun to come so I'll keep you posted. Ok, I'll have to learn to post pictures - look at my profile for Blue! He's a cutie.<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/09/21 16:24

The last two weeks have been extremely long and difficult in our household. A while ago Gracie, our lovebird died and left George her mate alone. George seemed to handle the loss and was thriving with the help of Paul, my son. Paul took this untamed little bird and turned him into a shoulder/head ornament, who like giving kisses and eating dinner with us. Unfortunately George was found dead one morning. I called the vet, wanting to know why and to protect the rest of the flock. Apparently George, and probably Gracie too, had ingested polyester fiber fill from the bed he had destroyed the bottom of. This was damage I could not see, but did find pieces of the fluff on the bottom of the cage when I returned home. George and Gracie both loved this type of nest/toy and would sleep cuddled together in it. When Grace died, she died inside it and I replaced it for George. He too passed away inside the nest. I've posted a pic on my profile of George and Grace and this particular nest/toy. This loss has been devastating to our family, especially for my son. His experience with the birds was just beginning, but he had learned so much about patience and building trust from working with Dixie and Sterling that he put it into play with George. He built a bond and relationship with him that no one had expected or thought would happen. We do have some good news, but that will be in another post.

I'm so glad to hear that Macy is doing better and will be coming home. Did the vet say what the problem was? Very concerned here, the information you have may one day save another grey. Glad to know Prayers were answered and she will be home soon!

Supernova wrote: I think woman make better drivers than men because they dont show off. I'm glad you've never seem me drive Bernie, I have a little bit of a lead foot, and love to make my little sports car take off, overtake, and leave sittin' in my dust a few of those other cars....lol. Once upon a time I managed to get out a traffic ticket - doing about 70 mpg in a 45 zone, on a deserted little highway. All alone in the car, rose bush in the back seat, boom box in the front with a cooler of Coke's and a bag of goldfish. The officer, in his officer way, asked me if I knew how fast I was going and what I was doing. Politely told him "no, I'm sorry, I was listening to the music, drinking a coke and eating some goldfish....want some?" He busted out laughing. He asked who the rose bush was for (my father I informed him) and then told me to slow down a little, Dad would still like to get the rose bush. Took a coke, a handful of goldfish and followed me for 20 miles. No ticket though!

Pat, you have my heart felt sympathy about Destiny's disappearance. I had a 15 year old Schnauzer named Max. One night after a long busy day I was going to bed, and of course telling all the little heathens goodnight (the three pugs and three children) and went to my room to say goodnight to Max before going to bed myself. We had a dog door and because of his age, he spent most of his day in his bed, in my room. Unfortunately, there was no Max. After about a 20 minute search I found him, quietly laying behind the shed, already gone. I was heartbroken. My dad helped with the situation in telling me how dogs know when it's their time and he was trying to spare me the burden by going off to die. He go as far away from me as possible, in a place I would never normally go. While I hope you find Destiny and get the much needed closure of knowing he is either safe or went peacefully, remember the care you gave him and if it was his time, the care and love he was trying to give to you.

Have to work concessions at the ballgame tonight, but am dropping by early to make sure I'm present and accounted for. Will be needing the drinks (plural)since the day has already started off with a bang. Nothing like meeting with school principal and dristic official's at 7:30 a.m. Seems they don't understand that you can't say and do things one way and then change the rules for something else. End run around parents rights and responsibilities.

My son is a bizzare kid if you ask me, absolutely not normal. He plays - french horn, trombone and timpani for concert band; trumpet and mellophone for marching band; tenor sax and drums in the jazz band; and fills in occassionally on the break drum, snare and vibes. He's a weird kid and catch this - when he grows up - he wants to fly fighter jets. Don't have a clue where he came from - my other three aren't at all like him. Oh and did I say he's 13 - he turned 13 in July.<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/09/09 15:17

Hi, I'm Robin and I'm part of F.A.R.T. I've missed two meetings in a row and I'm making up by showing up early (or late - take your pick). I've missed the strippers, the revelations of those who are part of this group with me, and apparently two weeks of my life. In all honesty - classes started back on the 24th and with 5 of them plus fids and family - I haven't had time to drink. That really is a shame! See everyone on Friday.

Dan, I'm addressing two of your posts in one here so bear with me a little. First of all on the cockatoo. I have one - Sterling - a 9 year old Umbrella Too who is one of the lights in my life. He is sweet, cuddly, charming, entertaining and a delight to be around. He is also, loud (extremely), high energy, constantly stuck on my shoulder when out of the cage and I'm around. He craves attention to the point of demanding it. He loves my son, my daughter and my mother - he can't stand my husband or my father. When either of them are in the room with me or my son, he throws a temper tantrum, squaking at top volume, stomping around his cage, wings out, tail flared and comb at it's fullest. He's protecting his territory and we are part of that territory. We acquired Sterling after his previous owner died and the family was going to send him to the ASPCA here. The mytoos site is not exaggerated, they are extremely accurate. Too many of these creatures end up with severe plucking problems because they don't get the attention they get used to in the honeymoon stage of ownership. 2's have a tendancy to require more consistency in their routines, and are very time cognitive. All that said - Sterling is perfect in our home, my husband loves him to death and is constantly doing his best to approach this bird and earn his trust. Second - regarding your post about your schedule. Sterling is my son's bird, and he is a 13 year old middle school student in the gifted and talented program at school. He participates in Quest and serves on the yearbook. He is a Star Scout in Boy Scouts working on Life and then will work toward Eagle. LP (my son) is also in his second year of marching band with the local high school. That said you already have a clue on his schedule since your girlfriend is a band director (I already love her for that!). LP works very hard on maintaining consistency in his schedule with Sterling. When LP sits down to do his homework, play video games, or at his computer, he does so with a Sterling on his arm. (We don't allow Sterling on LP's shoulder) or the back of the chair or his playstand very close by. LP gets up 20 minutes earlier than usual to spend time with Sterling in the morning, getting breakfast, cleaning his cage and telling him what the day holds. Believe it or not, Sterling knows that Tuesday and Thursday are marching practice days and that LP won't be home until 6:30. Friday's are killer for us since there's the football game. Sterling has experienced two of these so far, but with continued explanation of what is going on, things are going well. LP's schedule is killer - Monay through Friday - 8:00 am - 4:00 pm he's in school (those are departure and arrival times). Monday nights - Scouts for 1 1/2 hours. Tuesday and Thursday - not home until 6:30 for marching practice. Wednesday - private lessons for 1 1/2 hours. Friday night football games. Saturday - marching competition in the fall (he has one Saturday not used between now and November). Plus the monthly camping weekend with the Scouts. The only way this works is that the entire family steps up to the plate to make time in their day for the birds. Sterling's out of cage time is about 2 hours in the morning with LP, 2 hours in the early afternoon with me, and then from the time LP gets home to bedtime. Sterling even showers with LP on a daily basis now. It can be done, but the committment and time required is exhausting if don't plan it out. When we brought Sterling home, LP was out of school for the summer, had just returned from summer camp, and didn't have the hectic schedule. That was the time for bonding and learning about each other. When the schedules changed, life was very different and the obvious honeymoon was over. Much more vocalization and lots more learning on our parts about the needs of a U2. What we have now is a very happy boy and a very happy bird. Sterling has learned ambient attention from me, contact attention from LP, and tolerance of my husband, sorta. It took a few weeks of getting into this happy place - lots of screaming from Sterling because he didn't understand the changes, and lots of patience on the parts of all of the family members involved. To make this story even longer - I'm a full time law student (5 classes this semester), committee member for the Scouts, band booster webmaster and public relations officer who works concessions on Friday nights, chief cook and bottle washer of the household and full time taxie driver for the 13 year old son. Our household includes Sterling the U2, Dixie Bird Grey (18 month old CAG), three pug dogs (Chow, Sushi & Mooshu), George (lovebird) and of course my hubby, son and daughter (20). I'm absolutly insane. Hope this helps you in deciding on which bird to be owned by.

Both Sterling and Dixie are chipped - and I have no clue where on their bodies they are, but our vet recommended it since they can't feel it after the minor swelling goes down, and it's easily done. The leg band could (minor possiblity) get caught on something either in the cage or outside which could injure them. Those are the words of my vet - Sterling came with a leg band, Dixie was already chipped.

HIC is where we all are when we aren't at F.A.R.T.

Sunday morning Mom came over and as usual she walks in the back door unannounced. Well, that won't happen again! Dixie promptly responded to the closing of the door with "hello". I heard her, and I was in the kitchen, some 75 feet away! Mom, not at all startled since she loves Dixie and cares for her when I'm off with my son, promptly answered Hello Dixie, how are you? Dixie replied with "OK". None of this is really all that surprising - vocabulary wise, but the appropriate use of the words was wonderful to hear. To shock us all, when Mom was leaving, she stuck her head in my office to say goodbye to Dixie, and Dixie responded back "Bye, Bye, going home?" After a brief conversation between Mom and Dixie, it became a quick realization that no one will ever be able to walk in that backdoor unannounced again, Dixie is forever on watch!