rbpittman

Scotty, thank you so much for such great pictures. I hope Alexander enjoyed his BART ride - I know when I was on the West Coast it was my favorite form of transportation...lol. I really like the room Alexander has in his Pack O Bird, and I'm sure that will be the carrier I get for Dixie and Sterling. The room available appears to be about the same for both of the carriers though. The AP I looked at just didn't strike me as being as well made as the POB. Especially after seeing the AP in the local shop.<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/08/26 00:02

I am so glad to hear that Lily is safe at home now, and I feel terrible for the ordeal you and your wife went through. I could not begin to understand the feelings you must have been feeling. It is for this very reason that on Saturday I purchased two harnesses for my birds. Quite often I take them across the backyard to visit my parents and both have long clips, with the hope of their flight feathers growing in completely. The recent flurry of birds who have been lost is what drove me to the purchase. It has only been three days, but with intense work and training, I have been able to put Sterling's (U2) aviator on him and he is fine. Dixie (CAG) is a different story, but she's a totally different personality and bird. Your terrible story is a reminder to all of us, take the time to do the training or make sure they are safe. The consequences are unthinkable and you have had to live through the tragedy, fortunately with a good outcome. I hope your feet heal quickly and Lily doesn't have any long term ill effects. God bless you for sharing with us.

It would be great to see some pictures of Alexander in his Pack o Bird so we could get a comparision of the sizes. My local bird shop carries the AP and I was afraid it was too small for Dixie.

Guess this means I'm going to have to go back to the paper world for my bills....I've managed to get no junk mail for quite some time!

Head banging should only be done through really loud bad music. Jill I think we need to add this one to the "book" about possible things that send us to drink.

Tequila!

I worried about Dixie the same way for a week - while she would eat if I fed her, she sat on her food bowl all night long....which I felt was extremely uncomfortable for her. Slowly she started exploring the other perches and now has her favorite "roosting" spot where she sleeps during the night. She also has her favorite "nap" spot and she goes to it, even if her cage is open, to crab a quick cat nap. Congrats on Yoshi, you'll do great!

Dixie was clipped by the shop owner as a control device for the shop. All the birds in the shop are clipped. This allowed him to let the birds out of their cages, up onto play gyms and socializations with potential new parronts. First thing he said to me when we seriously discussed my getting Dixie. The pro's and con's of clipping. It is a personal decision and he will clip wings and nails free of charge as long as I have her, if I choose to have her clipped, however, he advocated strongly that she not be clipped if it was in my power to allow her to be flighted. Not all Grey owners have the ability to have flighted birds, either due to space restrictions (their safety) or varying other restrictions. First and foremost, all Grey owners consider in clipping/not clipping is how they can best care for their Grey's. For some that is keeping the bird clipped, for others not clipping. As lovethatgrey said "wing clipping is a personal decision". I'm sorry you received advice that has caused a change in your Grey, we are here to support you through this terrible time for you. -- Robin

I thought this was one of those free/self-help BYOB&B groups. Do you take visa? (BYOB = Bring your own Bird & Bottle) -- Robin<br><br>Post edited by: rbpittman, at: 2009/08/21 15:05

I'll pick you up - meeting of F.A.R.T. very important! -- Robin

I'll take two - never know when I need to send them off in different directions to handle situations...lol. I've never seen a mynah before, but remember my dad's favorite story about one he encountered. Seems it was at a friends house they visited and the first time there the bird scared dad half to death. Dad was from West Virginia (remember mid 1950's) and had never heard of this type of bird. His curiosity about the "thing" in the cage got the best of him and he had to see what was under the cover. So he peeked in, and the bird responded "Oh he## you scared the sh*t out of me". Of course everyone got a great laugh, and we know why the bird was covered when company came over. Mocha is quite beautiful even for being in the "ugly duckling" stage. Watching his growth is quite amazing. Thank you so much for the updates and sharing this beautiful baby with us. -- Robin

I have one of those on each of the birds cages (Dixie and Sterling) and while Sterling doesn't touch his - other than to poop all over it, Dixie uses uses hers as a perch to chew on other toys. She does occassionaly move the little pieces around. -- Robin

Given that every dog has their own personality like every grey does, you will just have to watch them and see how they react to each other for a long time and then never assume anything on either one's part. I have three pugs (Mooshu, Sushi and Chow) and they are not allowed in the room with Dixie. Dixie is easily startled it seems and will sometimes just jump off her porch or swing for no reason. While I trust Sushi and Chow (both are big chickens) I am afraid Mooshu would go after her - he chases the wild ducks in the yard. Sterling the U2 watches around his cage when the dogs are in the house - and he stays there. When they are outside he wanders off his cage and all through the house. Again, Sushi and Chow are scared to death of the birds (for no reason honestly), but Mooshu has some gumption and is curious. Never put either your puppy (which will grow up to be a dog) or your Grey in a position that they cannot possibly handle. Supervision is a must. Even the most careful parront cannot always predict what our animals will do.

I must get one of those harnesses. I doubt I could get Dixie in it, but Sterling loves to go wandering and I'm afraid he will fly off one day. Come to the beaches here Jill, warm water, lovely sand, small waves and beautiful skies.

Is it Friday yet??? Why am I always early for these meetings??? -- Robin

One more thing you absolutely cannot do while drunk: read: Fox in Sox by Dr. Suess Believe me, I had more fun making my ex's friends try to do that when they would come over and have a few too many....lol. -- Robin

Harley is so beautiful and he looks so healthy - and quite proud. Very different than the first pics you posted. He seems to realize that he's quite the bird and happy to show it. His feathers are magnificant. Please tell him I love how beautiful he looks and keep up the great work with this gorgeous creature. -- Robin

Lucky, I have a young (18 months) CAG and a 9 year old Umbrella Cockatoo, while the Grey talks quite a bit I don't know what you mean by fluently. It can take them years to say their first word if ever and then true work and dedication on the parront to help them (if they ever do) to recognize and comprehend items or use them cognitively. Dixie is very good at it and I'm extremely lucky, but it's taken constant conversation with her, just like you would with a child. The U2 on the other hand, says three things - hello, i love you and be right back. He's not had the constant conversation since I've only had him 6 weeks, but his abilities are not the same as Dixie's. I wouldn't expect any other grey to be compared with another bird of the same species. They are unique individuals and must be treated as such. -- Robin

I used to have an empty life at home when hubby and son were at work/school but now it is filled with chirping/squaking/happy playful birds! -- Robin

Hubby wasn't happy about being late.......but it was hysterical to watch Sterling taking his shower. All videos will be "fully covered" in the appropriate areas! -- Robin

I inquired about the Pack-o-bird for the purposes of carrying the fids back and forth to the vet, or in the instance that I really have to get the heck out of dodge quickly - hurricanes, etc. (Charleston, SC). For more than that - a cage would be more preferable, but for a quick evacuation I'll be carrying 3 dogs, 3 birds and kid. VW Beetle will only hold so much...lol. PS (Hubby will drive the suburban) -- Robin

I purchased one of those for Dixie and put the seed stick and she won't touch it - of course she won't touch seed either. Brilliant use of the toy to put the veggies in - how dumb of me not to think about it! Really glad you showed me the light! I love it. Thanks again! -- Robin

Obviously it's very important for our fids to bathe, and while I have no luck with Dixie (CAG) taking a bath (only in her water dish), I do spray her about three times a week with much protesting. Sterling on the other hand was used to being misted and seemed to enjoy it quite a bit, but his dander was still quite heavy leaving "white" on all of those who cuddled with him. While increasing the misting I also started taking him into the shower with me. After 5 weeks of this yesterday was a major milestone. Instead of just sitting on his shower perch, getting misted from the mister and watching me get wet, he jumped onto my arm and dove head first into the water from the shower. It was hysterical. That head going under the water from the shower head, those wings held up high and wide and my now having to move him around under the water. What used to take me 10 minutes turned into a 30 minute shower. He absolutely loved it. This morning during coffee and the paper (always shared with Sterling on my shoulder) hubby started the shower for himself. Off my shoulder Sterling jumped and headed across the bed. He jumped down on the floor and stood at the entrance to the bathroom looking at me like "hurry up!". Hubby adjusted the temp on the water, moved Sterling's shower perch to under the water and in went Sterling. Fifteen minutes later, one very wet U2 was ready to get out. He was soaked completely through and happier than I can express. Shaking his head, throwing water everywhere and making his singing sound. He even let me towel dry him. Talk about shocked! Unfortunately, hubby ran out of time for his shower and was late for work! -- Robin

I have Dixie (CAG) and Sterling (U2) and George (Lovebird). Only for a very short period of time was I able to have both Dixie and Sterling in the same room (cages). I had hoped that they would be friends or at least tolerate each other but fate didn't give us that. I had to move Sterling to our living room out of my office. He's very happy there as he's involved with more of the family and gets to be held and cuddled much more, so this was a good move for him. Dixie is spoiled rotten in my office, having free run. George gets out only when Dixie is on her playstand as he doesn't stray far from his cage or playtop that sits on it. I would love to get another CAG, as Dixie has decided that my husband is hers! Sterling is truly my sons. I know that even if I got another there would be no guaratee that he/she would be "mine" but wouldn't that be nice! -- Robin

I bought airtight glass containers for my fids food - one for the harrisons (dixie), one for zupreem (sterling), one for lovebird seed mix (george who won't touch a pellet) and one for their mix of dried fruit/nut bland. I had thought about the plastic type containers but with so many questions about the tnings that go into today's plastics, I've managed to remove almost all of them from my house. Glass doesn't absorb the oils that may be present in the foods and keeps them fresh. -- Robin