katana600

Jamal, we have moved extensively for fifteen years and the most valuable and satisfying part has been to live in big multicultural cities in international locations. I usually use cooking to break through to new people and share. You could make a fabulous contribution to our forum through the off topic discussions to share your culture with us, be an ambassador and diplomat. The beauty of this forum is the respect and shared love for our African greys, but a huge benefit has been learning and sharing with other people in other countries and cultures. If you generalize about the country you live in and basic geographical area, it would not break privacy. You do bring up a good point about not being specific, but first names and cities really help others get to know us a little better once we have decided to stick around. For instance, I love knowing Lyn and others are from the UK.. when she first used the term chuffed, it confused me because I thought it meant angry or put out. But, since we are not from the same origin, I asked respectfully and discovered it was a good thing. I am certain that most people are here to share their love of all shades of grey and to be openminded and find the good in the intentions of our forum family.

Oh my. These are sensational pictures of an exquisite boy. My favorite is #3 from the top. His expression is one of pure admiration for his adoring photographer. These pictures show his vitality and brilliance. Thanks so much for sharing and for the obvious love and care you have for Koka.

Breakfast time for early birds.

Okay Lyn, I might want to spoil him... a little. When he woke up this morning, I had some oatmeal ready with a little sweet potato and banana. This is the first time he was peeping and looking for me and showing he wanted to come out. It was awesome. I took him to the kitchen table, did the necessary weighing and meds and he got right to the oatmeal and then wanted the banana in my hand instead of his dish. This is the longest he has felt safe enough out of his cage not to fly back to it immediately. He wasn't out long, less than ten minutes when he started looking nervous and looking toward his cage so I put him back in where he is content eating and playing again. I just want to cuddle him, but he says not yet and I respect that.

As the day went on yesterday, Juno was getting more and more confident. Tom worked night shift so he is used to staying up until 2 a.m. so in the late evening he perks up. He got really excited when I showed him his bell, so I put it in there with him and he was a maniac. He hung upside down, clanged that bell and made all sorts of happy sounds. It is slowly warming up between us, we are both getting more confident in our interactions.

That floor is called man-space and he has a lounge where he can turn up the television or music without a word from me. He has all the room he needs and I promise not to tell him how to clean it or decorate it unless he asks. But... since Juno is one of the guys, he can take me down there and he can make some changes, LOL. Seriously, I don't like to be down there with all the sports and noise... and it is really messy.

Aw, that is a nice reunion for you. Yoshi really made you feel welcome when you came back. She took notes at the sitter though and will expect you to keep those goodies ooming and keep her in the manner in which she has become accustomed. I'm glad for you to be back with her again too.

LOL, you just didn't realize you had a music critic did you? Tell Benji to lead the way and see if he will let you play backup. Isn't it fun to have those priceless moments?

This is one of those moments to celebrate! Congrats to Alfie for having the good sense to know you are a suitable perch. I am so happy for you both. She will be doing your hair up and having a proper girl's spa night with you before you know it.

A girl with a mind of her own. I love that she chose her own name and it is a good one.

Dan, I thought fledging just meant they got the necessary feathers and made one flight. I had no idea it was a process. That makes sense. You helped me to get an idea that will help him. We have a carpeted room in the basement with a pool table. If I pad the table with blankets and hang blankets on the windows he will have a full fledging room. The bonus is it is soundproof from the upstairs so he won't hear the little four-legged family disgraces that make him flinch when they bark. I will start getting that room in order so after he has the vet clearance Friday we can start honing those flight skills. Thanks everyone for your input, it really helps through these shaky days of finding out that all the reading is helpful, but pale next to the real thing.

He is still very quiet today but has learned that good things come with my hands in his cage. He is eating everything. My kitchen looks like a science lab. When the Schwan man made a delivery, he sat next to the cage and Juno just glowed and showed off. He must have known what good treats come from that truck. Juno clucked, purred and peeped. He hung upside down from the top of his cage and then he sat by the door waving his foot to step up. It was amazing. When the man left, he looked up as if to say "You again? bring back that other guy." I see signs throughout the day that he is getting comfortable.

So, Bernie didn't lose his hair from the top of his head, it just slid?

The last thing I expected was for the two of them to have conversations, but she is eliciting little peeps and murmurs from him already. She has a game she plays with me where she leads with a tune and I match. If I get it wrong, she give me a buzzer sound. Today she must be getting to feel like the rabbit and tar baby. When she regales Juno with her repertoire and he doesn't answer her, she is giving him the buzzer. This is all just keeping me laughing. Laughter is the best part of life.

I don't know much about the quarantine process, but surely you would be able to visit her there. We took our animals overseas and back but didn't have a parrot at the time. It would be worth your while to bring her with you if you can so you don't wonder how she is managing without you. We left our dog with friends when we first went overseas and then came home to get her and it was the longest 18 months of my life. Of course you will do what is best for your girl working with what you have, but if you can move heaven and earth to bring her with you, it would be worth it.

Emma is such a sweet little girl. She is always the charming entertainer and is encouraging to all. What a fun and calming way to close the day.

He just smelled that fresh meat from your thumb Bernie, thought you were feeding him natural style.

The biggest concern I had with getting Juno was that it might decrease Java's freedom and enjoyment of our home. That worry is quickly dissipating. In 2 1/2 years, she didn't speak clearly more than fifteen words total. Since finding Juno she started jabbering a lot more. Since getting the recorder and playing back at slow motion, I identified some phrases and my effort to understand her has motivated her to speak more clearly. Juno has been here less than two days and I have heard more chatter and seen a much more gentle and solicitious little red-bellied parrot. She sweetly chirps to him and calls him pretty pretty birdie. I have heard her say: want out, wanna get out, come here, whattaya doin? whattaya doin' buddy. Over and over she is blowing him kisses. It is amazing. Little did I know she was a coy little minx.

We are trailing you by about a month, so your post is very interesting and exciting. Nobody understands like our forum friends. Our other friends may like our birds and be entertained by them occasionally, but unless you have enjoyed their unique and captivating personalities up close and deeply committed, it is hard to imagine the joy they bring. I suspect my family and friends give each other "the look" that says I've gotten dotty or else developed a skill for lying when the bird comes up. LOL. Thanks for sharing with us. It just gets better and better doesn't it. Life is good.

It is well said that your little bird will never know it is different. She will amaze you with her abilities and work hard to compensate for any difficulties she encounters. She will probably learn to crack nuts even, she doesn't have to bite them, just train you how to use a tool, LOL. She is going to be ever more dear to you. Glad you had a nice homecoming. Brooke comes to mind to go with Willow and Pippin.

It really started as a joke, but you know, the sticker on his little travel cage is also a reminder to my family to tread softly, give him room, treat him with respect or he could grow up to be a biter. He was getting curious last night to get out of the cage. I turned off all the lights in the house except the living room and moved the dogs to the bedroom to give him quiet. I thought he might sit on my lap on a blanket. He and Java are very interested, making soft noises to each other. He tried to fly to her. She is right next to the stairs, he hovered but couldn't land on her cage and had his first crash landing at our house. My heart is still in my throat. Juno flew into the stairs bannister in slow motion, he fell about a foot onto a two level stand, then rolled and tumbled to the lower shelf and onto the floor. I stayed calm, he stayed calm and he just walked over for me to pick him up. Considering his wing was hurt recently, I will minimize his chances to be out until the vet sees him at the end of the week. I just have to say, the sound his wings make, and the grace of carrying himself slowly across the room is nothing short of inspirational. The landing skills... not so much.<br><br>Post edited by: katana600, at: 2009/11/09 12:29

When we had a large dog and two cats, I got a large wicker box-like chest. It was turned at an angle into a corner and had an entry for the cats cut out on the side towand the wall. The cats had light and privacy in there. They would hop right up and scoot behind it. It was too tall for the dog to get behind it. The best part was the top was hinged, so it made it easy to clean. You will find a happy compromise for everyone. Good luck.

That is a surreal video, nothing I have ever seen or even concieved of seeing. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure. They are beautiful, like graceful dancers.

Thanks for the information Jill, we are all connected and I took two minutes for remembrance of the sacrifices of all the servicemen who are part of our heritage. Will do on Wednesday as well.

He is still such a baby... can't read yet, LOL. I won't show him the pictures and he isn't much on being behind me. LOL. I am pretty sure he will have a sense of humor about it though. He takes toys and food from my hand. I have had him out of the cage a couple of times, but he still flies back to the cage. He flew into the stair banister and tumbled and since he has had an issue with his wing, I am discouraging the flights until his vet check up on Friday. So, I let him step up on my hand and come out of the cage, but as soon as he looks back and wants back in I sit close and let him get right back to his comfort zone. He is very quiet and just watching everything. He does not much care for the two little dogs... four legged beasts, featherless, flightless, ground-dwelling vermin.