katana600

Aw Jake. Your description made me feel all warm and cozy too. Good for you and for Jake.

Were they just the cutest little babies? Very interesting study. Thanks for sharing the link.

Ivan knew your kindness. He was blessed by the tenderness of your touch. He was loved deeply. I watched his videos. He looks more like Gilbert not just in his physical self but the subtleness and a little uncertainty and in his quiet, watchful way.

That is such fun. I was going to say that is an African Grey version of the tossed salad. Judy beat me to it and I still couldn't resist. Way to go Alfie. I actually believe I saw some sampling of the salad going on amongst that hard work in the kitchen.

That sure looks fun and interesting. Love that your whole family gets involved with ideas for your playstand. It looks like a happy place to hang out.

All I can say is wow. This is an amazing beginning. I hope it just gets better and better for your flock.

I am so very sorry for your anguish and loss. Your love for Ivan will never end. Bless you through this time of sorrow.

Or as I did, I got the bug to make an awesome atom toy, I went to the hardware store, got the flexible sprinkler system hose and to the hobby store for the right kind of sisal to wrap it and it is STILL in the closet because mine would not accept it. I keep bringing it out to try it again and have the idea that someday.... maybe. When I see videos of other parrots swinging delightedly, I show Gilbert and ask if that looks like fun. Noooo. Not yet. I just love watching everyone else's swinging good times though.

There is something about a fear bite when you are doing something new, or when you are helping them that seems easier to overcome in my mind than when I get a swipe seemingly from out of nowhere without the slightest insight of forewarning or an obvious external motivator. I try to think if it has something to do with my approach but more often than not, it just boils down to proximity and opportunity for Gilbert. I honestly have not been bitten hard more than two or three times in eighteen months, but it still is a fresh memory. Another thing I have noticed is the people who are near him least often, never feed or care for him get a courtesy flick or a pinch whereas he has nailed me to the bone with his pointy little beak. I understand it is all part of the learning process but I have to admit I have wanted to bite him back sometimes. LOL. I have faith that some day far in the future, I will forget what it felt like to endure a wicked bite, and then he will surprise me all over again. I am real proud of you for moving past the fear of Bubba's bite to keep on keeping on and loving him and striving for something better.

As you are blessed with Stormy, we are blessed with your sharing of her progress. I love those sweet babies! Keeping a journal is a way of keeping these memories and reading later when you see how she has grown and thrived in your home. She really is taking it all in and learning at a rapid rate. She will continue to surprise and delight you. Thanks for sharing.

Gilbert expanded his horizons by getting the nerve more and more often during the day to get onto the travel cage. He has been getting more exercise by climbing up and down. At first it was only in the evening. For a couple of days now, he has come down in the mornings too. At first I was enticing him by putting a few pine nuts, pistachios or an almond in a familiar food cup. Then I noticed he would climb down and bypass a treat so he could look around. As his confidence is bolstered, his curiousity is getting the best of him. Yesterday he left a warm breakfast in favor of adventure. This morning, as I am watching, he has climbed down onto the floor and is cautiously making his way around on the floor. When David and the dogs came into the room, I was sure he would hightail it back up high. Instead, they walked right past him and he never flinched. They took up a spot on the sofa to watch Gilbert making history. Gilbert has been off his cage on his own steam, willingly, for the first time since he arrived in our home. He has gone up one of the stairs, then briefly into the center of the living room floor. He is unusually calm, no signs of anxiety. He has gone back several times to climb up on the travel cage, poised to return to his comfort zone, then changed and climbed down again. There are no treats in his cup, he is genuinely moving about with only curiosity to propel him one little grey step at a time. I would wager that I am far more excited than he is right now. It is the beginning of hope that he is feeling like he is at home. What a great feeling.

This all brings a lot of good emotion for me. I see two families affected and clearly both are apprehensive but the thing that shines clear is both are looking out for Pip/Larry's best interest and care. What a wonderful thing for the little girl is she has learned that good people are in this world and she is cherished by many. All of us change and evolve day by day including this little grey. Who knows, you may have a blended family and all of you hit it off so well that you share this wonderful little bird. I can't recall if she is a Congo or a Timneh. I would love to know so I can better anticpate and "picture" this reunion. There is no telling what our future holds, love the ones you're with and open your heart to all the other wonderful people we have yet to meet. I am looking forward to the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say. I have my tissues handy, something tells me there are going to be a LOT of happy tears from everyone involved, both there and on our forum. Bless you all.

I don't have a single friend or family member who has not asked "why would you want to keep a bird that will bite you?" My answer is always the same, to smile sweetly and say "Everyone has something different to offer. Sometimes it takes a while to uncover the hidden benefits and overcome challenges. It is kind of like my friends, sometimes we have to overlook all the things they do that don't seem helpful or kind and hope they learn something eventually." Gilbert is tough to understand sometimes but there are enough joyous moments to make all the hard work and trying magnificent and worthy.

If your hubby is anything like mine, he is the expert at reading you and stepping back to let go first. LOL. I love him with no bounds, but some things don't change. In this case, Bubba may have gotten more and more frustrated by hanging out on the wall if you had waited longer for an opportunity to help him down. Too bad he took it out on your poor thumb though. As time goes on Bubba will get more resilient and able to have a little more control when he is upset, but that is little consolation for you today. I am the first to admit that sometimes it takes a little while to get past the sting of an assault on my good intentions.

I know that look Dan. In my case, it is when I am thinking "Okay, get your laughs now while you can. Revenge is a dish best served cold... unsuspected, with the element of surprise." LOL.

Oh happy happy day. This is good news. I love that you were able to get away and have some fun for yourself. I am so proud of you to resist calling and trusted Clarissa to contact you, that had to be tough. This is a new beginning. Congratulations on the success of your weekend outing.

Last night just before bed time, Gilbert the explorer was on the move. He came down to stand on the travel cage, checked the treat cup and bypassed the last pistachio to test the limits of his courage. He climbed so carefully and slowly down the side of the travel cage and contorted every which way. It seemed as if he was trying to figure out how to step onto the floor without being sucked into a black hole. He did get on the floor and looked around a little before climbing back up and into his cage. He is spending a lot more time on the bottom of his cage and climbing around on the lowest bars on the outside of the cage as well. On one side of the cage is his floor stand and he did climb over and stand on that a little while as well. He solicited a scratch from David as he slid around the floor stand to go to bed. After a bow and tuck for the scratch, he took a swipe at him but didn't bite. Then he postured for a scratch and let him have a little night night contact. He was much more jumpy than usual, it was more like, tuck, scratch, look, tuck. Today he is quieter than usual for most of the day although he did venture onto the floor and then startled himself and did a flapping, water-landing type skitter across the living room where he hid under a chair and chirped for me to rescue him and give him a lift back up high. For the most part, during the day we are home alone and he is protected from the dogs so he can climb up and down at his leisure. He is making some brave choices, but then seems to get back on his favorite perch to withdraw and think about things for a few hours. One thing I have noticed is that even when he is back in his cage, once he convinces himself he is okay, his activity level picks up. He has an invisible little hamster wheel in there where he climbs up the bars, across the ceiling, down the other side and across three perches. He will make the circuit about three times, then sit and talk low and undecipherable musings. He is not doing it enough that he appears disturbed, just like he is working things out a little and pacing in a comforting new ritual.

It looks like you have a carnival at your house every day. Nice swing. My house looks barren next to yours. I have been working a long time trying to get Gilbert to play with his toys and not be frightened, but I am seeing some hope to open the doors to his toy cupboard and try them all over again. I love the way all of yours will play and accept new things.

I have no clue what is up with her unless she sees you wearing headphones and being preoccupied and is trying to get your undivided attention. All I know is I am going rummaging through some drawers to see if I can find a pair and entice Gilbert with that tactic.

Your thread gave me the idea to try the chicken bones again with Gilbert. Last week, he rejected it. Not only did he pitch it from his food cup immediately, he went through a lot of trouble to go to the grates and fling it out on the floor. Yesterday, I gave it another go and what do you know? There he was gobbling it up and making yummy noises. I have tried it almost as many times as I have roasted a chicken since he has been here and he had no interest and was suspicious of me for even offering it, but here we are and he is loving it, at least once.

What a stressful night you've all had. I love that camera package on the link you posted. I was wondering about sound and sure enough, when I read a little further, there was the paragraph describing the audio as well. At least you could check in and know if your sensors are going off before you can upgrade all the alarm systems. I think shopping around for other home security providers is a good option because many offer free equipment and installation with a monitoring contract so you might be able to upgrade at no cost. They might even have the video capability included with new technology available so you wouldn't even have to get the web cam and set it up separately.

Jake is a natural water baby. Thanks to your use of a clear glass swimming pool, it was a good look at him splashing and having a big time. I was holding my breath at the end of the video as he climbed above the water. I was expecting him to take a high dive. He is living life large, isn't he. What a cute little guy.

Thank you for taking the time in your grief to come back and share with us. Your love for Charlie to keep up the search and leave no stone unturned is touching. I am so very sorry for your shock and suffering as you put Charlie to rest.

I am fervently wishing for a breakthrough for you and Charlie. Bless you in your search. Hang in there and keep trying, his longing to be back with you may soon overcome his fear of making a sound in a strange place.

Ray, does it come from your mom's side of the family tree or your dad's?