Gwen

Found this post & was so excited for you!!!!! I still haven't forgotten you, Paul, and still praying you will find Murphy.... With you not having him; it has made me thankful & appreciative that i have Roscoe to love. We both know your heart is big enough for 2 greys.... even if Murphy does find his way back. Just maybe this little one needs u & it's fate. Some things are meant to be... I rescued, Roscoe, (already had 3 others).... & ironically my beloved one died just one & a half months later ... Heartbroken, I felt Roscoe had come to me to fill my void. He was a screaming, biting, growling soul who hadn't been loved in years & it was my mission to show him unconditional love . I found this forum & read everything I could, being new to greys. We are taking small steps together & maybe, just maybe, the little one you visited will begin to fill your void. BEST OF LUCK & CONTINUING PRAYERS OUT TO YOU !!!

LOVE the new pics !!!! Glad to hear they are starting to get along.... Your baby boy looks sooo big next to Ana Grey. A few days ago I watched your vid on Louie.. He's a real wild man on the boing!!! He really attacks his bell...

Took a peek at your photos......... Great job w/ photobucket !! I haven't tryed it yet. My,My... Tybalt DOES have a beautiful, loooong tail !!!! My daughter has a lutino cockatiel like Bunsen (how did he get his name?) Her lutino (Chloe) is a loud, demanding, exploring little girl !~~ I'm sure Dahlia has a sweet personality !!! Newfies are known for that.... This is the first time in my life i've been w/o dogs & cats. I miss having them!! After Fred, it was such a heartbreaker loosing him; I can't go thru it again.( I was vet tech for years & now retired wanted the freedom of being able to travel ). Some how, i'm slowly working myself into a homebound situation now that Roscoe is becoming such a "love" & likes to stay on his daily schedule. I hate to even leave him to go to the store... Maybe by next Feb or March I'll be ready for a break (my dau. or my girlfriend will birdsit) Now i'm convinced Roscoe loves his new tent game !! Last night he put his head in the palm of my hand & i pet the top of his head with my other hand for several minutes under our blankie !!! He walks across the room to me & all I have to do is cover my head & say come here & he practically runs under the blanket to cuddle !!! I think he likes it as much as i do !!! I think when i rescued Roscoe i was trying to replace a void in my heart for Fred. Being new to Grey's, i had NO IDEA what they were like... Slowly he is coming around like i had hoped for him... A new puppy would have been alot easier !!! LOL Our baby steps together have been so rewarding to both of us & the challenge is worth it all. I love him to death !! Have a super good day & keep me posted on your flock !!!

Had to check in this morning looking for a comment !!! Yes, we had a lovely evening & thanks to your idea, Roscoe played under his tent again!! I sincerely hope this is the beginning of his new game ... I have found a brand new aspect of his loving personality!!! I noticed when he first crawls under on the floor he actually puts his head down & digs or scratches with his feet. Have u ever seen that behavior? It's like he's getting the folds of his blankie just right & maybe nesting ?????????????? He's not DNA'ed so i'm not even sure if he's a boy or girl. Also we have quite a bit in common....I also have a (cinnamon) cockatiel. Is Dahlia a retriever/newfie mix ??? Until a yr. ago, we had a registered Newfoundland named "Fred" (Emmabay's Baron Von Frederick). He lived to the ripe old age of 13... Got him as a pup & he was my "child" after the kids were grown & gone. Fred was the most gentle soul and the smartest dog I ever had. Give Marcus a kiss for me & tell him Hello from his buddie, Roscoe )

Thanks again!!! Your telling Marcus abt. the tent game & how it gave me my idea brought a smile to my face too !!! Somewhere (maybe my profile page w/ albums) I have pics of Roscoe playing under his blankie. But anyway, until i saw your pic, i never thought of getting under it with him. It breaks my heart to think that last night he was so receptive & until i got cuddly he was probably ready weeks ago when he first started putting his head down for scritches. Until last night, he had never layed on my chest, put his head between my elbow & chest.. He did eventually crawl up onto my shoulder under the blankie & i've never had him that close to my face!! He was a perfect gentleman !! Being a rehome, and all the sucker bites I've received (upon which he immediately laughes out loud or says Ouch!) i'm so willing to continue our bond -- I can't wait until this evening to play our new TENT GAME !!

Saw your pics of Marcus yesterday I you gave me an idea with the "blanket game". Roscoe has just recently started to let me touch the top of his head while he plays his blanket game..... (the thread, Scritches) He came to me almost 2 yrs. ago w/ ALOT of baggage, and slowly has recently been showing affection only under his blanket. His game is a fleece hoodie he crawls under while I lay on my side on the floor. I drape it over my legs & he walks under it & makes kiss sounds & rubs his head on the fleece. When I saw your photos, I thought Hey!!! I'll try putting it over my head instead of my legs to get cuddly.... Well, it worked last night!!!! I had another huge breakthru!!! Roscoe acted as though he really desired the love!! I didn't think he knew how to express himself but he melted my heart!!! He cuddled up against my chest & put his head down & i petted the top of his head for 5 minutes... He closed his eyes & just enjoyed himself. I was so elated I just kept whispering AWWW while I gently stroked his head. He buried his face & I could hear him breathing & he layed very still. He came back for 3 or 4 more sessions in the last hour before everyone went to bed. When he finally settled back on his cage door he just sat very heavy eyed & content. Thank you so much for posting your pic as it gave me my first opportunity to really get close for the first time. It was as though he was just waiting for me to show him the right situation & he responded so sweetly !!! I'm shaking just typing about this. You don't know how long i've waited for those precious moments!!!

Just curious why some walk their perch like a tightrope & others side step ???

LOL!!! I love the post about Tybalt getting into the bananas............... Roscoe doesn't go into the kitchen(i'm kinda glad) but if he did, he would be doing the same thing !! He's absolutely ape over them & if i'm eating one, he will come over and take it away from me. He thinks it's his & doesn't want to share. He pins & rubs his head on them while he's eating. He also covets-- lifts his wings slightly & stands over it to cover the banana.

Our fids are truely like two year olds !!! You can't let them out of your site in a room alone for 5 minutes. Their nature of exploration, curiousness & energy will get them into trouble everytime !!! I really enjoy just silently folowing Roscoe & watching how he reacts to something new. Although apprehensive, stretching out that little neck, touching w/ the tip of his beck to test, & sometimes walking a few feet away' he stops, turns around & goes back... The very next time he's out, he will go back to an object & start all over again. Usually, if he feels it's ok, he will say "hello" to it & then rub the top of his head on it as if to say, hey this is ok.. I love this little guy !!!

You are so right on Dee !!! You are one of the reasons i follow Gilbert's progress. He & Roscoe seem to be similar in alot of ways & i'm always looking for hints & secrets to advance my relationship w/ him. I was so amazed at your trip & how well Gilbert did. I don't even know why but i would love to just be able to take him with me sometimes. My husband surprised me with a travel cage a few wks ago & i asked for comments on how to acclimate him to it. He is quite curious but still won't go into it. I placed peanuts & toys inside & on top but he can't get his courage up to get to them. He has tested out the bars & climbed up the door but won't go inside. He even says "Ready to go" but I'm willing to let him take his time with this new cage. It's just an experiment.... no target date but I think it's a good idea if i ever need to take him to the vet. I also am anticipating that i could take him w/ me if we decide to go away for a few days. I've never left him alone w/ anyone or been away from him so teaching him to use his travel cage would be a first step to being able to take him w/ me. Did Gilbert learn w/ u or did he already have a travel cage when u got him?? Roscoe doesn't like other people visiting the house. He doesn't like other men or women but seems to respond more to kids. My 10 year old grandson loves Roscoe & when Zack visits me we camp out on the floor by his cage. In the evening Roscoe will walk over & take food from his hand & is quite comfortable being around him. Zack loves to run up to the cage & Roscoe always says WHOOOO to greet him. Zack knocks on the wall & Roscoe makes a knocking sound back. Sometimes when Zack just puts his hand by the wall Roscoe makes his knocking sound & they both just laugh !! It's so cute. I recently moved Roscoe's cage over a few feet so he has a window view. It's been amazing how his window is like a tv for him. It made me cry when i saw how interested he was of his window.... when where he was before ( in a spare bedroom, against a wall, with curtains closed across the room ) He has so many new things in his life i have given him. When i got him he had 1 toy, a rawhide donut in a chain that he never touched. I immediately went out & filled his cage w/ rope perches & oodles of toys !! He forages, tears up paper & leather & plays w/ everything in his cage. It's like he was yearning for stimulation & couldn't get enough. I love just watching him play for hours !!! Yes, our babies do finally have a safe & wonderful home finally & can learn & play. There will be no end to accomplishments but it all justs takes time !!

I love it when i'm cleaning the bottom of his cage & Roscoe says Boy oh boy, that's dirty.. When i'm done he tells me, Good job, Buddy !!!

I have been following your posts about Gilbert. You have come alot further in 6 months w/ him than i have w/ Roscoe !!! I DO hope Roscoe begins to open up more.... He is showing so much affection lately but i'm still trying to figure out what he wants. Yes !!! I LOVE that warm little soft head !!! I really get excited when he allows more than just a touch scritch. I've also been touching different spots & making kiss sounds with it & he does respond by lowering & turning his head. I feel so honored that he has allowed me to even touch him, since he has never been handled & been able to trust anyone let alone express affection. I honestly don't think he ever knew how to show love.... so it's new for both of us. He doesn't like my husband, i fear he was mistreated by a male in the past. He is very uncomfortable around him & doesn't talk unless he goes out of the room. If Roscoe's on the floor w/ me, if my husband coughs--he does displacement biting--so i'm very careful to read body language. If my hubby gets up to walk around, Roscoe puffs up & charges him !! Anyway, scritches have begun a new chapter in my life & i don't want him to stop !!!

Thank you all for the kind words !!! Yes, Roscoe IS extremely moody.. He does know he's in control but that's ok. When he takes & holds my finger w/ light pressure & pins... i say be nice & he immediately lets go & rubs his head & makes kissy sounds. On the other hand, he climbs down the outside of his cage & asks for a scritch, and !CHOMPS! & climbs up top laughing !!! Seriously, I look forward to each day as an adventure & take another baby step on Roscoe's journey. Being retired has it's benefits, and my fid is a big part of my life. ))

I have a male CAG but made my own hiding place... A rope perch up high in his cage in the back corner. I hung a 5" wall of toys in front of the perch and he goes up there to hide. All i see is a red tail & if i look, i can see one eyeball starring out between the toys. He absolutely loves it & naps up there during the day. I also tried it w/ my female tiel & she loves it too. I believe all birds need a hidey hole in a big open cage to make them feel secure !!! I suggested it to my daughter who has a female tiel & hers loves it too. No expense just placement of toys.

I have a few questions ... My CAG has just recently "allowed" me to start giving him head & neck scritches. A few months ago when i would ask him "scratch ?" thru the bars, he would offer the top of his head against the bars. I always tell him AWW while i touched the top of his head. Recently, i have noticed that he turns & rubs his head on most anything he likes such as a toy, banana, a peanut & now he rubs the top of his head on me when i'm laying on the floor. My arm, leg, foot & hand. This has been a real breakthru to show affection being that he was a neglected re-home that you couldn't even get close to his cage w/o agression.. My question is: first i scritch him w/ my knuckle instead of finger tips because he still offers the top of his head for sucker bites. I always ask & he lowers & turns his head for scratches. Lately he has expressed on his own by putting his head down. Last night he layed his head stretched out forward on his blanket & for about a minute i pet the top of his head like a dog!!!! I actually used my finger tips & he closed his little eyes. I've gone from a 2 second touch to actually a full minute of petting !!! I sincerely hope this wasn't a one time occurance !! Is this the beginning of a real love affair??? I still can't believe it happened !!!

I have an 11 & a half year old re-homed CAG. He was extremely neglected ("stored" in a spare bedroom) for over two years because the family had 4 large dogs & 3 cats and "didn't have time for him any more" !!! He was screechy, aggresive, wouldn't come out of his cage & a would bite the bars out of frustration. If this situation wouldn't produce a plucker ---- nothing would !!! HE IS NOT A PLUCKER AND NEVER HAS BEEN. There is no reason to worry. At this point ( i've had him 18 months ) he is a loving, happy, well-adjusted baby !! He still bites on occasion but even if he was a plucker, I would love him just as much !!

Found the pic 1st thing yesterday morning !!! It just warmed my heart. I emailed it to both of my daughters to enjoy also. Thanks !!!

Congrats on your new found friend !!! He looks & acts like a perfect little gentleman... My rehome came w/ ALOT of bad baggage & it's taken me almost 2 yrs. for him to show me what he needs... I am with Roscoe 24/7 and everyday we love each other more !!! Best wishes for a speedy adaption to his new surroundings. Please let us know how he's doing & more pics, please !!! It warms my heart to know that another grey has found a new forever home !!

I can't wait until he is ready to enjoy his travel cage !!! I will make sure he has a good experience in it so if i ever need it for an emergency, he won't mind. I knew I could count on the forum for some good input -- you all are so helpful !! Meantime, patience & baby steps, which Roscoe is teaching me !!! Again, i'm learning from him.

My CAG has a foot fetish too !!! When i'm laying on the floor, if i'm on my laptop, Roscoe walks down to my toes & sticks his beak between toes & regurgitates !!! How's that for gross !! He rubs the top of his head all over my toes & feet... I think he just mistakes my toes for my fingers !!!

Thanks !!!! No target date, just wanted to have a travel cage in case i ever needed it. I DO, however, want him familiar w/ it so it won't be intimidating or freak him out if i wanted to use it. Good idea abt. leaving it be, i dont want to invade his comfy space. Roscoe has come along way in the time i've had him & i don't want any backslides... He's just in the last month let me give him neck scritches when he lowers his head. This is only a brief touch but he makes a kiss sound & turns his head sideways & down for me to touch him. He pretty much trusts me but still likes to "grab" a finger & hold waiting to crunch down... When i say, noooo, he lets go & makes his kiss sound. Cute game to him... Occasionally, on my hand he leans forward & bites my thumb or bottom of my hand hard. When i say no, he laughs !! Little booger loves to have full control. About the travel cage, again Thanks... I'll just let it become part of the furniture in hopes he will eventually accept it as a toy w/ treats inside. It would be nice to use it for outside too. ( I wheel his whole cage out onto the deck from the living rm. for sunshine. He loves it.. Even takes a nap & talks the entire time he's out there. I did show him yesterday... I put my tiel in his travel cage & she played for an hour in it. All Roscoe says is, "OHHHH.. bye, bye pretty girl..."

After having an 11 yo rehomed CAG for the past year & a half, Roscoe is still VERY apprehensive on the floor and never wanders more than a 10 ft. radius away from his cage. He loves to play w/ me & eat treats, then climbs back onto his cage door & then down again over & over. My question is: i just got him a Midwest Poquito Avian Hotel cage & he is scared to death of it. It's only been 2 days that i set it up on the floor across the rm from his cage. He walks out & around the travel cage to come over to me. I've put treats & his favorite blanket near the door. I removed one of the stainless steel cups & perch top for him to check out but he doesn't want to go within 3 feet of the travel cage. He normally loves to explore & crawl into cardboard boxes & such but this cage he definately doesn't like. Should i continue to leave it where it is or possibly move it over next to his cage, where he could climb onto it when he comes down onto the floor?? How do i acclamate him ???

WELCOME !!! You have come to the right place. This forum has been very helpful & the moderators are experienced & extremely knowledgeable !!! Again, welcome to the family..

Good that you wear your "special" shirt. I have a rehomed 11 year old & the 1st month i had him i wore a flannel hoodie everytime i sat by his cage or handled him. The very first cuddle w/ him he tucked his little head into my chest against the hoodie. Since then it's his "blankie" that he chews the drawstring, zipper, crawls under on the floor & does kiss sounds (so cute) !!! Also, Egan's little tail bud is turning into beautiful feathers & getting sooo long !! What a big boy !!

You brought tears to my eyes & an ache to my heart.... My tiel, Bozo, died 5 months ago. Please go to my profile, album & look at his pics & video. I don't know which is worse - a pet dying or flying away... I have checked everyday for good news & I'm not yet convinced Murphy is gone. Keeping u in my prayers