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I've made an appointment for next Tuesday for Simon and Kazoo to visit the vet for a checkup. I'm not sure what to expect, other than a physical exam, weight check and stool inspection. What else will they want to do? I wish money were no object, but it is. I'm currently unemployed, so I don't want to get talked into anything unnecessary and expensive. Any suggestions for tests I can safely say no to? Are there some I should definitely have done? I'm about to spend a thousand dollars worth on dental surgery for my cat - the vet says my cat is in pain. She also just diagnosed him with kidney disease, and is going to be recommending a prescription diet. $$$. My boyfriend just spent a thousand dollars at his vet's for an x-ray of his dog's spine (they had to anaesthetize him for it). We're both up to our eyeballs in vet bills right now.

The only thing that makes any sense is that these people are sociopaths and incapable of empathy. Either that, or they don't think birds have feelings. Either way, it's appalling and depressing.

We put the boing up today. I thought both birds would be a little scared of it at first, especially Kazoo who doesn't like toys. I put Simon on it first and he liked it. Then I put Kazoo on it and he LOVED it. He laughed and yelled "Woohoo! Woohoo! Woohoo!" I tell ya, it warms the cockles of my heart to see them appreciate something so much. Speaking of appreciating things, I've been playing some really basic foraging games with Kazoo. He's 13, but he never had a chance to forage before. At first I'd just put a peanut in a paper coffee filter, and he'd have to get it out. Then, I started folding the coffee filter with the peanut in it. Now, I wrap up a treat in a coffee filter, and I drop it in a small cardboard box on top of his cage. I say "Special Delivery in Kazoo's mailbox!" as I drop it in. Kazoo flies back to his cage from wherever he is and checks his mailbox, takes out his package, and extracts his peanut. He loves this game. I made a mailbox for Simon, too, and he's starting to show some interest in it.

Woohoo. Phew.

He's only three and a half months old. So he doesn't love me?

Oh, that's so sad. I can only imagine how heartbroken you feel.

Congratulations! Lucky bird.

That's Duncan. He's a Norwegian Forest Cat. When that picture was taken, shortly after I adopted him, he weighed about 25 pounds. In the 3 years since then, he has lost about seven pounds. He was just diagnosed this week with kidney disease...which explains the weight loss. He's still a big cat, but I understand he will become emaciated as the disease progresses. It's kind of hard to imagine Duncan being emaciated.

It's shameful how some people treat animals. I'm surprised that poor bird didn't die or go insane, living in such atrocious conditions for so many years. I'm so glad someone rescued her and gave her a super good home. Jay, what's Freddy's story?

Simon keeps trying to regurgitate. I've noticed him doing it when I first greet him when I come into the room. He's now doing it for Oboe the lovebird, too. He's too young to be doing it for hormonal reasons, isn't he? (He's 3 and a half months.) Do you think maybe he's got something stuck in his crop?

Oh, poor Lucy. Where did you get her from?

Oh, I like the idea of putting it in a window. Thanks!

I bought a boing for Simon and Kazoo the other day. It's a big thick one. I haven't put it up yet because I don't know where to put it. I want them to be able to share it, so I don't want to put it above either of their cages. Any suggestions for choosing a good spot for a boing? (There's a good solid hook above the dining room table, but that's not gonna work...)

Why do breeders routinely clip them? Is there any good reason for clipping a baby? I can't wait for Simon's wings to grow back. It seems to me that flying would be one of the best things about being a bird - so much fun, as well as being critical to their feelings of safety and security and mastery of their bodies. How long does it take for their clipped feathers to grow back? Kazoo, the Amazon, was never clipped, but his previous people didn't really let him fly anywhere. He was limited to his cage, its playtop, and his stand. When he first came here, he did a lot of huffing and puffing whenever he flew. It looked like a major effort. Now, five months later, I can see a big improvement. He can turn corners to go through doors, he doesn't make so much noise, and he's gaining confidence.

I hope someday my cat and my birds have such a respectful relationship.

I loved reading this post, and I learned a lot from it. Thank you.

Thanks Judy. From what I can tell, Simon will eat anything and everything except apples, sunflower seeds and parsley. Including plastic!

I've placed my order!

I've been getting most of Simon's toys from a local thrift shop - three baby toys for $2. I just buy high quality toys, no cheap Chinese stuff. Rattles, little stuffies, etc. One of his favourites is the Lamaze caterpillar, which has lots of interesting textures for him to explore. Last night I noticed Simon was trying to throw up, and then a small piece of orange plastic came up. It was from a toy that he adores, and he especially loves the orange rubbery plastic star that hangs from it. Unfortunately he swallowed the plastic again before I could grab it. I took that toy out of his cage, and am now looking at all his toys as potentially problematic. I guess I have two questions. 1) Is he in any immediate danger because of this piece(s) of plastic he swallowed? Can he choke on it, or can his crop get blocked or something? 2) How can I assess a baby toy to ensure it's safe for him? I assumed that baby toys had to meet a high standard with respect to toxic materials and indestructibility, which is why I was buying them. Thanks.

Hopefully it's just a little bug and she'll shake it off quickly. I'm sending good thoughts your way for a complete and speedy recovery.

I know. But what kind of unscrupulous breeder would have sold her an unweaned bird in the first place?

The big aggressive noise that Simon makes - I've only seen him do it when he's on the floor of his cage. My boyfriend says it sounds like Simon's possessed.

I know she's in over her head with an unweaned baby, but at least she's trying to find some answers so she can take proper care of him.

I've been wondering the same thing! Simon is just a bit older than Kenya (15 weeks) and he barks to say hello, makes lovely little tweeting sounds while he's eating, and sometimes makes gurgling noises while playing. Occasionally he makes big aggressive noises for no apparent reason - I've only seen that a couple of times. And when he doesn't want to do something (like go back into his cage, or get moved to a different person) he makes protesting noises. Hard to describe. It's like a mildly aggressive gurgle. But he hasn't yet made a sound like a phone on vibrate.

Okay, you've convinced me. I retired most of my Teflon when I got birds, but there was one large pan that I really liked, and I figured I'd just be careful not to ever overheat it. But you're right. Why take the chance? I love my birds way more than I love that Teflon pan.