kave70

I worked for a vet, and for the most part the insurance companies were nightmares. It requires such specific documentation and then would deny coverage. Specifically, I recall VPI being so very difficult. The owner and then the staff had to jump through hoops just to complete the required proof and paperwork. It got to the point that we charged a fee for additional processing as we're talking loads documentation and follow up paperwork for the client to receive minimal coverage. In my opinion, I'd skip.

YEAH!!! Welcome home Tucker. Let me know how he settles in. Will be thinking of you and totally looking forward to swapping RB2 stories.

Tomorrow is one year since Sam came to be with us. As some of you might remember, we have no backround info on him, as he was abandoned with some other pets at the vets. A year has brought a lot of changes, but we're still at the beginning of our journey, I'm sure. Sam seems a lot happier these days, especially since bringing Filbert (the little galah) home. He whistles and whistles, and has the very occasional word. He kept trying to watch Filbert and was stuck to the side of the cage, so I moved a perch where he has better view and he sits there a lot, watching and whistling to the little guy. He's still quite shy and tentative, but LOVES foraging toys. If it gives him something to work at, he seems up for the challenge. I recently hung a basket in his cage with lots of shredded paper and almonds tucked in. He's so funny the way he eyes it, and keeps creeping closer to it. I'm sure that any day now he'll have it all apart and be happily munching on those nuts. He still wont' touch his veggies (but I'm relentless in offering them) but loves his morning grape, and will pick through the mound of veggies to find it. His screaming has decreased again,and I think it's because we took my husband out of the picture. No, we didn't get rid of him, but he has minimal contact with Sam. If Sam whistles to him, he whistles back and the time between screaming periods has increased... YAH!!! We're still working on him stepping up for me. I keep his cage door opened, and think we started a game. If I take two steps towards him he rushes back inside. If I make sure to put my hands behind my back and do it, he will stay, but watch closely. I usually just give him a quick treat and walk away, and continue to talk to him. If he will step up, it's on a perch stick and then to my arm... I never force, but offer several times a day. He usually comes out, only for a while and hangs with me. I never push him, as it took more than 10 months for him to do this. His cage is right in the center of things, and his door is open, he just chooses to hang out inside. I've actually gotten kissed a few times...... and it put me on cloud nine. So, I think we've come a long way- I can't imagine life without him. We all love him dearly, and hope that my next update tells of even more progress.

I have them too, I left the package outside on the deck for a day and the smell completely dissapated. I like mine :-)

Hope you are feeling better!- Sending good thoughts that things work out the way you are comfortable with when you see the breeder again.

Such bright, beautiful photos!

So very glad Xandir is safe and sound.

What a great set of pics. They totally told the story! Thanks for sharing (and I hope you tipped Misty well for all her hard work)!

We have been dealing with Sam's screaming for months. I will tell you- I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We try our best (and I think we have everyone on board here in our family) to ignore the screaming, and to make a HUGE deal when Sam makes some other appropriate noise. We are getting much longer periods of fun whistles and sounds. My best advice is to stick with it. When my husband was about to give up, or didn't praise for a good sound and just wasn't in the mood, we reminded ourselves that if we deal with this correctly now, it will finally be OVER. It takes consistancy, and patience... and some earplugs :-) Good Luck and if you need to vent, I'm here- I know how frustrating it is.

He is amazing! Sam is so shy and pensive, and observes. Filbert, DOES... he does everything- fly, destroy anything in is way, babbles (just lots of funny noises) plays endlessly and loves neck scritches. He is like having a baby that just learned to walk.... he's everywhere. I'm so very happy that Sam's screaming has almost ceased completely, and I truly feel it's because he has Filbert to focus on. Their cages are right next to each other, and Sam will move where he is, so that he has a better view of the baby. Sam seems happier- he has been whistling more and kissed me. Filbert LOVES his playstand, and I can tell I'm going to need to be very creative and come up with lots of toy ideas. Right now his favorite seems to be an oatmeal container that I stuffed with all sorts of odds and ends (toy peices, shredded paper, etc) and millet. he works at that endlessly. I love the little guy. I can't wait till Tucker comes home and we have lots of stories to swap!

I'm sorry :-(

I think you are being a good Parront, putting Tucker's health in front of everything. I'm looking forward to seeing lots of photos and sharing Galah stories with you.

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have a lump in my throat and tears. Talk about BFF's.

HORRIFIC! I have no other words .

I'm hoping Sam stays as happy as he seems. He is extremely curious and actually came out of his cage on his own to see Filbert. I made it a point to spend all the time I normally do with Sam and invited him out anytime Filbert came out. Sorry, (my tiel) couldn't care less :-)

Filbert came home this morning. Sam seems OK and hasn't been screaming. I think he's more interested in all the activity going on. Here's a picture of the new little guy.

I bet it was quite a sight- it's a good thing you didn't run out of pistachios. I too am wondering if she'll fly more, now that she's had a taste of it. Keep us posted. Karen

Our primary heat source in the winter is a wood stove, and we've had no problems. Of course, as others have said, proper ventilation and safety precautions are alway a must. We also use extra humidifiers, as the stove dries out the air and air purifiers. Lot's of luck in your new home.

I'm very sorry for your loss, Jeff. I hope your memories help to fill the void- Bailey sounds like she was one amazing friend.

Congratulations! You have loads to celebrate!

Congrats! Best of luck with your new flock member.

You are so very right- think I'm going to cut your reminder out and stick it on the fridge and the computer :-) Thanks!

Brandi is really a cutie! I really like the idea of the vet wrap on the ends of the playstand. I look forward to seeing lots more pictures.

Thanks everyone. I feel so much better now that I've had a chance to vent and we've come up with a plan of action. My husband and I had an in depth consultation with the owner of our favorite birdstore- here's the link. http://www.theparrotandbirdemporium.com/ Janet spent a very long time talking to us. We brought lots of videos with us for her to see the described behaviors. She gave us a lot of the same tips as you all suggested, and gave us articles written by Barbara Heidenreich, which addresses the screaming. We mapped out a plan of completely ignoring the screaming, and instead rewarding a different call (a whistle that he will use instead..... of his choice, of course). If he screams my husband leaves the room and if I can, I do too... Since it's an open floor plan and Sam is right int he middle of it all, it's not always that easy. If I cannot physically leave, I turn my back to him and at least leave his area. If he makes any other acceptable noise, my husband is his reward and he goes to the cage and pets, loves him. When my husband leaves (or at least takes a shower, since he is home with an injured back) I then take Sam out and put him on his play stand, or let him hang out with ME. If Joe and or I leave for more than a few minutes, we are going to give Sam one of his favorite foraging toys, to redirect his attention for a bit. We discussed a few other things, like limiting the type of contact Sam has with Joe- a few pets and snuggles is good, but they feel that Sam is displaying lots and lots of mating behavior with Joe, and very little else. He's becoming extremely posessive, and it's stressing him out when Joe won't give him complete attention..... constantly. It may also be the key to him accepting other family members- we shall see. So, now that we have a plan of action, we will see how it goes. I believe that us all working together, to map this out, will help with everyone following the same rules (read between the lines- my poor husband knows he MUST leave each time Sam screams, and MUST reward each time Sam whistles- hahhahaaa) I truly thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. This forum is filled with exceptional, caring people. I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful group. Wish us luck :-)

I think we might make that our next step. I have all her videos, of course, and we have been trying to clicker train Sam since he joined our flock. Thanks for the excellent suggestion.