kins2321@yahoo.com

okay.... NO MORE PICTURES! LOL Now I really want a new bird!!!! Nancy

Open cage concept education to a new bird, is no longer an option unfortunately. I had the kids here to help with the training, and being on the same page when we worked with Sophie and gang, as well as dogs.I work fulltime, and safety would be compromised for a new bird. Its not that Sophie can fly anywhere and everywhere while I am at work, but I wouldn't trust her with her cage door opened in birdroom. I can't close her cage door either! I am damned if I do, and damned if I don't! I also wasn't happy with her behavior when Sunny was dying, I was carrying him everywhere. She pecked at him! I'm sure that maybe normal behavior in the bird world, or just jealousy. Ollie stepped up to the plate ( my dog), and was at Sunny's side the entire time. Nancy

Its been a year since I lost Zoey, my pup. I totally lost it last nite, and cried my eyes out! Sunny my bird, died the same day. My kids and friends are supportive, but push me to get a new pup. I can't do it. Nancy

I am so sorry! Its a " luck of the draw", whether they pluck or don't. Its not the parrent, or anything they have done wrong. Bird usually is happy, parent is freaking out! I can't even imagine! Nancy

Elvio... watch closely! I would be concerned as well! Watch the preening... and encourage your baby to go and play elsewhere when you think they are over preening. We were lucky when Sophie was two, that we had someone available to watch her 24/7. When she over preened... we told her " enough". Lets go do something else. To me, the age of two, is so much work! Actually the age of 2-4, needs so much supervision! Its the age of " NO!" Its such a commitment of the family, being on the same page... once you get past that....the world is soooo amazing between you and your bird! Nancy

Shaking their tail feathers, is like a dog wagging their tail. Happy Nancy

Yes... all is good. BUT... I have two choices. Accept her wanting for us ( Ollie and me), to stepup on the amount of time we all spend together, or get her a new roommate and friend.As Ollie and I spend all our free time with her, not sure I can increase our time together.On the other hand,I am hesitant to get her a new friend, as my kids are off in college, and getting a new friend, I wouldn't be there as much. If I got her a new friend, ( would have to be a rescue), the new bird would not have " open cage concept", which I support 100%. It would go against my beliefs and training. It wouldn't be fair for Sophie to have " open cage", and new bird not! Nancy

I am so sorry! Nancy

All is good! She is back in her room. She just needed a couple of nites to figure it out. She slept with us two nites... Ryan and Sean skyped more than usual.. her " flock", remains intact...thats all she needed to know Nancy

Sorry all! When I said he was adopted... I meant he was adopted as a baby. He is not a grey

katana600... your day IS coming! You have the patience of a saint and make Miss Gilbert feels safe and loved. When she asks next to go back... try saying " noooo", we've got to go checkout so and so room. Have an amazing toy ready.... busy yourself with cleaning the room while she plays. Sophie LOVES going to each room with me while I clean and has something to play with. ( anything she can destroy works!). While she slows my progress down, it would never be as much fun, without Sophie! Miss Gilbert can do it! Nancy

Hmmmm... dinner, or a new member of my flock! ( Sophie was always recruiting when we had a zillion guinea pigs!) LOL Dave was right also about the movement. THAT could be what is so fascinating! No matter what it is, if he is interested, you need to be interested! Great bonding moment too! BEAUTIFUL feathers Wilbur! You are GORGEOUS! Nancy

As we are a very musical family, and we all play several instruments, Sophie LOVES music, and it is a riot to watch her dance! She LOVES all songs from the " Sound of Music", as well as songs from the " Phantom of the Opera". She can dance to " rap" ( my least favorite), and rap the kids under the table! Nancy

Sophie loves to say " kottchiekootchiekoo!" Now she is obsessed with the nursery rhyme " pop goes the weasel." I teach her many nursery rhymes...she becomes obsessed with several. She has many cloth books that she chews to death. Thomas the Tank Engine is one of her favs that I have to read nightly. ( I don't have to read it anymore, I know it by heart). She will notice, if I don't turn the page! LOL Nancy

UMMMMMM.... not so much! Dave... Feel some empathy! Dig deep into your soul... We can rock, if we choose too! We can't alienate new members,,, we need new ideas! Nancy

I know my girl well! She has been thinking about this, and has made her decision, what the outcome should be. She wants us all to be together.Sophie doesn't ask for much, but I know when she has something on her mind, that she won't change her decision! She wants to be with me and Ollie. I will be moving in one of the cages into my room. She can still start off in birdroom, and hopefully stay there. Nancy

No offense taken! Of course Ollie and Sophie can't sleep together! Ollie doesn't sleep in his bed, its just his hangout which should be his space. She is just invading his space. She can't invade unless I am home.Have to reconsider sleeping arrangements, as she wants to be with us. Considering a cage in my room. If its important to Sophie, its important to me. Nancy

I was looking more for, people to feel free to ask for help in areas that concern them. Dave....of course Sophie can't sleep in Ollie's bed. ( dog). I know she is trying to refigure her flock. As Ollie sleeps with me....she has decided to sleep in my room. She can fly " up", not lateral. No kitchen or family room where Ollie's bed is.She flew up last night and perched on my bed at the bottom. Thinking of putting a cage in my room. Nancy

I will start! I want people to help me, help Sophie, to recover from the loss of Sunny, and stop living with Ollie my dog. She can't go to bed in Ollie's bed, and think it is normal! Nancy... next.....

So many of you know, I am very close to my bird trimmer, care giver. Disco was adopted at my bird store. Check it out! Nancy

I KNEW this was going to happen! Sophie did well with Sunny's death, initially. Now she looks around in birdroom, all are gone.She has always been close to Ollie,my pup, as well as us. Her flock mentality has always included me, kids and ollie. Now, she won't leave Ollie's side. Bedtime is ignored... she puts herself to bed, in Ollie's bed.Ollie lets her sleep in it. She insists on eating breakfast together with Ollie. He tolerates it, but I don't want them to eat together. Ollie needs to eat in peace.He is patient and tolerant! Nancy

Thank you all. As I am a nurse, I work with patients all the time that are dying. To die with dignity, and no distress, surrounded by those that love you, is everyone's goal, how death should be.( most people don't think about it).Ryan is struggling with it the most as he is so concerned that his death was horrible!I am talking to him daily how Sunny died peacefully and surrounded by those that loved him. Nancy

Sorry... I'm reporting you to the " Toy Deprivation for Birds". Ohhhh... did I mention that Sophie just left to go visit your house as she is their chief investigator? Nancy

She is SOOOOO cute!!!! I just love looking at her progression! My pup was named Zoey. BEST dog ever! Excellent name choice. Nancy

Sophie can pop off the keys in seconds and my computer is stripped! I've had to print out " placement" of keys several times. When I needed a new computer, my son made me buy a laptop... it was tough for me to get use to, but he showed me how amazing it is too close it! LOL! ( I am computer illiterate, and my kids really make fun of me!). She still stole a key, but as I didn't know what it did, I don't miss it Nancy