KevinD

Well, you can close this thread out, I wanted to say thank you all one last time. All is well. You see my sign up date, that's when the battle began, I had no idea it would be a Cinderella story. I would not have made it if not for the encouragement of everyone here. I submit the little things you say, you may not think makes any difference, I submit, let God decide, keep doing what you do. V/r Kevin

We learn by doing, Even though I don't fall into the regular category of field soilder, I have found that I exhibit traits of PTSD, although if you told anyone I would deny it. I have had to eliminate certain threats, but also having medic skills have saved certain assets. Fortunately I made it back and so did Sukei. If you ask me if it made a difference to either one of us on a scientific/psychological level, I would say yes to a degree. The person and they grey still have to want to make it work, and spend the time to make the relationship work, same as between all of God's creatures. We and Greys all not really all that different, it the commitment we humans are in control of.

One thing I have found as long as you KNOW, it is a safe environment, if you can keep them busy till you get back, they will be fine. Remember the old song "Every needs a little time away" from each other. Peter Cetara I believe. They are much Like us yet different. The difficulty is finding the balance.

They are correct there are literally thousands of Greys out there that need help. I had to go on the other side of the planet to find that out. I'm not dissing any breeders at all, but if you think of it in human terms, look at all the so called problem children up for adoption. Do you realize some of the greatest minds in the world were adopted children? My rescued Sukei I would not trade for a baby. He is smart as the day is long. He also came from the hard life, and that which does not kill us, makes us stronger, greys included.

Oh, I dont think she was fat-shaming, just pointing out the huge difference between when Sukei was rescued, and his current health.

The avatar was from when he was about 8 months old, He is full size now, and overweight a few ounces according to the vet : - )

I will probably take you up on it, need a break from the stress, but will give you PLENTY of notice : - )

All I don’t have any of my photo resizing stuff yet, so I just put them in a PDF. (I apologize if you dont have adobe reader) You can down load here. https://www.adrive.com/public/MaNsNc/sukei.pdf Thanks so much again. This is his temporary home, till we move in a few weeks to the new place. Your encouragement helped get me through!

Im sure we can work something out, we just have to get settled in, I've been away for 10 years, Im starting all over again lol.

All, I just got back from DFW it is 11:40 PM here, and Sukei is home and doing just fine. I still a little jet lagged, so were all going to get some sleep. Im still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we all made it home. I sit here and think, what was the chance that a poor african grey pouched from a South African jungle tree from his nest put in a box with 15 or 20 other birds, smuggled into the middle east and then basically left for dead because no one wanted him (Thats the way I think it happened based on what I know) not only survive, but make it to Dallas Texas to live a good life. I think, I will go buy a lottery ticket for him, because I think he has a better chance of winning the lotto. When we wake up in the morning, and get settled, Ill shoot those pictures. Thank You all again. There really is a God, too many miracles, too many things that cannot be explained away.

Well you know how it goes when someone asks where you live in Texas, you just say Dallas, because everyone knows where that is, on the other hand if you say I live in Collyville, they go "Say what" I dont know where that is lol. Right at the moment I am in Colleyille, until I find a place next to the next potential job.

No far my friend, thank you ! The wife and I arrived from Dubai yesterday, and are catching up on some sleep. USFW has determined I am still in violation because of the Kuwait CITES permit, and are going to release him for shipment to Dallas tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM. There will be no fine, but I am required to write an apology letter to the agent, and I cant tell you how bad that sticks in my throat. Along with the letter Sukei will have a life travel ban on him. (Not able to leave the US for life. NOW, I have already talked to a lawyer, and he said eat my peas and do it, then after a period of time, with all my evidence and correspondence with that agency, I can appeal it, and he is 99% sure with the documentation I sent him, he can get the ruling over turned. In the mean time, dont rock the boat. As much as it sucks, you pick your battles when the time is right. The important thing is right now he is in. The only reason the travel ban is an issue for me, is we have two homes, one in the Philippines, and one in Texas. We plan on staying here for at least 6 or 7 years. Ill shoot plenty of pictures, and will post them. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

I imagine its like "Home Alone 2" in New York for him. Im sure he will enjoy it.

When I get home, I try and do a little helping around here, I've just been tied up trying to get out of here, and Sukei is home now. I know I dont do a lot of posting in other threads, just trying to get home. Thanks all of you again, and again. I talked to the quarantine center and Sukei is doing great, says he is out talking all the others, and the others are responding to him, funny lol. Happy New Years

This new years eve Im looking at Sukie's empty cage before I break it down for shipment, you know its amazing how they are like a real human being (Probably the best of us), they dont just repeat things they communicate, and know what they are saying. I wish all of you a Happy New Year, Sukei probably is in the best place to be for New Year, New York. They said they have TV monitors there so he will get to see the ball drop. Happy New Year to everyone....especially to those in Israel, may you find better treatment, then you have found in the current US administration. Kevin

Avian Quarantine Facility, The New York Animal Impact Center, Newburgh, New York. Well again thanks for the support, I made a statement in reply to my so called violation of the importation act. Im trying the carrot first, if that doesn't work, Ill bring a baseball bat not a stick. I advised the Kuwait CITES division that the US basically said they dont know what they are doing and not following the rules of the convention. (They were real happy to hear that) Have you ever seen a pissed off Arab? They reiterated, thats all there going to get, and it is legal. I am just happy Sukei is home, and I can fight on home turf. It is difficult to fight a war on the other side of the planet, as the US has learned the hard way. I talked with all the agencies involved, and they are all standing behind me, but I dont know if that is going to be good enough. The lady that cut the WBCA permit says Ill probably end up paying a fine, and that will be that, however if they really want to be schmucks they can confiscate Sukei. I just got to wait and see how it plays out. It also turns out it was good that I started that video website years ago documenting ownership of Sukei over the years, that may come into play if I have to lawyer up and go to court. More to come.....

Well, he made it. Thats the good news. The bad news is some bean counter over at Fish and Wildlife doesn't like the way the CITES permit was filled out by the Kuwaitis, even though they already saw it, and issued all the import permits. Not sure what is going to happen. I may end up standing tall before the man. But the important part, is Sukei is home. I can fade any heat they bring down. Sukei will be out of quarantine in 30 days, Ill be out of here and home in 26 days. Thanks guys again, Ill post pictures when its over.

This is it, time for Sukei to go, all the permits filed/approved, the FW agents notified, quarantine ready to except, and my pet company in US on stand by to pick up. I thought you guys might like to see what we rigged up to send him in. I had to follow some CITES and IATA requirements and specifications. AGAIN they make it difficult because there are no "APPROVED" travel cages, just specifications to follow. The next 48 hours are going to be hard on him and us, and again I thank you guys for your support. Kevin

I did think about that, and in keeping with there are no hard fast rules or a handbook or SOP for an operation such as this, this is all I have to go on. http://www.qrcargo.com/qrlive I hope they live up to their advertising. I believe I am emotionally spent lol, I was apologizing to Sukei all last night for what I was about to put him through, but I think his chances are better this way then leaving him here...... Hope I made the right decision.

Well, this is it, down to the wire. The story is so long, I would have to write a book. I finally got the WBC permit, with a note that Sukie would have to be in the states no later then 12-31-2016 because all the permits are for Schedule II and Greys go to Schedule I CITES January 1 and my permits would become void. We spent all day building what I call the premier Parrot mobile transportation unit lol, IATA approved specs, now I just have to hope that I can get the vet in time with the cargo company. He has to go cargo now, because I am not scheduled out till Jan 31st. I guess all in all the timing was just right, as he never would have left the country under a schedule I, I would have had to leave him. Its the 4th quarter 4th down and inches, I just got to jump over a big defensive line and get the touchdown. Ill let you know when I do...... everything is in flux but the game is up on the 31st. Thanks again folks for the encouragement and support. K

One step forward, and two steps back......Argh, well it turns out, he has to have an RFID tag, SO, here is Sukei for his final checkup and RFID insertion procedure. As you can see he is of decent weight, vet said he was on the higher end of the weight scale for his make and model LOL. The procedure went well, I was lucky enough to have a very proficient avian vet to do it. Thanks Dr Jill. She is a traveling Vet that goes to many of these less then desirable places in the world to help birds/people in a bad spot. I was surprised at how quickly and non traumatic it was for him. They gas them which knock them out for about two min, put it in, and poof. Done. He woke up a little freaked out, but has been fine, no bleeding or anything. SO, were back to the same problem, I need the WB permit, and then Dr Jill can write the heath permit. Problem is she leaves in the middle of December, so I have to have the permit in hand by then. Will be a long two weeks. Thanks Again for everyone's kind words and support.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, wanted to give you an update. First for anyone trying to do What I am trying to do, this is the government link it might help someone. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-the-united-states/pet-birds/pet-birds-non-us This has proved to be almost an impossible task, no matter what hoops I jump through, they find another. One must have serious conviction to get this done. In my case all the avian vets left the Popsicle stand in Kuwait. Now if your lucky enough to have a Falcon in the middle east your good to go...... The Falcon vet simply said my Falcon would eat your African grey for lunch and still be hungry. Obviously there is some prejudice there. I was stuck on the 21 day quarantine in country before shipping. I got lucky and a British avian vet was lured back into this hell hole, because the Royal Animal Hospital here in Kuwait was backed up on avian cases that she came back for a month to clear the back log. She is going to help me get that done. God bless her. Im now just stuck on the US fish and wildlife import permit. I was finally able to contact her yesterday, and she said she would move my permit to the top of the stack, (Professional courtesy) we both work for the US government. Its not over yet, but I see a path, where there was none before. Thank you all for your support and encouragement. There is a whole lot more to the story, but i dont think there is enough hard drive space on your host's server LOL. Have a blessed day.

It means some of us are above the law and some of us are not. Dont want to make this a political thread, it is what it is.... were coming home, thats all that is important... As I look through the years, even as much influence as I have it amazes me that just a few bucks gets you what you need. As long as you know who to call. So in reference to the other CITES thread.......its a lost cause. Fortunately for Sukei, he gets to come home. Again thank you all for the support.

Unfortunately i will not be retired till the middle of January. I wish I could say....but I cant, however Hilliray can tell you anything she wants to..... Myself id be in jail with Sukei

Thanks again everyone. If all goes well Sukei should go to quarantine on December 15th or 16th. There are still some final preparations to be made, but I think we will be home for Christmas. All though it sucks being jail for the holidays, at least there will be many more.!!!