Mama CJ Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hello. My name is Carla, first time poster, long time lurker. I've had a few different birds over the years but I am new to CAG's. Wow, what an awesome experience so far! I wish I'd known more about these wonderful birds years ago. Here's how it started... Back in September I got a phone call from my step daughter's aunt. She knew I had birds and had some experience with them, mainly parakeets, love birds and cockatiels. She wanted to know if I would be interested in a 10 year old African Grey, cage and all, no charge. She just asked that I take care of her and give her lots of love. The aunt has COPD and was having breathing problems and was afraid bird dust wasn't helping. Also, she had recently started a catering business and wasn't home often. So I studied and crammed in as much info as I could and decided this would work for me. I went through many posts on this forum! A week or so later I went to meet the bird and was a little surprised at how big she was! I was used to small birds. I knew CAG's were larger but still surprised! A black crow came to mind.....haha..... Anyway, we went over a few things, they told me her likes and dislikes, foods she ate and what sounds and words to expect to hear. So, I loaded her up and brought her home! She hadn't been out of her cage for a few years. It took me about 8-10 weeks to get her to come out on her own. This last two weeks, she's been out everyday for about 3-4 hours at a time. Oh, and goes back in sooooo nicely. She's training me well! Anyway, that's our story so far....Oh, her name is Millie, short for millennium. She was born January 1, 2000! Thank you all for helping me learn about these wonderful birds! Carla Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 What a great story on how Millie became part of your family!!!! You are just starting on a wonderful adventure with a truly remarkable creature! I believe you are going to be a great parront!! I look forward to hearing more about Millie and seeing some pictures when you get a chance! Welcome to the Grey family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Thank you. I don't think a day goes by that I don't look over at my hubby and tell him just how absolutely amazed I am with Millie. I've always been a dog person who happened to own a few birds that someone gave me to care for. Then along came Millie! I'm really surprised how mellow and well adjusted she is. She hadn't been out of her cage for years and from what I understand, her cage was kept so filthy that she would never go to the bottom. She seems pretty happy. She's just not a touchy bird. She'll let me scratch her head, for about 6.5 seconds! We just go at her pace. She's made some big steps to get this far. This forum has been a HUGE help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hi, welcome to the perch. It sounds like you're having fun to say the least. So glad that the posts here have helped. Be seeing you soon. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Thank you, Dave. Right now Millie is having a "weird noise" contest with my son and she keeps having these big out bursts of laughter! I need a camcorder with a faster start up! I've been cruising the play stand threads. I think making one just might be one of my winter projects...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray P Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hi and welcome to the forum it`s a great place to be for info. and story sharing. I am also from Ohio the North east in the snow belt. I also have cockatiels and african grey congo and a blue front amazon What part of Ohio are you from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morana Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hello! Great story! Millie and you seem both great! I look forward to hearing more about Millie:-) I am so glad she can go out of her cage now and you seem like a great parent:-) Welcome!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Thanks for the welcome! We live in a very small town, actually it's considered a "village", North Lewisburg. It's located between Marysville, Urbana and Bellefontaine. I got Millie from the Mansfield area. I also have 4 parakeets and 4 dogs, 2 labs and 2 boxers. Unfortunately one of my boxers, Brandy, is living on borrowed time now. She has Degenerative Myelopathy. She's loosing the use of her hind legs. So, we just enjoy everyday we have left with her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenabrd Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 mama cj i'm in ohio too, just east of columbus. we're adopting a cag as well. her owner passed away and the family couldn't keep any of her birds. there were 2 cockatoos and the grey. one cockatoo has been placed, the other has a family interested in her, but haven't been able to go see her yet due to the weather! so we've been waiting to bring our new family member home. these too birds haven't ever been "only" birds, that's why we're waiting. we don't want to cause any issues for either bird. we have a peach front conure and a husky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hello Carla and welcome to our family, welcome to the world of grey ownership. Forget about the years you have missed having a grey in your life, the important thing is now you do and that is all that matters. It sounds like you are giving this bird just what she needs and by allowing her to do things at her own pace she is coming along nicely, these birds cannot be rushed into relationships, they need time to adjust to new people and she is responding well so far. I am so glad to hear you did your research before committing to this bird and reading thru the threads here on this forum was of great help I am sure as we have many members who are very knowledgeable about greys and what they need and require so continue to go thru them for answers to many of your questions but do ask any you may have and we will help you in any way we can. I presume that is Millie in your avatar but if you have any more pictures of her you would share with us we would love to see them. BTW, thanks for giving Millie a loving and happy home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 I presume that is Millie in your avatar but if you have any more pictures of her you would share with us we would love to see them. Yes, that is Millie in my avatar! She had only been with me for about 3 days and I opened her door to see if I could coax her out. She hadn't been out of the cage in years, and that was the look she gave me......Like, "You want me to do what?!" kind of look....too cute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hello fellow Buckeye! I have some family that lives on the east side of Columbus, off of Noe-Bixby Road.....I actually grew up in the Grove City area. Good luck with the new CAG! If you have never owned one, wow, just you wait! It's been a total blast, just don't expect much and when it happens you'll be amazed! They'll warm up at their own pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffy Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Welcome and congratulations to you and Millie for finding each other! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenabrd Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 wow, your family is pretty close!! we in "tomato town", lol!!! i can't wait to get her home!! hopefully the family interested in the last cockatoo will be able to make it this week to meet her!! once that one has a new family, we can bring lona home and get her settled in!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 Ahhhh, I've been to the Tomato Festival a couple of times! Good luck with lona! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara2 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Welcome from another Ohioan! I know what you mean about them being bigger! We have a senegal and a mini macaw. We got our Timneh (who isn't as big as a CAG) and he was flown to us from Northern Ohio. My husband picked him up at the airport and called to let me know he had him. In our short conversation, I think he said, "He's BIG!" at least three times. LOL! These greys are wonderful creatures! I look forward to more stories and DEFINITELY more pictures!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I am curious as heck, what town is "Tomato Town" if I may ask? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenabrd Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 reynoldsburg!! we have an annual tomato festival since, many, many years ago a mr. livingston did something to make tomatoes more appealing and did a lot of work with veg. seeds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 Must be how they named "Livingston Ave." that runs through it. I can tell you how he made tomatoes taste better...he squished them up, add some oregano and a few other spices, put it on some dough and added cheese and pepperoni on top! hahahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenzMama Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Love reading about the joy you & Millie have brought to each other! Isn't it amazing how quickly we can be wrapped around a little talon? Eagerly awaiting more of your adventures ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezron Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Mama CJ, Sounds like you are doing everything right to welcome Millie. Good Job! She is a lucky girl to have you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenabrd Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 here's pics of our "zoo" athena is our peach front conure. hermes is our siberian husky. lily is our husky mix rescue. we lost her to a brain tumor just after thanksgiving last year honey (mellona or lona some day) our newest family member. i took this visiting her today, she's playing with my keys. as soon as the last remaining bird's new family is ok'd, we'll be bringing honey home to her new forever home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Nice looking flock and pack! Sorry to hear about Lily. I have a boxer, Brandy, that is losing the use of her back legs. She can still walk but some days it's a challenge for her. Al least she doesn't seem to be in any pain. I'm just enjoying every minute with her because they are limited. I'll try to post some pics later, I have a house full of guests coming any minute. I just sat down at the pc to relax a minute before they get here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenabrd Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 thanks mamacj! sorry to hear about brandy but glad she's not in pain! lily started having horrible seizures saturday after thanksgiving. she was perfectly healthy as far as she acted, played, etc. we took her to a vet er that day and sunday their neuro specialist diagnosed the tumor! she was only going to get worse, more seizures, etc, so we gave her peace. we all miss her very much! looking forward to seeing your pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama CJ Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 I'm going to give the pictures a try. Brandy is my 10 year old boxer. Millie is my 11 year old CAG. Zoe is my 11 year old lab. Jazzy is my 8 year old lab and Draven in my 8 year old boxer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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