My new CAG and our story.

[Ladybug01976]

For years and years I have always wanted an African grey I posted an add stating what I was looking for.. Since I am a stay at home mom it gives me many opportunity to work with abused and neglected animals i have done dog rescue for a number of years I adopted a blue fronted amazon last Feb. that was as beutiful as can be and had biting lunging issues and was amazed at how quickly I got him over that and he is just the best bird ever now. Now back to my wanting an African grey.. I wrote an add stating what i was looking for that I was a stay at home mom, was looking for an african grey if it had behavioral problems that was ok because I could work with it and get him/her over them.

I got a reply from someone who said that they had one that was 8 years old and was looking for a home and they werent asking to much for it. I am always up for a challenge so I said I would come look at it.. Everyone has told me from the start oh you should get one as a baby and so forth . I love babies but I am more into older pets I would rather have an adult dog than a puppy , a cat as opposed to a kitten, an adult bird rather than a baby. So with that being said I went to go look at that bird I pulled up to this house that looked awful from the outside.. Was kinda afraid what it looked like in the inside.. I called the lady on my cell phone and told her I was outfront and a short grouchy man opened the door and let me in I could hear dogs barking little dogs when he let me in it was hidious there were like 12 little dogs running around in this little house newspaper all over the floor and in the next room the kitchen there were cages upon cages of birds at least 15.. I didn't hear happy singing bird chatter i heard the scream of little birds that wanted attention and out of that place.. I observed many bird with no water and only seed for food which isn't appropriate as nutrition .. Then i saw him sitting in a cage far to small and just staring blankly scared out of his mind. I couldn't turn away from him he needed me he had this look of despair in his eyes.. Poor guy had plucked feathers around his neck and he was just shaking.. The lady was trying to get me to buy more of her birds I wish I could of saved them all I really do and I am going to do my best to get them out of that place . The cages looked like they hadn't been cleaned in years it was filthy.. I quickly gave the lady her money took the bird and got the heck out of there. When I got home I got the bird out of his cage which wasn't easy as he was trying to bite me got his cage cleaned up which took about an hour to do gave hom fresh food and clean water. I worked with him alot last night and he is doing much better.. He has an appointment at the vet next week to get his beak trimmed as well as his nails trimmed.. He isn't that beautiful african grey that you always see on animal planet but he will be soon now that he is with me and will be loves so with that said let me introduce him to you and just remember..

 

There are all types of people and animals in this world they may not be beautiful , they may be short ,fat , tall , toothless, homeless but everyone needs a friend don't turn away from people or animals just because they aren't what you want them to be on the outside because if you dig deep they have an inner beauty that will shine through with a little TLC.

 

Here he is..

 

 

 

 

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i119/ebayseller05/?action=view&current=Picture052.jpg

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i119/ebayseller05/?action=view&current=Picture056-1.jpg

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i119/ebayseller05/?action=view&current=Picture006.jpg

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i119/ebayseller05/?action=view&current=Picture005.jpg<br><br>Post edited by: Ladybug01976, at: 2008/01/28 22:28

[siobha9]

The poor poor little guy. I cant believe he is letting you pet him already.

 

That is so horrible... and they wanted you to pay for him? I should think they would have been glad for him to be happy. Some people dont deserve to own pets.

 

Luckily for him he now will have a wonderful life with you.

 

Does he have a name yet?

[Ladybug01976]

Hi there yep I payed 400 to get him out of there and would of payed more just to get him away from that lady.. He was in awful conditions.

I named him Cosmo.

He is 8 years old.. He also let me trim his nails and beak without a problem.. He does have quite a problem getting out of his cage. I have decided after this weekend when he gets his huge kings playstand that he no longer will be in a cage that the playstand will be his new home.. He was kept in a cage far to small for him and it really messed with him emotionally and lack of interaction with him made it worse.. So I will be keeping him cage free. I am having a hard time getting him to eat but have been taking fresh veggies and fruits and making them smooth in a blender and he is starting to eat solids I have also ordered him some Harrisons Bird food to see if he will do ok with that.

[MazyAK]

Ladybug: Great to have such a compassionate person join us. You have done a wonderful thing and a happy bird will emerge. It will take time, so be patient, but it sounds like you have a good understanding how to proceed. I see the pictures and hen looks like he'll do just fine.

Keep us posted and good luck

Bruce & Mazy

[DweamGoiL]

Hi Ladybug,

 

I am sooooooo glad you guys have found each other. Sometimes life has a way of working out to bring 2 special friends together as in your case

 

Now, personally, I think he is cute as a button and I LOVE the pic of his eyes closing when you are petting him...priceless!

 

Good luck to you and Cosmo...this is just the beginning

[Laurie]

Hi, and welcome!

Thank goodness for people like you in the world!

You should report that house to the authorities...

[judygram]

Cosmo is a beauty, you can tell that by looking at that face. How wonderful of you to take in this bird and I know you would have liked to be able to take in the other birds those people had but one person can only do so much.

 

It really is sad and despicable that there are people out there that have birds that don't take care of them, I would seriously consider turning those people in to the authorities. But at least one grey is spared from that existence and I commend you for having it in your heart to take on this task.

 

Please keep us updated on this grey, I want to know how he progresses under your tender care.

[Nychsa]

Cosmo is gorgeous Ladybug! I'm sure after staying with you for a while, his beautiful feathers will return and you'll see the rewards of your love and compassion. I'm really glad to have "cyberly" met you

[nevjoe]

Ladybug, you have done a wonderful thing for that bird. Cosmo is a good looking bird, and the best of luck for you both in the coming years.

 

Joe

[Ladybug01976]

Thank you everyone for making me feel so welcome.. I am totally in love with Cosmo.I am very suprized how fast he is progressing thus far.. He is fine once out of the cage and today for the first time he actually started to somewhat communicate with me .. I told him i loved him and gave him a kiss on the head and said I love you and made a kissing noise well he made that noise back to me it was exciting.I have always wanted an african grey there is just something about them that i love they are just pure gorgous and i saw his beauty from the very begining. He will never have to be cooped up in a cage that is to small, he will never have to worry about not being fed, or being hungry or without water again and he will never have to worry about not getting enough attention .. I just love him to death! He is the bird I have always dreamed about! I feel like a new mama all over again lol He lets me do just about anything with him once h e is out of the cage I already have him spoiled (bad mommy lol) he let me trim him beak and nails.. The were both so long.. His beak was actually so long it was interfering with his eating.. The lady that had him just didn't take care of him.. He is a totally diffrent bird since I brought him home Friday.

[Shamelessmuse]

You are a wonderful person for what you did! I would however, beg you to call the humane society, animal control and get the local exotic bird rescue involved. Those other birds need help and they will need a good rescue and the authorites involved. The reason I say all three is the humane society will often put the pressure on to get it done. Good luck to you! I just started the journey of a rescue bird as well!

[Ladybug01976]

Oh yes i did that Friday before I even left collinsville with Cosmo they were supposed to go check her out ..

[HeatherStrella]

You're wonderful!! Your bird is letting you do more than mine will let me and I got her as a baby. :huh: It's wonderful what you're doing. I went into a pet shop last summer and found similar conditions as you...I called the SPCA and an officer went out on two different occasions. The first visit to check on them...he told them to clean up their act...the second visit was to see that they were doing right by those birds. I'm wondering if there's an agency you can call and have them go out to that house. Even if they don't find that the birds are being neglected, surely 15 dogs HAS to be too many by law.(??) By the way, I love the picture of Cosmo in the towel with his eyes closed...precious!!

[lovemyGreys]

Cosmo is a great looking grey, i have 2 rescues myself & know it is very rewarding to give less fortunate birds a new life, i am full of admiration for you.