Wednesday, July 15, 2009

HAW How You ARE?



Helllllllo! The woman found this in the old files-an oldie but a goodie. It's how she saw me when I first came to live her, flamboyant and bright. I bet she wouldn't change a thing-I'm still still still the brightest thing EVER!

Yes, me me MEEEEE, Mister Birdy Bird! I call for my craps, I ask for APPLE APPLE AP-PUL and I get my way always. You'd be happy to if you were so wonderful as I am, me me me, Mister BIRD, BIRRRRRRRRRD. And you'd believe you were wonderful as I do if you'd only quit waiting for someone to tell you that you are and just declare it for yourself.

Happy Animal Wednesday-and what are you waiting for?

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A Shameful Confession

I have a bird "on the side" now. Oliver knew about Popeye-the resident African Grey at the bird feed store, but he didn't know about Cosmo, a Red Lored Amazon. I seriously adore that bird, in part because a friend of mine had one once, and I adored THAT bird too. And yesterday, I seriously thought about it.

But, I did not act. My house is small, and if the two didn't get along, it could be really awful. Amazons have a tendency to be a little screechy-and greys can mimic anything, and are notorious for being very possessive. Oliver is exceptional in that he gets along with the other animals, but I don't think he'd go for a similar sized bird who also talks and needs affection.

So, I will continue to see Cosmo when I make bird feed runs. We'll laugh and talk and flirt a bit. But then I'll come home to Oliver, happily and no regrets. Cosmo is the kind of bird that talks to ANYBODY-he's very outgoing. Oliver chose ME-and that makes him special.

14 comments:

soulbrush said...

hey mr best biggest bird...tell the woman to do more drawings of you, this is very special. and i still have your feather on my wall for good luck...now close your ears.... i wanna talk to the woman....
i know your shame debs...i would love another shih tsu doggie, but know that it would devastate little snuffa puffa, as she and i are ONE...
"Oliver chose ME-and that makes him special."

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a nice picture of Oliver. I agree with Soul. You should do some more pictures. HAW.

Julie said...

That wonderful pic of Oliver is amazing! Very very pretty! I think you are really making a good decision about the other bird based on what you know...and Oliver has to be #1. Definately!!!

Debra Kay said...

My aunt has two greys-one was her late husbands-and they don't stay in the same room as each other, but I think part of it is that each one needs her to be THE one and only one. The Mcaws don't seem to be that way-but they are a mated pair so they like each other too.

I think captive bred birds imprint on people rather than other birds. Oliver clearly sees himself, me, the dogs and the cat as a "flock" and the parakeets and snakes are just animals that live with us.

He also clearly sees whatever room his big cage in as HIS......but here's the cool part. The dog room/sun room is off the kitchen which has sliding glass doors and a screen door-so to the animals, it is part of the house. It's really neat-because on rainy days they can be "inside" to them, but outside to me.

He's very interested in watching me train the dogs and I think is beginning to understand cause (command) and effect (treat). I know the dogs can learn commands by example (Oliver the dog has a better sit than Molly who is formally being trained) so........

Oh DEAR-I'm speaking on Wednesday! Don't tell Oliver, he'd be pissed.

Debra Kay said...

My aunt has two greys-one was her late husbands-and they don't stay in the same room as each other, but I think part of it is that each one needs her to be THE one and only one. The Mcaws don't seem to be that way-but they are a mated pair so they like each other too.

I think captive bred birds imprint on people rather than other birds. Oliver clearly sees himself, me, the dogs and the cat as a "flock" and the parakeets and snakes are just animals that live with us.

He also clearly sees whatever room his big cage in as HIS......but here's the cool part. The dog room/sun room is off the kitchen which has sliding glass doors and a screen door-so to the animals, it is part of the house. It's really neat-because on rainy days they can be "inside" to them, but outside to me.

He's very interested in watching me train the dogs and I think is beginning to understand cause (command) and effect (treat). I know the dogs can learn commands by example (Oliver the dog has a better sit than Molly who is formally being trained) so........

Oh DEAR-I'm speaking on Wednesday! Don't tell Oliver, he'd be pissed.

Debra Kay said...

Soul-it's also not fair to the "secondary dog" and I didn't realize that until after Dottie passed away. By holding her above all others, I was holding back some of me that the other dogs needed.

I have to say, my pack is more content now that I am Alpha with no second in command. Every now and then one tries to come in and BE my second, but I correct it.

And now, instead of a special connection with one dog, I have a special connection with 6, with my Dottie Angel looking down with approval.

Teri said...

That is a fabulous portrait of you Oliver. I think it is time for another one. And don't listen to anything anyone whispers in your ear about the 'others'.

HAW

kj said...

debra kay: fyi, you've booked what should be a lovely fall season definitely without snow and probably perfecto for bike riding.

and i'll bet you meet a few friends that week.....

:)

Debra Kay said...

KJ-thanks. I really am a bit phobic about snow and travel-and snow in general. In the south we get sheets of solid ice-which we call snow. And in the open areas you can get white out-which is soooo weird-you can't tell up from down and you get dizzy-and if you weren't sharing the highway with a bunch of snow blind semi's, it might be fun.

Mim said...

DEBS IS COMING TO THE NORTHEAST!!! Hurray - I'll be visiting.

(HAW by the way)

kj said...

deb, there will be no snow.

now, about your post: i love your drawing, very talented.

about your budding affair: you are an equal opportunity bird flirt. what's wrong with that?

:)

Debra Kay said...

Just like any other flirtation-the key is knowing when to stop! While I do adore Cosmo, I don't think it would be that much fun to have TWO very demanding birds, who would probably feed off each other in terms of neediness.

Also, at 9, Oliver is ending his moody, hormonal phase. Cosmo is younger, and I don't think I have the patience for years and years of that crap....LOL.

To anyone over 40 thinking of adopting a parrot-consider rescuing an older bird. Unfortunately, most end up in rescues at just the most awful stage in their lives. If you can get one at the end of that stage or beyond, you'll save yourself a lot of nips and squawks. Also, many rescues do a lot of rehab work with them.

A spoon fed baby is cute, and endearing-but in about 3-4 years that baby is going to be awful for a good 5 years.

Oliver was a nasty little brat when I got him, but with a little work he's settled down and is only getting better and better. AND, he's smart enough to know someone didn't like him very much for awhile (whoever got rid of him) and now someone loves him dearly (Me).

Now if we can get Moon and Molly all grown up I'll have it made!

scupper79 said...

Is there a chance that your Cosmo was from Missouri?

please contact me if so:

scupper79@msn.com

he was taken from me, and I am looking for him something fierce.
we were the best of buddies, and I hurt when I think of him.

ck

scupper79 said...

was Cosmo from Missouri?


I am looking for him.

ck