Field Trip

Went for another ride in that unpleasant moving room my flockmate (FM) calls a "car." First she put me in the tiny carrier made of wood (which is really fun to shred) and wire, which I can't seem to break but which makes this cool snapping sound when I pull on it with my beak.

Anyway, we drove for a long time, my FM trying to distract me by singing (tho she doesn't have the best singing voice I've ever heard). I was okay because she always told me when we were going to go and when we were going to stop, so I wasn't surprised. Have I mentioned I don't like surprises?

We went back to that place where they pulled out my feather and clipped my beautiful long, sharp claws, but nothing like that happened this time. My FM just carried me around on her finger and even let me sit on her shoulder for awhile. There were a lot of other birds around, and lots of colorful toys and other stuff all over the walls! Then all of a sudden she stuffed me in this strange cage! I was too surprised to be scared, and she told me it was okay, so I settled down on the perch that was inside it. So then guess what she did. She hung the cage on her shoulders by some straps and carried me all around the store with her! It was very strange, but I kind of liked it. She told me we could go for lots of walks now, with me in the hanging cage where I'd be safe.

Then we drove to a house and met her friends, a lady named Leah and a boy named Jake. There was also a dog (scary thing that made such a racket) named Buddy, but Jake took him away and then I felt happier. Jake really liked me, and he was very nice, so I let him hold me and only bit him a little very gently, but he didn't get mad or scared. So I even let him give me some skritches on my head.

Then we went to another house and my FM talked to some guy she called "Plumber," and let me ride on her finger while we walked around outside and inside. Then she put together a big cage (but it's not as big as my home nest cage) that I rode in on the way home. It was lots better than that little carrier thing, but I was still a little nervous about all the movement. She still told me when we were going to go and when we were going to stop, but she didn't sing, thank goodness!

I was so glad to get back home, and I was really tired too. I guess my FM was also tired because she went to lay down and I slept for a long time on my perch in my very own really big comfy cage. I'm still tired today, but she's getting ready to take me out for a walk. She promised me an almond when I get into the little cage, so you KNOW I'll be hopping right in. I LOOOOOOVE almonds best of anything!

My Portrait

This morning, my flockmate, who sometimes calls herself "Mom," points this black box at me and there was this flashing light and then she says, "Oh, you bwootiful bird!" Then she did something on the thing she calls Computer, clicking on that fascinating thing she calls Keyboard, and suddenly there was this bwootiful bird in the window. She said the bird is a picture of me, but I know is another bird on the other side of the window. I tried to get the other bird to come in and play with me, gave it kisses, even said, "It's okay," but nothing worked. It's annoying, but what can you do? Some birds are just shy.

Now we're going to the bathroom so my flockmate/mom can get wet under the waterfall. Why she wants to do that is beyond me. I hate getting wet in the waterfall place. Last time she took me in the waterfall place with her, I let her know in no uncertain terms that I didn't like it. She doesn't make me get in there anymore, but she does let me hang with her in the steamy bathroom. I don't mind that, especially when she gives me paper to shred.

After she puts on her feathers ~ she calls 'em clothes ~ we're going to go out and get my new play stand, whatever that is. I'm not sure about riding in the car, but it wasn't sooo bad last time, so maybe it'll be okay this time. Just so long as I get some treats at the end of the trip...

Today Is The First Day!

Here she is! Yes, I said "she." The other African Gray didn't work out, but I was fortunate that Nickel needed to find a new home and I was chosen! I feel bad for her first mom, but I promise to take really good care of her and play with her and give her oodles of attention! And toys. Anyway, I brought her home this evening, and here she is in her new cage swinging like mad. I hope she settled down to sleep sometime. Maybe when I turn out the light in a few minutes.

I feel incredibly fortunate and honored and happy tonight.

A Gray of My Own

I've only just learned that I may soon have a Gray of my own or, more accurately, a Gray will soon own me. *crosses fingers, toes, eyes* All I know about this African Gray parrot is that he is a Congo (type of subspecies) and an "extremely smart healthy male who's family is allergic" to him. I feel really sorry for that family, because no matter what the reason it's got to be painful to give up one's feathered friend (or, as some people (not me) might say, one's "pet bird"), but I'm very pleased for me, because I had an African Gray once before and am so excited to maybe be getting another one.

Roddy, a Timnah (which is a bit smaller than a Congo), was given to me by the son of a woman who had passed away. Though I had Roddy only a short 5 years, we bonded like I've bonded with no pet I'd ever had before or since, and I loved her so much! In fact, I believe she saved my life (or at least my sanity) when my daughter was going through the worst of her teen years. For that two or three year period of time, it seemed to me sometimes that Roddy was the only living creature who was truly happy to see me.

Anyway, I lost her much too soon to cancer of the wing, which was misdiagnosed by the vet I initially took her to see. To make a long, painful story short, even though her wing was eventually amputated by the second vet, the cancer spread and she died soon after. I still miss her.

Now, five years later, I'm again ready to be the friend and caregiver of another African Gray, to experience the laughter, joy, and caregiving that comes with living with an intelligent, mischievous, loving Gray.