Sydney was a
very sweet grey cockatiel. She was the store mascot when we first
met her. She did all the cute little things that every bird owner
wants to see in their pet. To tell you the truth I didn't see all
her little tricks because I was too eager enjoying her gentleness.
I was a person that couldn't handle the presence of a parakeet in the same
room. unless of course it was caged. I had a horrible fear of ALL
birds. But there I was looking for a birdie for our son. Hoping to
ease the pain of Rainbow (our parakeet) that passed away a few days before.
It didn't take
long to realize that Jacob was mesmerized with Sydney along with a much
larger parrot. I saw several other cockatiels for a lot less money
but hubby said with my fear, it was better to spend the extra for Sydney.
After all she was already tame. That meant getting the cage, food,
perches, a few good toys, and of course munches. The total was much more
than I had imagined. "How much are small sports cars these
days?" I asked. The clerk laughed while reminding what a wonderful
pet I was taking home.
To make a long
story shorter, I fell in love with her and she with me. She wouldn't
go into her cage but would rather sit on my shoulder as I fed her by hand.
I looked like the cracker woman from all the crumbs rolling off my sweater.
But she was happy and isn't that what counted?
Two days later
we had a horrible snow storm but it was time to get her vet checked.
She was so perky and playful I knew she was healthy but you can never be
too sure.
Off to the university
we went (my daughter and I) with Sydney safely tucked in a box surrounded
with blankets. She traveled so well. She didn't seem to mind
sitting in the bottom of the box at all.
I watched as
people came in with more and more cats, dogs, snakes and some that wouldn't
even open their boxes. So I have no idea what they were holding.
I was proud of Sydney when she started to sing, well it was singing
to me ;)
An older gentleman
( with a large cat) was very curious as to what was in my covered box.
I told him a cockatiel, but he wasn't familiar. So he petted his
cat. Then Sydney began getting a bit antsy. I could hear her flapping
for a takeoff but I knew I couldn't open the box. After all,
remember I was scared to death of birds, only calm when they were caged.
What will I do if I lift the blanket and she takes off? How embarrassing
if she won't answer my call and return. Her wings were clipped but
did I know how far that could get her??
These questions
were soon to be answered by Sydney herself when she peeked her head out
of the blanket and proceeded to climb out of the box. Although my
daughter was laughing hysterically I knew she was also concerned with Sydney's
escape plan. After all she was only a part of our family for
two days, did she really like us, did she miss her friends at the pet store,
or was she just wanting attention?
Once her little
head was out there was no holding her back. She jumped onto my
lap nodded her head in my direction and calmly climbed up to my shoulder,
where she sat quietly until she fell asleep.
The cats and
dogs were a little uneasy but their owners were quite amazed at the darling
little birdie who took over the waiting area. Everyone had several
questions some of which I had no answers to at that point I told
them I was really a first time mother with cockatiels. I didn't tell
them of my fear of birds in general, but I knew if Sydney decided to take
flight that would be a quick realization.
Sydney went through
all her tests with flying colors. They told me I had a wonderful
little pet and there shouldn't be any kind of problems at all. I
should keep an eye out for all the normal illnesses bringing her back in
a year for another good check-up. I was so happy with the news,
like taking your baby for it's six weeks check-up. My daughter
(Lori) and I went to lunch and straight home. It was all quite taxing
on all of us and I knew Sydney wanted to see some familiar surroundings.
Two days later,
while carrying Sydney on my shoulder, I heard this horrible noise
behind me. I couldn't quite make it out but it sounded as though
someone had dropped a dozen raw eggs behind me. As I turned around
I saw the most disgusting sight I believe I have ever seen before in my
life. In fact, it was so bad I had no idea that it came from my lovely
little baby Sydney.
I immediately
put in a call to the vet. While waiting for his return
call I decided not to clean up the mess in case he questioned the size,
color, formation or whatever else he might want to ask I would not
destroy the evidence. LOL Sydney was hardly bothered
by all of this. She wanted her food and then napped on her perch.
I decided against holding her until I was sure she was empty. *smile*
