Left: Stanley, the Quaker Parakeet.

Below: Hey! Guess What? I have now fixed the photo of my beloved Gobo, so enjoy! Wicket's portrait coming soon, I am developing pictures this weekend.

Now a word from their owner (or more like the one THEY control): I consider Wicket and Gobo my 'children', as they are eternal 6 year olds! I love them dearly and could not live without them. I would find any way to keep them. This is why I have dedicated a page for them, as they are truly part of me.

How did I get them? Hmm. I have had previous birds while growing up. I had 2 beautiful Java Finches named Tweety and Woody whom were tame enough to let fly around the house. My sister has a cockatiel named Jasper. I have had a budgie I found outside a restaurant (after a severe storm) where I used to work; her name was Gizmo. She had to spend my whole work shift in a small box. Then I dragged her to a shop where I bought her a nice home. She became quite attached to me.

Around the last few years I had Gizmo, I was visiting a pet shop in the area, and came across a beautiful hand-fed Quaker parakeet. Normally, I would never buy from a pet shop, but since he was hand-fed, this would be the only exception to the rule. The other good part about him, was the price--only $80 cdn. If it had been a lot more, I doubt I would have bought him.

I named him Wicket (after the Star Wars trilogy charactor), and we both became very attached to each other. But then tragidy struck. I was out for only 2 hrs, but while I was leaving the room, a cat snuck in! Gizmo could get into and out of his cage, as I had been damaged when he had got spooked by a nearby crow. Needless to say, he did not stand a chance. But Wicket, survived the 2 hrs with the cat. Don't ask me how, amazing! I do not hold a grudge against the cat, as that is their instinctive behavour.

After a year or two by himself, I felt he needed company while I worked. I went to a local breeder of cockatiels (I did not want another quaker, as more than one would make too much noise!). I brought along Wicket to visit with her pet Quaker. My future cockatiel walked up to me and climbed up onto my shoulder. So, basically, my cockatiel picked me, not vice versa. Makes for a most attached if unusually independant animal. She does things her own way, but likes my company. She shows her attachment to me when I have been working or on holidays. She must be a reincarnated cat as she truly acts like one, coming for itches on her own time-making cat-like wimpers. I would swear that she is one.

They are both truly spoiled. They get free range of the house while I am home, I share my dinner/food with them (along with their normal diet), I give them lots of chew toys, I made a 'tree' for them out of my old tall wooden lamp; and I have given them real branches off trees as perches (they love chewing them). They are very empathic, especially noticable when I am sick (they will sleep with me).

Wicket's breed is the 2nd smartest parrot in the world, the smartest being the African Grey Parrot. He sure shows it! I swear he can understand me. He knows to go to his cage when I have to leave the house, I can order him to go to it at other times, and if he is not been too smart, he will listen. I cannot leave food around the house, or else he will immediatly find it, especially, when I have just left the room. He can unlock cages, so I must tie his cage door shut when I am gone. He loves travelling, can't stand it when I don't bring him along. If I had a car, I am sure I would take him for drives.

Infact, despite being severely injured this past August, he loved being taken along for a ride to local vet. He still was very himself despite having a big gash in his stomach area. The vet was amazed when he was very chatty and even laughing. He enjoys strangers, if I am with him and even enjoyed the cab ride home. He was plainly happy to go on a journy with me, strange as it seems.

Wicket's other favourite pastimes is baths. He will always let me know when he wants one. There is no doubting when he craves one. He and Gobo will also let me know when they are hungry and want to get into their cages.

So there you are. I am glad you got to meet my eternal children, Wicket and Gobo. Oh, Gobo is named after Gobo Fraggle from FRAGGLE ROCK as he too has a tail and a tuff on top of his head. He loves me whistling and dancing, especially to a dance version of 'Old Susanna', he goes nuts!

Here's to many healthy years (20-30) of close friendship with them. Carolyn '97