My Bronze-Wing Comes Home

As some of you know, I purchased a Bronze-Wing Pionus from a breeder way back in September ('96) and have been waiting for him to wean (I've never hand fed and with my work schedule, did not want to). Tonight (Thanksgiving Day!) he is finally home, but I have a few new white hairs!

First, was so nervous with anticipation that Tony and I walked out the back door without my house and car keys. I keep a spare in a hiding place, thank god, so that didn't stop us for long - but it did set the mood for the night!

Made it to Philadelphia without getting lost or getting stuck in traffic (big accomplishment on this, the busiest travel day of the year). Because BW is still getting one hand feeding a day (although he only takes a few ccs), the breeder spent a long time with me, showing me how to make the formula (she mixes baby food with it! What a great way to get them to like a variety of flavors!), test it for temperature, etc. After getting a feel for it, she had me feed all of her baby pionus - both the BWs and four blue-heads. My BW was first, and he only took a drop or two, which she said mine had been doing. The second BW sucked down the whole syringe, as did the BHs. Boy what an experience. I was pretty nervous at first but by the last bird I felt comfortable enough to accept taking him home without him being completely weaned (please no flames). The BHs pumped a lot, the BWs were pretty blase about it. What a wonderful experience (but wouldn't want to do it for a living).

After we got everyone cleaned, we talked for quite a while, with my BW sitting on Tony's arm quite calmly, with an extremely intelligent look in his eye, checking us out. He let me scratch his chin and around his cheeks, and fluffed up - which the breeder said he rarely did for them - she said he really took to us! He is a magnificent bird, truly stunning subtle colors.

So down to business, I got my purse to whip out the old Visa card to complete the purchase - and my wallet was gone! Instant panic! Then I remembered I bought gas on the way, so I didn't leave it at home, it must be in the car and thank god, it was, right on the back seat, open, in full view of anyone walking by. (Big Thank You to Higher Power).

She writes up the bill (bird minus deposit plus syringe and weaning food), and I hand her my Visa. She looks at it and says, "This card has expired."

I almost faint.

"Oops", she says. "It expires in October 97" - next year. My heart is pounding so hard it hurts. I have to go sit down. Will I ever get this bird home?

We get everything wrapped up, I warm up the car (carefully removing the door key, holding it clenched tight in my hot little hand, so I can lock the car - my luck tonight would be the night someone steals the swamp-mobile), they give the BW a quick wing trim, kiss and hugs goodbye, and tuck him into my carrier, and off we go! Yeah!

To immediately get lost trying to find Roosevelt Blvd. Twenty minutes later some nice man at a 7-11 gets us pointed in the right direction and finally, finally, we get home.

Thank god its a holiday! I don't have to go back to work till Tuesday! Now let me calmly handle this change in the dynamics of the household. The quarantine will be tough cause Bandit, my Nanday, feels that if I am home, he should be either on me or in the same room. I know my time with the new bird (who's in my bedroom for the time being) will be spent to the accompaniment of Nanday shrieks.

Now I gotta come up with a name.

Modified March 22, 1999