We purchased several new toys,
perches, treats and two great play stands for our parrots, Smoki
(Timneh African Grey ) and Fluffy (Goffin
Cockatoo), from the Ohio bird show. The car was packed
with all our new goodies for our trip home. The only thing that would
make it better was to be bringing JozeyJo (Greenwing Macaw parrot)
with us.
It was good to be home.
We were all physically and mentally exhausted from our trip.
Looking at the empty macaw cage, in our living room, only made matters
worse. As I thought about our trip and my baby greenwing parrot
I began having doubts if we were doing the right thing. Even
though a great amount of thought had gone into our decision everything
seemed to be moving to fast with emotions running high. Were we even making
the right decision bringing any new babies home. Everything was running
so smoothly.
It was two years since we purchased
Fluffy(our goffin) and during that time we finally accomplished a great
routine for taking care of all our parrots. The feedings,
daily pickup, nightly cleanup, and then our one on one time had finally
all fallen into place. But then there was the empty cage sitting
there as a reminder of my "doggie birdie".
I decided to just pack up the cage
and return it immediately. I called the dealer to explain my situation
and to find out the best way of shipping the cage. The woman was
very helpful and sympathetic. I never spoke with her before, only
the owner. She explained how they handled their birds. Parrots???
In all the times I ordered my cages I never knew they handled baby parrots.
I guess the owner thought that if I was purchasing a cage I already had
my baby ;) Normally, he would be right but not this time.
We spoke for over an hour about a baby blue and gold macaw she was still
hand feeding.
By the end of the conversation I was
convinced the greenwing macaw was much to big and the blue and gold
macaw would fit into our lifestyle. I called Jerry and told him of
my findings. The store was in Michigan about an hour from the breeder
we visited the previous weekend. The plans were in place. We
would leave Friday when Jerry got off work, drive to Michigan and return
on Sunday. What was that I said about emotions running high???
Out the window with logic and doubts, my "doggie birdie" was waiting
for me.
The drive was terrible. We couldn't
see in front of us from the heavy rain. It wasn't anything like our
beautiful trip the previous week. I took that as being a good sign,
after all the other trip was a horrible disappointment but a beautiful
drive.
When I laid eyes on this beautiful
baby blue and gold there was not a doubt in my mind. This macaw baby was
going home with us. She was so docile and sweet, and much smaller
than the greenwing, making her much easier for us to handle. She
climbed from Jerry's shoulder to the top of my head which Jacob found extremely
funny. She was winning our hearts with each step she took.
We had a makeshift cage for JozeyJo
to travel in but she decided she liked Jacob's lap much better. She
loved to sit up looking out the window especially at night when the trucks
passed with their lights shinning in the windows. We couldn't wait
to show Jozey her new home and family.
When we arrived everyone was waiting
both human and feathered. Jozey made friends with all her human family
members, but her feathered family would have to wait for her six weeks
quarantine.
She loved her new large cage.
The one at the pet store was very small. Jozey climbed to the top,
on the outside of the cage, trying to step onto my head each time
I passed by. I was attempting to move things around Jacob's room,
where Jozey's cage would be for the next six weeks, but she had other ideas
for my time and attention. I learned from our other babies that the
worse thing to do is give "too" much attention when they first come home.
Its much better spending short periods, throughout the day. This
is extremely hard but in the long run much better for all in the household.
The next day Jerry had to go out of
town for two days leaving Jacob and I to handle the parrots and all the
chores. Under normal circumstances this would not be a big deal but
with the new baby and Jacob's science project due for school it very quickly
became total pandemonium. Divide and conquer were the words for the
day.
The babies didn't seem to mind the
early feedings and cleanup. They were enjoying the results.
Extra time in the evening for their daily one on one, accept this time
it was spent with me instead of splitting their time with Jerry.
Besides, with Jerry being gone I knew they sensed something or someone
different in the household. They were very vocal throughout the day
making me nervous it would upset out neighbors. All except Jozey,
who was the perfect angel. She didn't make a sound all day.
I was so proud of her :)
After putting all the babies to bed
for the night I hurried to get Jozey's food prepared so she could eat her
nightly feeding. Then, spend some time with her for socializing and
then off to bed so Jacob could do the same.
When I entered Jacob's room I realized
I forgot the paper towels (to wipe the formula off Jozey's face) so I quickly
left. When I started back up the stairs this horrible loud earth
shattering sound filled every room in our townhouse. It fell somewhere
between jet turbulence and the sonic boom. Charlie's scream
paled into insignificance with the sound that just exploded from my baby
macaw.
I immediately ran upstairs, dropping
the paper towels, expecting to see Jozey's foot or beak caught somewhere
on her new home. Instead I find her sitting atop the cage head bobbing
excitedly with my arrival. I stood for a moment to regain my breath
and composer before attempting to feed my baby whose voice just rocked
the entire complex. I think it even shocked her!
She was filled with energy not wanting
to go to bed, and it was long after her playtime before I even attempted.
It was only her first full day with us, but I could very easily sense that
she was totally at ease and comfortable with her new surroundings.
Once she was bedded down and covered
she settled in for the night. I retreated for some quiet time before
Jerry called to check in. Jozey's voice was sure to be on the top
of my list of exciting new things of the day. *grin*
