Come Together Family - We Need HELP!

[Uncle]

Many of you have been following and even posting to Wanda's thread. Some could not bear even reading about the situation. There have been heart-felt wishes and also a lot of advice. Years ago a wise man told me that I can not possibly understand another person's dilemma without having walked in their shoes. I have not walked in Wanda's shoes and neither has anyone else except Wanda. Our situations might be a bit similar to hers - but not "exactly" like hers.

With that said... Wanda has sent all four of her beloved birds off for a little reprieve at Anna's so Wanda and her husband can deal with their home-life without distractions. When Wanda and her husband get stronger and are able to take care of the birds - the birds will be returned to Wanda.

The four birds (3 Toos and a CAG) will be at Anna's home, living with Anna and her family for the time it takes for this situation to get better. Anna will take care of the birds like they are her own - with love and tender caring.

Family - Here is where we need your help. Anna does not have enough cages to house all four birds. She is one shy. She does have a King's cage that was donated to her, but the previous owner let it sit outside and it is all rusted. But being a well built Kings European cage it can be sand blasted and powder coated. The cost is estimated to be about $250 - $300.

I am asking every HappyBirdy family member to write out a check and mail it to Anna to help cover the cost of making that cage livable for one of the birds.

This is not where the help stops. Anna also needs toys and other items for these birds. I am asking each of you to do what you can during the following weeks and months to be a part of the helping hands.

Family - this is why HappyBirdy came into being... helping people help birds. I just didn't imagine that we would be put to the test so soon.

Please help where you can. God-forbid... someday one of your birds might need a helping hand here at HappyBirdy.

Email me at larry@vikinghost.net and I will supply you with Anna's postal address.

[bonnie]

Help is on the way!

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Thank you Bonnie.

I was not going to share this with any one except my self... but we are family here... I cry --- oh how I cry.

[bonnie]

Thru this whole thing I have been watching and waiting for something, ANYTHING I could do. I think that everyone in our family will feel that same way.

[bonnie]

Forgive me for being a little... ditzy, I'm sure there is a good reason behind the answer to this. Why weren't the cages sent to Anna along with the birds?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

That is a very good question.

I will start off to say - I firmly believe that there is a much higher power in the universe than we mere humans can fathom.

How part of this story unfolded...

Michelle's fiancie's Aunt who lived in Florida died a few days ago. So - before they left from NM (near where Anna lives) to drive to Florida, Michell offered to pick up Wanda's birds in Texas on their way back to New Mexico. At that time, Wanda was undecided as to give up all birds, two birds, or no birds. So, no arrangement was made with Michelle to pick up the birds on their return trip.

In the meantime while Michelle and her fiance were in Florida, Wanda decided it was best to foster all 4 birds with Anna. Then Anna tried to get hold of Michelle (for hours on end), but kept getting her voice mail. Finally Anna got though to Michelle - who said she had lost her cell phone but only this morning found it... they were approaching Texas at the time.

Anna told Michelle that she needed to stop at Wanda's house in Texas and pick up the birds and take them to Anna's --- which is over 14 hours away from Wanda's.

So - Michelle's fiancie's car is a bit small. They were able to fit 3 birds in carriers and the fourth bird sitting on Michelle's lap.

Bottom line - only the birds could fit in the car -- no room for the cages. And it is over 14 hours from Wanda's house in Texas to Anna's in New Mexico.

They should all arrive at Anna's about 2 this morning.

And that is the answer.

[bonnie]

SEE!!! I knew there was a reason I just wasn't seeing! Thanks Larry.:bowdown:

[Dot]

I am making some toys and need some too advice. Can tooz have those pacifiers that are on some toys. My RFM can crack them. The Scarlet ignores it and the zons lick them.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

With my Umbie... she will crack those hard plastic toys with ease. I no longer give them to her.... too dangerous for "her".

Every bird is different even within the same species.

Example - Umbies are known for being LOUD. But Baby is the quietest bird I have ever seen.

Baby loves to chew wood.... she will splinter a 2x4 within days. I buy pine 2x4s and slice them about 3/4 to 1-1/2 thick and drill holes in them to weave in weeping rope. I hang them toghether and then tie them onto the horizontal bars of her cage. She spends hours splintering them.

But she is a big chewer. Other Umbies might not be so.

Most likely each of the 4 birds do have certain preferences so - that toy could suite one of them.

[Dot]

Do they like shredding toys?

[bonnie]

With my Umbie... she will crack those hard plastic toys with ease. I no longer give them to her.... too dangerous for "her".

Every bird is different even within the same species.

Example - Umbies are known for being LOUD. But Baby is the quietest bird I have ever seen.

Baby loves to chew wood.... she will splinter a 2x4 within days. I buy pine 2x4s and slice them about 3/4 to 1-1/2 thick and drill holes in them to weave in weeping rope. I hang them toghether and then tie them onto the horizontal bars of her cage. She spends hours splintering them.

But she is a big chewer. Other Umbies might not be so.

Most likely each of the 4 birds do have certain preferences so - that toy could suite one of them.
I agree with Larry, Chicken is different. He will split wood, but when I give him plastic things the just chews on them but not hard enough to break them. I'll have to take a pic to explain, but he kind of shaves them if that makes any sense. He only gets them when he is supervised (they are on the perch and the shower curtain rod) so that I can pay attention to what he is doing. So I would send it for her to let them try.

[Dot]

With my Umbie... she will crack those hard plastic toys with ease. I no longer give them to her.... too dangerous for "her".

Every bird is different even within the same species.

Example - Umbies are known for being LOUD. But Baby is the quietest bird I have ever seen.

Baby loves to chew wood.... she will splinter a 2x4 within days. I buy pine 2x4s and slice them about 3/4 to 1-1/2 thick and drill holes in them to weave in weeping rope. I hang them toghether and then tie them onto the horizontal bars of her cage. She spends hours splintering them.

But she is a big chewer. Other Umbies might not be so.

Most likely each of the 4 birds do have certain preferences so - that toy could suite one of them.

They are attached by leather, so she could take them off if she felt they were dangerous. They should be safe with the grey.

[Dot]

Can I string wood with leather or will tooz just snap it like the macaws do?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Wood and leather are perfect for chewers. They also might like to untie the knots.

[FoxersArtist]

THANK YOU Michelle and Shane! You have done much more than anyone could have ever asked you. We're still waiting for you to get here, and it should be another hour or so. I think I actually managed to fit all of the new cages in the aviary, though our little flock of cockatiel will be living in the house with us from now on. I have a wonderfully vocal cockatiel, Rio, who sings the most beautiful songs, must have learned from the outdoor songbirds. We can't hear them out in the avairy unless we are out there, in which case Rio is quiet. He's been in the house for about 6 hours and already he is singing the most beautiful melodies. I missed hearing them! I will keep everyone posted, though please forgive me if I do no post until tomorrow afternoon. Today was a whirlwind of food and toy shopping, loading, moving and scrubbing cages, toy making, and who the heck knows what else at this point. I am exausted but there is still more too do before it's all done. I just wanted to check in and see how things were going. I'll be sure to post tomorrow. THANK YOU ALL for your wonderful support. It is a blessing and an honor to be part of this family.
-Anna

[lcarle]

Wonderful idea Larry and thank you for allowing us to help out!! Anna, you are a true blessing!! Thank you for bringing them into your loving home!!

Last year Brenda and Macaw Talk folks pitched in and sent my birds some toys when I was so in the hospital and recovering. I felt truly blessed. Brenda and anyone else that may have been a part of those special gifts, thanks again. So I cannot wait to help out.

Thanks again Larry and Anna.

[too&me]

Golly guys you are so wonderful & both the birds & Wanda & Anna will all be so uplifted by your support. Hope the transition goes well & Michelle & Hubby recover from the drive soon also. Good going troops! Even the weather was not Too bad. :yeah:

[birdie]

I have been looking for this post, help will be on the way. Anna & Andy are such dear people with kind hearts, Wanda's flock will do well there!
It is so great to be a part of such a wonderful family! :hugz:

[Julie]

A little something is on the way from us too!

Thank you all for being there when we need you the most. Life is always changing and having a family like this makes the impossible seem possible!

Julie :ty: