FoxersArtist
07-17-2009, 07:13 PM
Hello there!
My name is Sheba and I am a Patagonian Conure. Where on earth could my story begin? I have had such a long life and could go on and on about the experiences I have had and the things I have been through. You see, I am already 30 years old which is a big number for a little conure like me! I have a really foggy memory and can’t remember some of the details, but I know I used to be full of life and attitude but I have slowed down a lot in the last few years. My spunk still shows through sometimes because I get really excited to see my people. I bob my head and click my beak at them to let them know how I feel and my new foster momma giggles at me, which makes me feel special! I wish I could say that my life has been easy and I have spent most of my time living it up, but my body would tattle on me to show otherwise, even if I talked myself into believing it. Because of my age, my foster mom says that it is very likely that I was imported into the United States a long time ago. I don’t remember living in the wild, but I know that I would have had a much different life out there! Instead I was kept as a pet and passed from home to home. My last owner was really attached to me and it was very hard for her to let me go, but she realized that she was not taking good care of me and decided it would be the right thing to give me and my brothers and sisters up. I haven’t been feeling very good lately and was glad that my new foster mom took me to the vet. I cooperated very well because I wanted them to find out what was wrong with me so maybe they could help me. I already knew that I could not see out of one eye, and the vet said that the lens in my eye just fell right out, probably due to my age! I have been having such a hard time walking lately. My feet feel so stiff and sore and it is hard for me to open and close my feet. The vet says that I have arthritis which has caused one of my feet to twist sideways. I told her that I’m tough and can handle it. I don’t even walk with a limp, but it’s very hard for me to climb around in my cage. Instead of stepping me up, my foster mommy just scoops me up and holds me close to her chest and I really like that. When I went to the vet, she also told my foster mom that I was malnourished and lacking in nearly all of the essential vitamins needed plus protein. My bloodwork showed some kidney damage which the vet thinks is normal for my older age, but wants mom to feed me protein anyway because my body needs it so much. I have big black spots on all my feathers – how embarrassing – and though I quietly asked if mom could find me some safe feather dye so I don’t look different than all the other conures, mom says I could look like a whole new bird with some good nutrition in my diet. That makes me feel good. Mom thinks it’s important for me to eat lots of good stuff also because I came to her very thin. I thought that I was just getting smaller because I am older, and change is inevitable, but the vet found out that I had an infection that was making me lose lots of weight. They gave me some medicine and I was such a good girl and never argued with the treatment. I know they are trying to help me feel better. I love to eat and now I have lots of yummy treats waiting in my bowl for me. I think that’s the best! I know I’m not going to live a very long time, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like someone really loves me and cares about how I feel. I have had such a hard life and it feels so nice to be at peace, to have a tummy full of yummy food, and to sit with my foster mom and dad at night and just melt into their laps. I love to have my head rubbed and just close my eyes to enjoy every moment. Even though I have experienced a lot of hurt in my life, there is still nothing greater than the love of a human, and I am so very grateful for this chance to live out the rest of my days knowing love. I may be old, but I promise I have more love to give than any other bird you have ever met! I would love to start a new relationship with someone who can pour all of their love into me. I really don’t want to be just one face among the crowd because I don’t have much time left and want a person who can put as much energy into me as possible. I have lived long enough to know that dreams can come true, and am just praying that mine will come true before the next chapter of my journey unfolds.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Shebacuddles.jpg
YouTube - Patagonian Conure Sheba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y3kpKAW1xE)
Update:
Sheba is doing very well. She is off her antibiotics and gaining weight and has a little more spunk and energy. We have switched her over to a mix with lots of extra goodies in it including moist dried fruits and veggies and have been offering her as much table food as possible. She nips at us sometimes we we pick her up (probably because she hurts) but adores to snuggle with us. She is the most gentle and sweet little girl and I just cannot imagine how anyone could not fall in love with her. I hope that like cockatiel Mateo, Sheba will be able to find a family to lavish and cherish her in her old age.
-Anna
My name is Sheba and I am a Patagonian Conure. Where on earth could my story begin? I have had such a long life and could go on and on about the experiences I have had and the things I have been through. You see, I am already 30 years old which is a big number for a little conure like me! I have a really foggy memory and can’t remember some of the details, but I know I used to be full of life and attitude but I have slowed down a lot in the last few years. My spunk still shows through sometimes because I get really excited to see my people. I bob my head and click my beak at them to let them know how I feel and my new foster momma giggles at me, which makes me feel special! I wish I could say that my life has been easy and I have spent most of my time living it up, but my body would tattle on me to show otherwise, even if I talked myself into believing it. Because of my age, my foster mom says that it is very likely that I was imported into the United States a long time ago. I don’t remember living in the wild, but I know that I would have had a much different life out there! Instead I was kept as a pet and passed from home to home. My last owner was really attached to me and it was very hard for her to let me go, but she realized that she was not taking good care of me and decided it would be the right thing to give me and my brothers and sisters up. I haven’t been feeling very good lately and was glad that my new foster mom took me to the vet. I cooperated very well because I wanted them to find out what was wrong with me so maybe they could help me. I already knew that I could not see out of one eye, and the vet said that the lens in my eye just fell right out, probably due to my age! I have been having such a hard time walking lately. My feet feel so stiff and sore and it is hard for me to open and close my feet. The vet says that I have arthritis which has caused one of my feet to twist sideways. I told her that I’m tough and can handle it. I don’t even walk with a limp, but it’s very hard for me to climb around in my cage. Instead of stepping me up, my foster mommy just scoops me up and holds me close to her chest and I really like that. When I went to the vet, she also told my foster mom that I was malnourished and lacking in nearly all of the essential vitamins needed plus protein. My bloodwork showed some kidney damage which the vet thinks is normal for my older age, but wants mom to feed me protein anyway because my body needs it so much. I have big black spots on all my feathers – how embarrassing – and though I quietly asked if mom could find me some safe feather dye so I don’t look different than all the other conures, mom says I could look like a whole new bird with some good nutrition in my diet. That makes me feel good. Mom thinks it’s important for me to eat lots of good stuff also because I came to her very thin. I thought that I was just getting smaller because I am older, and change is inevitable, but the vet found out that I had an infection that was making me lose lots of weight. They gave me some medicine and I was such a good girl and never argued with the treatment. I know they are trying to help me feel better. I love to eat and now I have lots of yummy treats waiting in my bowl for me. I think that’s the best! I know I’m not going to live a very long time, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like someone really loves me and cares about how I feel. I have had such a hard life and it feels so nice to be at peace, to have a tummy full of yummy food, and to sit with my foster mom and dad at night and just melt into their laps. I love to have my head rubbed and just close my eyes to enjoy every moment. Even though I have experienced a lot of hurt in my life, there is still nothing greater than the love of a human, and I am so very grateful for this chance to live out the rest of my days knowing love. I may be old, but I promise I have more love to give than any other bird you have ever met! I would love to start a new relationship with someone who can pour all of their love into me. I really don’t want to be just one face among the crowd because I don’t have much time left and want a person who can put as much energy into me as possible. I have lived long enough to know that dreams can come true, and am just praying that mine will come true before the next chapter of my journey unfolds.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Fosters/Shebacuddles.jpg
YouTube - Patagonian Conure Sheba (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y3kpKAW1xE)
Update:
Sheba is doing very well. She is off her antibiotics and gaining weight and has a little more spunk and energy. We have switched her over to a mix with lots of extra goodies in it including moist dried fruits and veggies and have been offering her as much table food as possible. She nips at us sometimes we we pick her up (probably because she hurts) but adores to snuggle with us. She is the most gentle and sweet little girl and I just cannot imagine how anyone could not fall in love with her. I hope that like cockatiel Mateo, Sheba will be able to find a family to lavish and cherish her in her old age.
-Anna