Foster Updates (Long)

[FoxersArtist]

Rico is really starting to show us his sweet and outgoing personality and he was talking up a storm today saying "hello, step up, pretty bird, Riiiiiicccccco, and Rico Suavey." He's the ultimate optimist and I'm just totally in love with his energy. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of chrissy. He is sweet, lovey, personable, outgoing, and comical. His new owners are going to be blessed with a little bird that hardly has a complaint in the world and a whole ball of feathers full of love. As a plus, his coloring is just stunning. He kind of looks like an amazon trapped in the body of a conure, with a face like a bourke's.

Sydney hasn't plucked in 2 days and we're really happy about that! She seems much calmer out in the aviary where there are other birds to keep her company. Brenda sent her some toys and she has really seemed to enjoy having some nice things to play with. She has been sitting on top of her cage, most of the day, playing with a whicker toy that Dot sent and I think that has really helped her to quit overpreening so much as well. She doesn't seem to have a whole lot of energy and mostly supervises the other birds. She is getting sweeter by the day and now readily steps up for both andy and I. she does not shake or shiver and has been letting me give her nice long head rubs. I'm still having difficulty trying to get her to eat anything but those sunflower seeds and even eggs or cheese she only eats a tiny bit before throwing away. Hopefully we can get this under control soon.

Goofy loves Andy of course as he seems to have that magic with the U2s (except bhodi). I think we're going to change her name to Pookie as that sounds like Goofy and it suites her. I can't handle her without the threat of a bite, but she hasn't gotten me yet. She is a big mouth and jabbers up a storm all day long saying "I love you" over and over again. The rest of the time she sounds like the adult voices in charlie brown. We put her in a much larger cage that was recently donated to us and she is really enjoying all the room to romp. I'll have to take a photo...but she is a bit unusual in that she has the lightest eyes I have ever seen on a U2...almost redish.

Bhodi is doing so much better and I am soooo in love with this bird. He is all love and cuddles, likes to play with things, likes to share my food, and has even started talking a bit. He still doesn't like Andy and gets too excited when he is in eye sight but with me he is gentle as a lamb and carefully preens all of my fingers one by one. We have still not found anyone who is seriously interested in him who I feel would be capable of handling him. I'm concerned that at this point, moving him to a new home will cause him to start screaming again, so we are just going to hang tight until we are sure he is secure enough to handle a big change. He goes through toys amazingly fast so we're going to have to take some time to sit down and make some more for him. I won't give him anything to chew except wood since I have a hunch he might swallow pastic or metal if he got the chance.

Hobbit is still here and I wish she could stay forever. She fits in with our flock flawlessly and has the most endearing personality. She is full of herself but equally into loving you. She brings us lots of smiles and loves to do the hobbit head bob. She will be such a blessing to a lucky someone.

Zazu is still here also and waiting for his special home. There have been quite a few women interested in him, but he really seems to like men better so we're holding off until his man comes along.

Sydney in the aviary:
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Birdy%20Videos/?action=view&current=SydneyAviary.flv

Rico the Magellan conure, just hanging out:
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Birdy%20Videos/?action=view&current=Rico.flv

-Anna

[too&me]

Ricco does have a Bourkie face he is so alert & interested in what is happening around him. Does not miss much I think. Sydney looks more relaxed now almost like she took a deep breath & let it out because she feels safe now.

[Birdlover]

What wonderful updates Anna. Loved the videos too. You definitely have a wonderful way with birds :)

[Chrissy and Flock]

Anna have any of the birds picked up any baby sounds from Katie....

[Evelyn]

Anna -

I don't remember Hobbit. What's his story?

I think Bhodi is the biggest miracle. I am confident you could do something with Gyro and me; but I've decided to leave him where he is. Although I believe I could conquer the fear now (I've been bitten harder by other birds), it would be selfish of me to take him away from where he is happy. He hates being caged, and he can fly free where he is. He loves Lois, and she, him. And I can see him when I want to.

I used to not be able to understand how mothers could give up their children for adoption; but I think I can now. If you really love somebody, their happiness and well-being is more important than your own.

Don't animals teach us profound truths sometimes?

BTW, you didn't respond to my question about the huge dog in one of your videos. He is very unusual looking. What is he; and is he as gentle as he looks?

Evelyn

[birdie]

Awww Sydney :hart: what a sweetie:) Rico is a pretty bird.
Some of the birds you foster must be so hard to let them go.

[bonnie]

Do you think maybe Sydney is doing better because Rico and Goofy are there?

[FoxersArtist]

Hi Evelyn.
Hobbit is a 20 year old jenday conure who went on a plucking spree at some point in her life. She does not pluck anymore but she will always be naked. She has the most wonderful, outgoing, happy go lucky personality in the whole world and she thinks she is the most beautiful creature there ever was. I agree. Her owners felt that she was getting too loud to handle and because they are on disability they were becoming concerned that they could no longer give her the care she needs. They are wonderful people and have been supporting our rescue with lots of kindness, and I think they probably realized that Hobbit could be happier even though they really cared about her. When they adopted her 8 years ago, she had already been plucked, so we don't know the rest of the story.

Barron is an irish wolfhound/Saint Bernard cross and he is MY Gyro. I got him as a puppy and did a lot of research on dog training. I worked with him to accept a lead, to sit, heal, speak, shake and the works and even took him to work with me every day. He was my baby.

After his first 4th of july, something in the dog just snapped and he became very fearful. I tried to work with him but his fear issues only got worse and we became very frustrated with him. I could not even take him outside to go for a walk as he would look skyward as if something was going to drop on his head or he would hear a small sound and bolt, dragging me along with his 120lb self. We got another dog, hoping that he would settle down with company, but he didn't.

The only time Barron seemed calm and happy was when he was visiting with one of his litter mates. We made a very hard decision to send him to live with a friend who has one of his siblings. He is doing great with them and has totally calmed down. He goes running and camping and hiking in the mountains and is spoiled rotten at home. He has a great life, but every time I see his picture I feel sick because I know I lost my sweet baby. He was the most wonderful dog ever, and still is! I'm glad he is happy where he is at, but I miss him.
-Anna
PS: I think you are making a good decision about your sweet Gyro. Sometimes it's best to let them go when they are happy somewhere else.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa154/Foxersartist/Sloan%20Family/AnnaBarron.jpg
Anna -

I don't remember Hobbit. What's his story?

I think Bhodi is the biggest miracle. I am confident you could do something with Gyro and me; but I've decided to leave him where he is. Although I believe I could conquer the fear now (I've been bitten harder by other birds), it would be selfish of me to take him away from where he is happy. He hates being caged, and he can fly free where he is. He loves Lois, and she, him. And I can see him when I want to.

I used to not be able to understand how mothers could give up their children for adoption; but I think I can now. If you really love somebody, their happiness and well-being is more important than your own.

Don't animals teach us profound truths sometimes?

BTW, you didn't respond to my question about the huge dog in one of your videos. He is very unusual looking. What is he; and is he as gentle as he looks?

Evelyn

[FoxersArtist]

Do you think maybe Sydney is doing better because Rico and Goofy are there?
I showed Sydney that rico and goofy are here but those birds are across the house in quarantine and Sydney is out in the aviary. She didn't really seem to care, to be honest. Her previous owners stated that Sydney always thought she was above the others...maybe that's why.
-Anna

[too&me]

Such a difficult story to tell. I feel the love for Barron & he is beautiful, sometime the letting go is the start of a new & wonderful journey. Evelyn I'm certain you did the right thing for Gyro too and you have the comfort of being able to visit him. I just wish it didn't hurt so much.

[Evelyn]

Anna -

I understand exactly how you feel about Barron. And it makes me feel better knowing that you understand exactly the way I feel about Gyro.

Barron looks very intelligent, and boy, is he big!

You mentioned July 4th. Do you think the fireworks frightened him that much?

My Lily (Standard Poodle) is afraid of thunder and fireworks. She comes to find me and trembles until it is over. But afterwards, she is her sweet self again. This is a dog who has traveled places I've never been. She flew to Texas to finish her show career with her breeder when her trainer in Virginia died from cancer, and she traveled all over going to shows.

Now, that is the life to have, if you are going to be a showdog. She traveled in an air conditioned van; she lived indoors with the trainers (both so them). The Texas trainer didn't believe processed dog food was good for dogs, so she cooked for her dogs every day (healthy stuff).

Lily got knocked down a peg or two when she came home.

We only showed her, though, because our contract with the breeder required us to show her to her championship, breed her one time to a dog of the breeder's choice, and give her the pick of the litter. I wanted that particular dog because she was the great-granddaughter of my first Standard Poodle who died of cancer. Lena had one litter of puppies and then was spayed because she didn't like being a mother. There is no room for a spayed female in a breeding kennel, and I bought her when she was 8. I had just lost a Miniature Schnauzer to cancer. I knew she wouldn't live a long time. As you know, the larger the dog the shorter the lifespan. I loved her dearly, and she was euthanized at 11 because she had cancer. I was devastated. With the help of Lena's breeder, I tracked down the people who had bought her 11 puppies, hoping that somebody had kept one and bred it. The very last dog I found had been shown to his championship, and the original owner kept him and bred him and kept a female from the litter (Lena's mother). She flew to us from New Hampshire. When it was time to breed her, I sent her back to her breeder who bred her and whelped the puppies. I knew if I saw any of them I would keep them all. As it turned out she had only three--one of whom died shortly after birth.

God, I'm turning into a long-winded somebody.

Evelyn

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

wonderful updates Anna...i love your pictures and videos always and wish you all the best

[Chrissy and Flock]

Evelyn I had a miniature poodle ... he died of old age he was 3 weeks shy of being 16 yrs old ... he was 3 weeks old when the breeder sold him to us. He told us he was a tiny teacup (that explained the size) ... we didnt see the parents because it was late in the evening by the time we got to the breeders... breeder said he had not gotten paperwork back from AKC and would mail them to us when he did... We received the papers 2 months later lo and behold... he was born Nov. 29 we bought him on Dec 23... I would never have taken him back there... I handfed him canned puppy food till he learned how to eat by himself... he was a wonderful dog... the toy poodle I have now is just like him... sometimes I think its him reincarnated... speaking of reincarnation ... lots of my friends want to come back as a pet in my house... I DONT KNOW WHY... :smiles:

[Evelyn]

Evelyn I had a miniature poodle ... he died of old age he was 3 weeks shy of being 16 yrs old ... he was 3 weeks old when the breeder sold him to us. He told us he was a tiny teacup (that explained the size) ... we didnt see the parents because it was late in the evening by the time we got to the breeders... breeder said he had not gotten paperwork back from AKC and would mail them to us when he did... We received the papers 2 months later lo and behold... he was born Nov. 29 we bought him on Dec 23... I would never have taken him back there... I handfed him canned puppy food till he learned how to eat by himself... he was a wonderful dog... the toy poodle I have now is just like him... sometimes I think its him reincarnated... speaking of reincarnation ... lots of my friends want to come back as a pet in my house... I DONT KNOW WHY... :smiles:

Chrissy -

Have you read Dean Koontz's latest novel, "The Darkest Evening of the Year?" I like him because many of his books have dogs in them playng some important role, and you can always trust him not to break your heart over them. Anyway, the book is about a Golden Retriever who was the reincarnatee ? If you like mysteries and you like dogs, you will love the book. Another great book of his is "Dragon Tears," which also involves a dog.

He's a little over the top, but not nearly as much as Stephen King. You can read him and think, "This could happen, maybe, if I don't analyze it too much."

Evelyn

[lcarle]

Wow!!! You are amazing!!!! Thank you soooo much for all you do for these animals!!! I would love to rehome Rico!! I lost my sun conure last July and truly miss her!! I figured some day the good Lord would bring me another one through rehoming. But of course life has been a challenge with getting my health back in check. You are a true blessing.

[FoxersArtist]

Wow!!! You are amazing!!!! Thank you soooo much for all you do for these animals!!! I would love to rehome Rico!! I lost my sun conure last July and truly miss her!! I figured some day the good Lord would bring me another one through rehoming. But of course life has been a challenge with getting my health back in check. You are a true blessing.

Laura,
Rico is sooo special and we are just totally in love. I'm going to give Bonnie the first chance to meet him because think he would be a fantastic personality match for her, but if you were serious I would be happy to e-mail you if she decides he isn't for her.

I always warn people not to get too close to me. I spread MBS all over the place. Larry, your next. :D
-Anna

[Cheryl]

I love the pics and updates of all your birds. Send more.

[Chrissy and Flock]

Laura,

I always warn people not to get too close to me. I spread MBS all over the place. Larry, your next. :D
-Anna

Yea Larry you need at least one more bird....:D

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Ganging up on me - I see.

Keep trying - maybe some day... after I get baby under control. Yeah Right! :rolleyes:

[Chrissy and Flock]

If you wait till then you will never get another one... besides she needs a buddy...

[too&me]

I think Baby has you under control Larry!

[Larry, Baby and Me]

If you wait till then you will never get another one... besides she needs a buddy...

I was thinking about an albino eagle to keep her company. I think that would be the "only" bird she would not be able to intimidate. :exct:

[too&me]

Anna says that Zazu likes men best, he would be the other end of the spectrum from Baby. He is about the same size as her beak. Kind of the busy bumblebee of the bird world. Huge personality in a tiny container. Surely you can't resist?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

It's not that Baby likes women over men --- it's just that she loves da momma more.

[too&me]

You said nothing about your resistance levels... are you weakening? is so cute!!!

[lcarle]

Hi Anna

Sorry it took me a while to respond to your e-mail. Computer was having issues again and there was a big family celebration in Idaho I attended. Anyways, if finding a new home for Rico falls through, then yes please talk with me. Sounds like it will be easy to place him and he will bring joy into someone's home.

Hope your household is staying healthy.