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Post by aaron on Sept 18, 2019 7:01:40 GMT -5
Hi guys!
Just checking in to say hello! Sorry I have been so absent. Life has been quite intense, but we're all doing well, including little Cupcake, who is sweet as ever. I do manage to post a picture or video of her periodically on Instagram, but that's about it for my social media activity these days. Still working on my health, which is stubborn, but definitely improved a lot since I was last here.
Hope everyone is doing well!!
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Benjy
Sept 18, 2019 6:57:10 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by aaron on Sept 18, 2019 6:57:10 GMT -5
Been a long time since I have been around, sorry guys!! But saw this and wanted to say sorry about Benjy... I can imagine it would be a huge adjustment to go from six to three in the flock! Our little friends are so important in our lives...
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Post by aaron on Aug 19, 2018 13:53:31 GMT -5
Glad to hear you have made some progress with your little friend... I don’t feel like I’ve ever seen Cupcake pull out a new feather during her molts, but I guess I haven’t payed that much attention to them, so it’s possible. Perhaps the others will have more concrete info... I hope things continue to improve!!
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Post by aaron on Aug 19, 2018 13:45:46 GMT -5
I can definitely relate to the busy schedule! It’s amazing what you are able to keep up with! I can barely manage cleaning up after one bird, let alone a whole flock!! Hopefully Rocky will go back to screaming less once things are back to normal
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Post by aaron on Aug 12, 2018 20:15:28 GMT -5
Thanks Gary! I miss you guys! Glad to see there's still some activity here-- I'll try to check in more often Unfortunately, the thread we're talking about here was copied from the previous incarnation of the forum as part of a transition campaign of sorts. There is no user with the name "Sammy's Mom Robyn" registered in this forum, and I looked for other variations but found nothing promising (all locations nowhere near Ontario)... I wish I could be of more help. Sorry, Deana!
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Post by aaron on Aug 12, 2018 15:44:03 GMT -5
Sorry for the slow response, all.. Things have been crazy lately.
Anyhow, I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out what old re-homing list post we're referring to... What is the username of the individual we're trying to get in touch with?
If I can figure out what user, I might be able to send them an email... let me know.
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Post by aaron on Sept 19, 2017 23:12:10 GMT -5
I just wanted to share our story. We have a child in the house... She is 11 now, but was barely 6 when we got Cupcake... We have generally kept them at a distance, but as she has gotten older, they have grown closer and have more contact with one another. Cupcake is an unbelievably sweet bird, who loves all of us. She is very affectionate, has a different relationship with each of us, and loves it when we all hang out together. She is definitely not mean-spirited, at all. It's taken time and energy and flexibility, but it can be done, and we can honestly say she has been a wonderful thing for us. She's totally captured our hearts, and been a beacon of goodness in our lives. It has not always been easy, and will continue to have its challenges. We've all been bitten many times... that's part of owning a Parrot... But very worth it. And she's never mauled any of us. Her bites are mostly a form of communication, and breaking the skin is uncommon (but it does happen).
When it seems like a bird is being mean, it's important to remember that they are birds stuck in a human world, for which their highly tuned instincts and evolved skills are of little use. They are very smart, so it takes a lot for their lives to be fulfilling in this context. For long term success, these birds need to be respected members of the household. They need to feel loved, and included, and important... they need lots of attention. They get jealous, and they try to make nests and execute various other birdly behaviors... They are birds, and they behave like wild animals, because that's what they are. They can be amazing companions, but they are not pets. Far too many people see them as little more than an opportunity to make money, and as a result there are thousands of abandoned parrots that need homes. People rarely know what they are getting themselves into. The successful cases are ones where the caretaker of the bird is willing and able to adapt their lifestyle to the needs of the bird, on an ongoing basis.
We've learned that when it comes to modifying and influencing parrot behaviors, you need a plan, patience, and consistency... and it really helps to have the whole family on board. For best results, everyone should be ready to cooperate and adapt. It often takes longer to see changes than it feels like it should, but you generally do get there eventually, if you are consistent and taking a good approach. You'll also need a very solid understanding of the bird's hormonal behaviors and how to minimize them, so you don't accidentally cause problems by sending the wrong messages, once sexual maturity comes. Behavior definitely gets more complicated at this point, but it is fairly manageable in most cases. Good to learn as much as you can, as early as you can.
But I really can't stress it enough-- All of this complexity and restricted flexibility in our lives is completely worth it to us, and we'd never have it any other way. We love this bird so much. It was not a well-informed decision we made when we got her, either. It was a little more than an impulse purchase, but not much. Nonetheless, it was meant to be. She's a wonderful and charming little creature that loves her flock and we're very grateful for her being in our lives.
Good luck! Stay calm. Keep us posted, and ask any questions you might have!
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Chuckie
Aug 30, 2017 6:24:39 GMT -5
Post by aaron on Aug 30, 2017 6:24:39 GMT -5
So sorry to hear of your loss Bruce... Lots of love from our flock!
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Post by aaron on Aug 19, 2017 8:30:15 GMT -5
One of my friends saw this and sent it to me... Looks like this QP was found four days ago, in case anyone is missing a friend in the area:
https://www.reddit.com/r/nova/comments/6tpwng/found_green_pet_bird_in_fairfax/
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Post by aaron on Aug 11, 2017 23:06:32 GMT -5
Glad to hear you have had some improvement with Pidge!!
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Post by aaron on Jul 27, 2017 22:32:09 GMT -5
Welcome! These little Quakers are an amazing amount of personality packed into such a small parrot. Taylor sounds like a great little friend!!
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Post by aaron on Jul 25, 2017 22:48:58 GMT -5
You know, I guess not! I was under the impression that you have to be a member to see any photos, but maybe that is just for private profiles... Ours is public, and if I go to the website without logging in as myself, I can see the photos too. Great! We're adding them daily, so being a member does give you a way to follow and be notified, but otherwise, you're not really missing anything. There are lots of people with quakers, so Cupcake's profile is one of many... I think our material is some of the better stuff, but obviously I'm biased Lots of cute photos on there though. Lots of bird people to follow.
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Post by aaron on Jul 24, 2017 22:49:09 GMT -5
Instagram is kinda goofy, but we're enjoying putting the profile together. We have so much material with Cupcake, as she is generally comfortable with cameras... I wish you could view an Instagram profile without having an account, but that's not the case... All you have to do is sign up to see it though... you don't need to post any of your own photos.
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Post by aaron on Jul 24, 2017 22:45:09 GMT -5
Thanks Julianna... It was a horrible experience, but I am extremely grateful that she seems to have made it through intact... She's been doing great. It could have been so much worse.
I still haven't called the vet yet... I did notice that some of her old videos show her making a similar chattering motion, and I feel like she might be doing it less now.. But we may still call.
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Post by aaron on Jul 21, 2017 23:29:16 GMT -5
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