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Post by beccilouise on Apr 2, 2017 12:42:56 GMT -5
Hi everyone. I went and had my nails done today for the first time ever! I got overexcited and got them done in green and then got home and suddenly thought "oh...Maya's going to hate them!"
Now, I have only had them for two hours. She's not a massive fan but she will step up onto my finger and it hasn't seem to stop her flying over onto my shoulder for some affection. I have tried just sitting my hands next to her while she eats and feeding her directly from my fingers. Even just in the last two hours, she has got a lot better (though there are already chips in my nail varnish!) However, it has triggered an irrational anxiety that she hates me because she's a little more reluctant for me to stroke her. I know it's not been long and she'll need time to get used to them. Any tips? I'm terrified she'll hate me!
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Post by julianna on Apr 2, 2017 14:17:09 GMT -5
My thoughts... change the color... and not red either.. or orange... ha ha ha ha... Seriously... if it were me.. I would change the color... just to make my Oscar happy.
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Post by biteybird on Apr 3, 2017 1:26:35 GMT -5
I wouldn't bother changing anything - good training for her to adapt to changes!  These quakers are weird - when I walked up to Bonnie's cage wearing a pink clarifying face mask (peel-off gel) she didn't bat an eyelid, but....touched the food dishes & OMG, the drama was ridiculous! |
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Post by cnyguy on Apr 3, 2017 20:18:08 GMT -5
Another lesson in Slave Training from Maya.  She's telling you that you're supposed to request approval in advance for any changes in appearance.  She'll probably get used to your nail color eventually, but I doubt that she'll hate you for slipping up and not clearing it with her first. |
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Post by aaron on Apr 4, 2017 10:27:01 GMT -5
She's not going to hate you over that. She loves you! If she was going to have a strong reaction, you would most likely know already. She's just reluctant because something is different and she's processing it. But it sounds like it's fine |
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Post by serenissima on Apr 6, 2017 13:59:26 GMT -5
She'll get over it, she hasn't fallen over in surprise yet!! Much different than Tin Tin's varnish tantrums, where if she sees any bottles on the coffee table she treats them like bowling pins until she gets them off the table. She managed to get one to smash one time and there was a huge cleanup effort to get the paint off of the wood floors. Now we only let her knock the bottles over, and not around the table.
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Post by beccilouise on Apr 7, 2017 12:01:08 GMT -5
Hahaha, thanks everyone. 24 hours later, she was absolutely fine. However, that was definitely long enough for her to sabotage at least two nails! I've repainted them and she seems fine with them now. I'm having them redone in a couple of weeks and I think I'm going to change the colour again to get her used to it. I have no idea if it will make any difference, but I'm going to show her the nail colour first and ask what she thinks. You never know, do you? She came into school with me on Tuesday to meet some of our difficult boys and work with them on thinking about their futures. Several are now really interested in working in conservation, particularly either with birds or, in the case of one boy, with tropical animals in general. They were really inspired by her and Maya was amazing! She sat on kids' hands, perched on their shoulders, let them stroke her wings, gave us a flying demonstration. NO ONE got bitten AT ALL! I can't believe what an amicable, lovely, friendly, well socialised little birdie she's become. I am very lucky I know it's early days yet as she's only 20 months old and won't necessarily hit adulthood until she's about 3, but I'm very proud of her. I feel like a proud mum! |
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Post by aaron on Apr 9, 2017 0:25:01 GMT -5
I think if she's doing this well at 20 months, you have a darn good chance of maintaining this sort of behavior long term. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with her!! Gotta love these experiences where they really make you proud. Cupcake has been doing that for us quite a bit lately and it has been great. Always a great feeling. So glad things are going so well for you!
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Post by biteybird on Apr 9, 2017 5:13:54 GMT -5
NO ONE got bitten AT ALL! I can't believe what an amicable, lovely, friendly, well socialised little birdie she's become. I am very lucky I know it's early days yet as she's only 20 months old and won't necessarily hit adulthood until she's about 3, but I'm very proud of her. Wow, that is amazing! Well done! I would never be able to trust Bonnie in this way. I simply couldn't risk the injuries that might result. You have done such a great job with Maya. |
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Post by beccilouise on Apr 16, 2017 16:15:23 GMT -5
Thanks everyone! Had my nails redone again yesterday and Maya didn't even bat an eyelid! She's currently on my head, undoing my plaits and quacking, before taking off on mad circuits of her living room for the joy of it. We'll keep working hard to maintain it, make sure she gets plenty of chances to go for walks, meet other people and see new things. We will eventually move house, so hopefully things like staying in different places overnight and lots of time outside will help to ensure she is able to adapt to changes in her environment. She is a hardy little thing though. Gotta love her!
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Post by aaron on Apr 18, 2017 0:47:02 GMT -5
Glad to hear she has become accustomed to the nails! Great new avatar photo by the way |
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Post by julianna on Apr 18, 2017 13:22:01 GMT -5
I agree with aaron... I really like your new photo... Maya looks so happy and so do you.
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Post by biteybird on Apr 19, 2017 5:23:54 GMT -5
The others beat me to the punch...yes, GREAT photo! It's a match made in heaven (as they say). |
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Post by beccilouise on Apr 20, 2017 15:02:18 GMT -5
Thank you! It's one of my favourites. She looks so adorable in that photo. I think it pretty much sums up our relationship!
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She's telling you that you're supposed to request approval in advance for any changes in appearance. 
She'll probably get used to your nail color eventually, but I doubt that she'll hate you for slipping up and not clearing it with her first. 
