Cosmopolitan Conure

So this morning i checked my facebook and saw a message from an old high school friend. His wife's friend had posted a status saying she saw a woman walking three small dogs on leashes with a parrot sitting on a towel on her shoulder. The woman went on to say she couldn't get her camera out fast enough. hahahaha. Of course that was me and my entourage out on our evening walk.

Gil regularly has people ask for photos. Last night he was almost swarmed with people like he was a celebrity. I think he handled it well (some people were trying to hold him, pet him, etc). He didn't like all those hands reaching at him but he was good and no bites or aggression.

I suppose I am becoming "that parrot lady" but that's fine. I think if it inspires at least one person to appreciate and understand that birds are very intelligent and social, it is good. And for Gilbert, i think it is great, because he is cared for only by me at home. It helps him to have interactions on a regular basis outside our home and to enjoy it. It is good for my dogs too because they are a little shy and prefer people who approach to not look right down at them (they bark like crazy when strangers make eye contact, unless they are kneeling down). When people approach and talk to me and Gil, the dogs see that they can feel calm when strangers approach. Win/Win.

Over the weekend someone said "wow, he is really tame!" and it renewed my desire to maintain that bond we have. You get what you give, and it is really worth the energy to go all in or not at all!!!

ruffledfeathers said:

You get what you give, and it is really worth the energy to go all in or not at all!!!

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LOVE that last statement, Patti. It's SO true!!

I cracked up laughing when I started reading about how you got that message on FB, because I figured out pretty quickly that she was talking about you. HAHAHAH!!! Now how funny would it have been had she actually taken a photo and sent it to you.

Gil is SO blessed to have you in his life. You truly go all out, socialize him SO very well, and he gets to see AND experience so much in his life.

haha! That's so awesome! I definitely hope I can do that one day, too

Avery is really slow with her flight harness training. She's fine with it touching her, fine with closing her eyes, opens her wings willingly, and will let me put elastic bands over her head and drop it on her shoulders, will put her beak through the head opening with the target stick... all lovely stuff! But as soon as I try to put it on, heaven forbid! I'll have to inform Avery of Gilbert and tell her how wonderful it is to be in the flight harness... she's a drama queen and would love the attention. Maybe that'll convince her!

You know what today is?? Take Your Parrot To Work Day. I forgot that it was actually the bring your kid holiday until i saw someone with his daughters here and i laughed because my feathered son is here too. He is having a great day. I let them feed him a piece of apple turnover in administration, to make his experience extra special. He stepped up for a couple people and gave kisses.

Our only issue is--Gilbert is breaking in his 'backup harness'. It is brand new, stiff and not the one he is used to (although it is the same, aviator, XS harness). The other night, i was pruning my bushes with him on my shoulder and accidentally cut his leash!!! I didn't realize it at first either, so we were outside, walking back and forth to the street with clippings, etc and then i realized he was not connected to me and i wanted to cry. He didn't even try to leave me. I grabbed him and brought him in the house and wanted to cry that i did something so brainless. At least we have a backup harness and it will soon be soft and broken in like the old one was.

Yay Gilbert! Glad to hear he's being an ambassador to parrots in public So true about getting out what you put in. Some take a bit more work than others, but it's pretty universal that they ALL need TLC and patience. I bet he really loved the apple turnover. What did everyone think when you brought your feathered baby instead of a real one to work?

Kiwi is also becoming "known" around the neighborhood too now that he's been coming out and about in his carrier. People still can't believe they "make backpacks" for parrots and he attracts quite a crowd every time he comes out with me. He's being a nice, calm boy too around the strangers. When they behave around strangers in unfamiliar situations, it makes any "parent" proud