Time to Come Clean!

So this past Sat. afternoon I found myself standing on a METAL step ladder that was erected on a METAL roof while holding on to a oak tree with one hand and holding a METAL bowl high above my head.

Did I mention that this was during a thunderstorm?

To find out how I arrived in that predicament we need to back up about 48 hours..............

The BOSS hired new house cleaners and their first day was Thursday. I knew the BOSS had informed them about the fids and chemicals. However not long into their cleaning I start smelling heavy chemical odors. I put Anakin on my shoulder and picked up Gracie and out of the house we went. I only have one outside cage and they don't tolerate being close so Gracie got the cage. Anakin is completely cool as long as something doesn't startle him. Well after about an hour Gracie starts looking hot so I covered the top of the cage to give her shade. The cover I put over the cage spooked Anakin who flew to the Jeep which he loves to ride in. I finished with Gracie and went and got him. We sat back down and in a little while we started to get hot. So I moved our chair into the shade. That was apparently to close to the evil thing that I put on the cage. Spooked again.....this time into the trees!

Out come the ladders. To make this shorter I'll spare you all the gory details but suffice it to say Anakin spent 48 hours in three different trees never getting more than 20 yards from the front door. I talked to him and he talked to me but he wouldn't come low enough to reach him.
On Saturday he came low enough for the step ladder on the roof and stepped up. I don't know who was happier me or him.
He is doing great and has already regained the 14 grams he lost and everything is good.

Hind sight being 20/20 I have devised other plans of action should we need to evacuate again.

I asked the BOSS if she talked to them about the birds. She was informed that everything they use is pet safe. I had to remind her that dog or cat safe does not equal bird safe.

So it has stopped raining so I am going out to take down and put away 4 ladders, 1 table, and 1 chaise lounge(this was so I could look at and talk to him without messing my neck up).

Everyone feel free to flame, rant, tongue lash, deride, call me nasty names, etc. as I deserve whatever you all dish out and more. Maybe that will make me think before doing something dumb again.

I'm just happy to have him back safe.

P.S. To all the wonderful moderators on this forum. Please do not get on anyone who tells me or calls me what I deserve in this thread.
I ASKED FOR IT!

Eeek!! What a scare!! SO glad you got Anakin back.

Next time....how about Anakin goes in a travel carrier with you outside? That way, safe for everyone and no worries about getting spooked.

I think you've learned your lesson! Thanks for sharing.

To err is humam!

Having large carriers outfitted with paper lining and nearby food/water is helpful. Of course I live in a potential fire hot-spot and have the benefit of a forced evac years ago, so preparation is key.

We live and learn, glad the outcome was positive!

Actually, you deserve kudos for sharing, yet another reminder of what can go wrong as a parront!

Having so many birds that mostly don't get along.
And having limited means to transport same.
I think I am going to make a point of having enough small cages/Pak-o-birds to take all my Fids to safety if the need ever arises.

I have 2 small cages that I could transport 2 of my 3 groups of Tiels.
1 POB for one of my medium birds.
I will have to get at least 2 more carriers. 1 for 2 Cockatiels, 1 for a medium bird.
If I had to I could take Bingo on my shoulder loose but ideally he would need a POB also.

Glad you were able to get your bird back. So far (knock on wood) I have never had a bird escape.

So... everyone is allright?


Good


Now go re-instruct the cleaningcrew before you decide to move into the tree next door with the parrots!

Oh my...you make me feel a bit better about my own, similar situations!

All that matters is that both birds are okay, and that you didn't fall to your death...A step ladder on top of a roof while holding on to a tree with one hand...Yep, that sounds like something I would do...

If it helps, last week I went to the grocery store, wanted the flavor of Gatorade that was on the top shelf, and instead of asking for help, I stepped onto the second shelf up, stood on it, and reached up and grabbed two bottles of Gatorade, both which I immediately dropped onto the aisle floor, both broke open all over the white floor, and since the flavor of Gatorade was "Glacier Cherry" and the color is white, when I climbed back down the shelf and stepped down, I slipped on the wet floor, feet right out from underneath me, and right onto my butt. At least I didn't crack my skull open, my pride was my main concern, and didn't realize how badly I had bruised my butt until the next day...so sitting has been an issue...And of course it was a home Penn State game last weekend, so the place was packed and about 200 people saw the entire thing...I'm surprised the local newspaper didn't come..

So we all live and learn....hopefully

Eek, I’m glad you are okay and that everyone is present and accounted for! I would have been up a ladder as well in that situation (and probably not very gracefully).

I’m going to show this thread to my hubby who says that I can’t possibly need all the bird carriers that I have and that there’s no possible scenario that they would all need to leave the house at the same time. Mine all have travel carriers with food/water bowls and they take up space which means that I get to listen to a lot of grumbling. Mine are also all flighted, so taking them outside without a crate is NOT an option.

Wow glad you and the birds are fine and Anakin is back safe!

“The BOSS” hahaha. Such a well trained husband. Commendable! :18:

It never surprises me the ends that individuals 'owned' by Parrots will go to safe guard them: "So this past Sat. afternoon I found myself standing on a METAL step ladder that was erected on a METAL roof while holding on to a oak tree with one hand and holding a METAL bowl high above my head. Did I mention that this was during a thunderstorm? "

So, I'm caught between whether you had been able to disprove Ben Franklen's theory regarding 'lighting' or that us Old Guys just get really lucky sometimes!

I hope that your sharing this experience will encourage the vast majority of us Parrot Lovers that being prepared for an emergency is as important as the daily effort in caring for our Parrots.

Thank-You My Friend for stepping forward and tell your adventure! You have likely 'saved' someone's Parrot's life by doing so!

TOM the very fact that you were standing on a metal step ladder on a metal roof holding a metal object in your hand during a thunderstorm and didn’t get struck by lightning indicates to me that you’ve already been forgiven by a much higher power!

I’m glad everyone is safe and sound

You have suffered enough. We absolve you.

Major TOM, I may have a new nickname for you, though... "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN"!

I think the most important part of this story is you got both birds outside quickly! You only have moments sometimes with chemical fumes. I'm glad you got him back k safe, now you know you can't trust em not to fly off, do I know you will have a carrier next time. I have evac cages cuz of hurricanes! They all have to fit in the car.

“The BOSS” hahaha. Such a well trained husband" It took many years of intense training. Just goes to show that if you beat it in sometimes it sticks

TOM the very fact that you were standing on a metal step ladder on a metal roof holding a metal object in your hand during a thunderstorm and didn’t get struck by lightning indicates to me that you’ve already been forgiven by a much higher power!
So, I'm caught between whether you had been able to disprove Ben Franklen's theory regarding 'lighting' or that us Old Guys just get really lucky sometimes!

I have always been told that God looks after old fools, drunks, and children. I qualify for all three.

I've never been accused of being the sharpest tool in the barn

Glad the flock is together again with no mishaps. I've been thru the pain of loosing a much loved fid. It's not something I would wish on anyone.

I’m glad this story had a happy ending. I can’t imagine how horrible you must have been feeling!


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Glad the flock is together again with no mishaps. I've been thru the pain of loosing a much loved fid. It's not something I would wish on anyone.

Thank You Mr. Wrench! My crew sends only the best wishes for your speedy recovery. If you are like my friends that have gone through bypasses once you get your strength back you will feel like a brand new pirate.

You and your crew are very much missed.


Inger, yes I felt lower than whale poop!