A Trio of New Members

Hi, I think I've almost figured out how this site works, but there are lots of options I'm not certain what they mean. So if I make a mistake, blame it on "The Bird", or his faithful companion, "The Dog"! I am only the mere human in the trio. I have owned Piki, my Rainbow Lorkieet for almost two years now. I got him when he was only 3 weeks old and was being hand fed at the time. My original intention was to get another Sulphur Cockatoo as I had inherited my grandfather's and had him til he passed on at the age of 98 years. But everyone told me they were too loud. So after months of grizzling by my partner and friends I decided to get another breed. I saw a lorikeet in a commercial aviary and thought he was beautiful, so decided to get one instead of a Sulphur. A smaller bird so must be quieter, probably more like a cockatiel . . . . Guess who didn't do their homework!!! But I found a lovely baby lorikeet who the owner was selling early as he was moving out of the country. I named him Piki which is Maori for climber. After owning him for about 5 weeks this lovely little bird turned into a hyperactive little tyrant, but so loveable and unpredictable I fell for him head over heels. One of the biggest problems was we own an American Staffy x Greyhound, Rocky, who saw Piki as a delightful snack. Unfortunately, Piki saw Rocky as a potential mate and horse. For weeks I tried to teach Rocky not to eat Piki or teach Piki not to try and clean the dog's teeth or reem out his nose with his tongue. I'm lucky we have a fantastic vet who also knows just about anything about birds. She said when you introduce a cat or puppy to a household you find something with the scent of the animals you want to get along. I had Rocky's blanket so I rubbed it over Piki to get the scent. But I had nothing that would work trying to put Piki's scent onto Rocky. So I did the only thing I could think of . . . I picked up Piki and rubbed him all over Rocky. Needless to say Piki was not at all amused, but it did work. One week later Piki was using Rocky as a horse and Rocky gets upset if we go out and leave Piki home alone. Now, almost two years on they are inseperable. Piki is seldom in his cage anymore and sleeps with Rocky in his bed or sneeks into ours in the middle of the night. Piki is on dry and wet lorikeet mix. He loves his fruit (don't stand between him and a grape), bok choy, fresh spinach, celey, fruit juice, and (yes, I know it isn't good for him) coffee! There's a cafe in town that has made Piki his own little cup and given Rocky his own bowl with his name on it. I really loved my cockatoo and it took me months to get over his death, but I can't imagine being without Piki. If I lost him I would be devastated. My worry is Rocky is 9 years old and when he passes on, I worry about how Piki will react. We are definitely a trio. I'm lucky I work from home as a mosaic artist as the two can always be with me. I break the tiles and Piki throws them onto the floor and Rocky. Well, that's the three of us in a nutshell. I'll try and post some pics when I figure out how. Sorry this is so long, but it's impossible to be short when you are raving on about your bird and dog.

Hi BMac...

I would like to welcome all three of you to the forums...

Loved your intro post... Made be laugh...

Hi, Lene. Thanks for the welcome and pleased we were able to bring a bit of laughter into your life. At the moment, Piki and Rocky are sharing their dinner . . . Rocky's bowl of course. Piki doesn't care for the dry dog food, but he loves the milk I add and God help anyone who tries to eat the sardines we give Rocky to help his coat. When Piki is finished he allows Rocky to eat in peace. I feed the two of them at the same time Barry, my partner, and I eat so we can have a bit of peace from the two. It works!

Welcome to the forum, sounds like you have quite the wonderful trio!

Thanks kc. Yes, I'm lucky to have my two 'gruesome twosomes'. They keep me on the go, on my toes, and sometimes pulling my hair out, but wouldn't be without them. Had a bit of a panic today. I was working in the studio when I noticed Piki and Rocky were gone and the back door was open. I found them at the bottom of the garden, Piki checking out anything that moved and Rocky not letting Piki get more than two feet from him. Piki hops on my shoulder and starts "telling me everything he did" while poor Rocky kept looking at me like it wasn't his fault.

Hey BMac, sounds like you'll fit right in with the rest of us.

Thanks, henpecked. If fitting in means being half crazy in owning birds and the other half being crazy for letting them rule your life, you are probably right. I should fit in here quite well. And I can't think of a nicer place to be.

Welcome to the forum... and you do not own the birds/dogs.... they own you...

I cannot agree with you more, Cowtown. Most of the time I feel more like Piki and Rocky's servant (make that slave . . . they don't pay me) than their owner. And now that they have learnt to plan their mischief together I don't stand a chance. But you got to love them anyway. By the way, we were once almost neighbours. My family still lives in Laverne, Oklahoma, in the panhandle. I used to go to Amarillo regularly, especially their big barn dances. But I think I prefer the New Zealand climate.