2016 Update... I'm back :)

Hello everyone, I've been inactive lately, hoping to be around more in 2016

Tiny update:

Bella is wearing her harness! Training is going really well and she's doing great! Really a sweet mac and I love her to pieces


Her playstand with one of the new toys she got for Christmas


Eden, my nubian bottle baby (born July 28th) First birth I was able to record from start to finish She's my sweet little girl

Welcome back! Bella and Eden are really cute!

Oh yeah, I forgot; you should share some videos of them both, especially of Eden following you around!

It's so nice to see this update! Bella looks so happy!

The photos of Eden are precious! I want to scoop her up and hug her!

Welcome back! Really nice pics of your extended family!

It is SO very nice to 'see' you, Melissa! You've been missed tremendously!!! Hope everyone else is doing well.

LOVE the photos of Bella & Eden! :smile015:

Thank you everyone! It's nice to be back I'll see about getting a video or 2 sometime, Eden is so fast it's difficult to get decent pics or vids of her. Just a blur!

Everyone else is doing well

Hi, Melissa!

Your posts and threads have really been missed, so it's great to see you back, again!

I love the pics of Bella and Eden! Both so beautiful! And congrats on your success with getting Bella harness-trained! Do you take her out much with you?

Looking forward to LOTS more pics. Several months' worth, in fact. (Told you you've been missed. It's only fair. Lol)

Yep, I'm waiting too! Tick tock, Melissa!

Thank you Stephen! Bella and Eden are 2 very spoiled little girls, I'm sure they'll love hearing the compliments

I've taken her out with me once, that was back in October? I think. Started getting chilly outside and so we've just been exploring the house while she wears her harness (she doesn't play with it as much if she's got other things to occupy her) So I put the harness on and have her say hi to any family members who happen to be around. I'm freally looking forward to taking her outside more this spring! I'm wondering how it works taking them with us to stores and stuff though. Advice and tips for that would be much appreciated


More pics will be coming soon

So far as the harness training goes, we're in much the same boat. And I mean down to the very month, number of times taken outside, and reason for the current hiatus. Here's the link if you'd like to see: http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/57748-guess-who-finally-got-her-harness.html

So basically, so far as tips and advice, we'll be pretty much learning together. I figure, though, that I'll probably roll with some wet wipes and a plastic bag for any fecal bombs she decides to drop. (Or THEY, if I manage to get Jolly harness trained by the Spring as well. Keep hope alive, right?)

And I'll be watching for those pics!

Stephen, that's awesome! Congratulations on a great job with Maya! Gorgeous little girl you have there, LOVED seeing her pics! Yeah, how's the training going with Jolly?

That was one of my concerns, what to do if they make a mess. Are you planning on having Maya on your shoulder? Do most stores allow birds? Also as you already know, we live on a farm so I'm not too sure how Bella would do with all of the extra activity of town, I bought her from a woman who lived in town but that was back in 2011 and she was never taken outside or into stores.

Thank you, Melissa!

The harness training with Jolly is going FAR more slowly. He doesn't trust that harness any farther than he could toss it! (With his feet, not his beak. Lol) He'll only keep his head in there for precisely as long as it takes to grab the treat out of my hand. He's deathly afraid of leaving that loop around his neck. (And it's specifically the loop. I can put my hand over his head or fingers around his neck for as long as I like without him batting an eye. But the loop? Not so much.) He'll just need a more gradual adjustment is all.

I never have to worry about either bird on my shoulder, fortunately. Neither one ever poops while positioned there. (Knock on wood! Ha!)

Stores vary depending on management and the best thing is to check with them beforehand. Places that serve food are more likely to take issue, though a number of members have been able to take their birds to restaurants and such.

In terms of all that extra activity, I don't think there's anything to help with that other than actual exposure. Shorter trips at first, then gradually longer. I bet she'd eventually grow used to it.