Skitty gave me quite the scare today!

[Skittys_Daddy]

I couldn't get to sleep last night, so I ended up going out to the store very early to get some last minute T-day supplies since I didn't want to risk oversleeping - yet I still did. LOL

Skittles chewed through one of my pillowcases while I was napping. I don't let him sleep with me at night because in the dark, he will 'hide' whereas during the day he is more on 'guard watch'.

Anyways, one of the loose strands from the pillowcase got stuck around his foot. I was able to remove the bulk of it and have two bites and one gash to show for it. But I couldn't get the very last one which was the most concerning.

I was talking with a friend of mine, the one Skitty attacks. I told her I need four hands to remove that final strand and she told me she'd help me remove it.

He gave me a bit of a fuss earlier but I had him wrapped in a towel. This time, I just wore gloves and pressed him against my chest and he was much more cooperative. My friend was able to remove the last thread so it wouldn't cut off blood supply. I was so scared and felt so helpless. I am so fortunate to have a friend who will put Skitty before her own fear of him attacking her. I feel so much better now!

I thought Skittles would hold a grudge, but right after she left, I went to put him back in his cage and he kept leaning his head forward for scratchies so I let him stay up a bit later and get some pampering since he did such a good job.

 

[PickleMeDickles]

Wow, that is really scary! Thank goodness he is ok. I think that "in the moment" they panic, it is like fight or flight. Then, once the ordeal is over and they process the event, they very well may realize that you were trying to help. At least, that is what I like to think. Anyhow, I am glad it doesn't seem to have fazed your relationship.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

He didn't really start fighting me the first time til I tried to grab his foot. I've clipped his nails before and he never freaked out like that. It's like you said, fight or flight. I don't blame him, he doesn't know any better. I just feel bad having to do that. I just love him so much! I thought I was going to have to take him to the animal ER to have that removed which would have cost me a pretty penny! So luckily I didn't have to resort to that.

I think for me it's just I hate seeing him in that panic mode, even though I'm trying to help. It's like watching your child have an infected tooth pulled or something. You know that the doctor is doing the right thing and helping your child but part of you just wants to slap the doctor, grab a hold of your child and run.

 

[TacoNTiki]

I am glad everything is fine and that you were able to free Skittles. I remember this happening to our Taco with a strand of hair! I mean I can avoid threads for the most part, but I don't think I can go around bald being a female, Lol. I am still paranoid with hair.

 

[Allee]

I'm so glad that turned out well and you had a friend willing to help free Skittles. It doesn't sound like he held a grudge at all. I think they understand when someone is trying to help. My Quaker actually giggles when I towel her to examine her feathers.

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm glad to hear Skittles is okay. What a nice friend to help you, and having to put aside her fear too!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Thank you all for the kind words. It is rather comforting knowing others have had this experience. I just found it kind of funny (and soothing) that he acted as though nothing happened as soon as it was over. I almost think he was relieved.

I am definitely addressing allowing him to 'hang out with me' while I nap in bed. Not worried about when I'm with my chair. The pillowcase he was chewing on was flannel and already had some holes in it so I should have known better. I usually have satin or cotton sheets. He tends to 'avoid' my satin sheets cause he can't "grip his feet", but satin sheets would also be more susceptible to stringing.

At least he woke me up when it happened.

 

[RavensGryf]

I was also going to address the point of Skittles sleeping with you while you're laying down, even if only to take a nap. A lot of people do it, but I have honestly heard of too many birds being killed that way accidentally.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Yes, well this was a wake up call for me. Luckily it wasn't a tragic one.

So I won't be letting him nap with me in my bed anymore. Only reason I had let him do it to begin with is because he spent most of his time 'standing guard' and I thought it was cute. He'd cuddle with me under the covers but when I was asleep he'd be on guard duty because that was where he always was when I woke up. But yesterday was different. It was not cute, it was scary.

Honestly, though, I HATE caging him and I really only do it when it's absolutely necessary. I can tell how much he LOVES being free flighted. Because of him being potty-trained, it makes caging him much harder. I have to justify it. After yesterday, I believe I've found the justification.

If I KNEW he wouldn't get into trouble or danger - I'd never cage him but he's a sun conure and trouble is their middle names. LOL.