Your beautiful relationship with DeRita gives me hope that "some day" my Willie will step up on my arm without going into overdrive and biting me. He only allows me to *Tickle* him around the neck and stroke his eye-lids (through the cage bars). Once a day, when he is tired. It took 5 months to get this far, so I guess we are having one of those "slow relationships", rather than love at first sight! I am not looking forward to breeding season. The few tickles he has allowed me so far are not enough to get me through it without a broken heart!
You two are a match made in heaven
, while I'm going to have to work hard at this marriage of mine. Life just ain't fair!
Awwwww....I completley understand your current heart ache. I have 2 cockatiels I rescued almost 6 years ago... Still... They are not hand tame. Makes me sad that they are still soo afraid.
What ever they endured before I got them was certainly awful and I decided years ago that hand taming them was not nearly as important to me as their quality of life.
If they are happy and healthy, that's all that matters.
Charlie is a very good talker and we have wonderful coverstions together he will come right up to me but he will not step on my fingers. He will walk right up to my face, especially when he is trying to learn a new word or phrase, but he won't touch me or even come close to allowing me to touch him.
They have daily out of cage time. I open cage door and walk away, and when it is time to put them away I have a stick that they get up on willingly to go back in their cage. HUGE improvement from freaking out to the point of almost injuring themselves inside the cage when I simply walked into the room.
I had no idea what to expect with DeRita but I was prepared for my experience to be like yours is. I had my "tool" box ready so no matter what, I could give DeRita the best experience possible in our home. Even if she didn't want to be handled. Stick perches, Welding gloves, towels, thick long sleeve coat...just to keep me safe to get her back in her cage in the event I was bringing home an attacker.
Turns out...I only need those items for our little green cheek! Lololol! (I'm only slightly kidding...Franklin, the little stinker....He sure has moments. Most challenging bird in our house.)
I agree with you...life just ain't fair...but don't ever give up. Willie will find his way, just love him for him.
You may not get Mr. Cuddle bug...but you will find some other equally enduring quality about him that makes it all worth it.
Have a great day.
Toni
That is so awesome that she trusts you and loves you so much already! It was meant to be! 
