Random Ramblings

I know this isn't very exciting for anyone else, but Angelin Chang (http://www.angelinchang.com) is going to do a benefit concert for the parrot rescue we volunteer for (www.parrothope.org)! It is going to be at a donated hall at Baldwin Wallace college in Berea, OH next May. The hall seats about 640 people and she apparently always sells out. Her tickets can start at $50/person. It is going to really be an amazing fundraiser for us! We are going to be that much closer to building the sanctuary!

Posted by Amy at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is Roger. She is an approximately 11 year old Blue Crowned Conure, but could be older. This would mean she hatched in 1997. I adopted her in 2002 and she had at least five homes before me so we're not exactly sure about her age. Her last owner was told she was five years old. She is a sweet and opinionated girl who is very bonded to me. Her name was Roger when I got her and she already knew her name and says it when she wants attention - so after I had her sexed and she was a female I just stuck with that name.

 

 

This is Kelsey. She is a Senegal Parrot. She was hatched in 2003. She is a very sweet and playful girl. She is also mostly bonded to me, but will allow other people to handle her without issue. Originally she was supposed to be Andy's bird, but she bonded to me quickly. She is very smart and is learning some tricks!

 

 

Here is Sancha. She is an 11 year old Black Headed Caique who hatched in 1997. We got her from a family who could no longer keep her. The husband became allergic to the birds' dander and after two years of trying different medications they had to find new homes for their feathered friends. So, Sancha came to live with us. She is bonded to Andy and will only allow me to handle her if he is not around and even then sometimes she doesn't tolerate me. Its okay though, I'm glad Andy has a bird who is in love with him. 

 

And last but not least, Sky. She is an Orange-Winged Amazon who, as you know was a foster bird of ours. From what the rescue could gather she is approximately 26 years old (hatched 1982). We don't believe she was wild caught, however it is very possible since the import ban wasn't put into place until 1992. Sky is doing much better now and is coming out of her cage without issue. I think she is falling in love with me, but she allows Andy to handle her. I wish he would interact with her more so she will be more comfortable going to more people than just me. It will help her build her confidence. We are still pondering her new name....

 

 

 

Posted by Amy at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have decided I want a better camera. I have wanted a digital SLR for a VERY long time now, but it has seemed more and more like a pressing matter these days. I think part of it is because I'm in this depressed manic mode where I want to buy random stuff all the time. The other part is because I have been on Flickr a lot lately and everyone else's pictures make me extremely jealous because of the quality. Now, I know that having a DSLR will not instantly make me a wonderful photographer, but it will increase the quality of shots that I, with my abilities, am able to take. But, with money always being an issue for us, this is a pipe dream for now. We all need something to pine for, right?

 I also want to rename our parrot Sky. I don't like her name and never really have. Andy suggested a spanish or portuguese name since orange-wing amazons are native to South America. I like this idea and have been searching somewhat dilligently online to find her a new name. Here are a few we have found and at least liked a little:

Alta
Izzy
Pilar
Zarita
Filipa
Fina
Loca
Inca
Loro (means parrot)

I'm not really sold on any of those quite yet. If anyone else actually ever reads this, I would take suggestions. 

Posted by Amy at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well. Here I am. Not that anyone was waiting for me to come back. Andy mentioned tonight that I hadn't written anything in months on my blog so I decided to give an update. Again, not that anyone reads it. Also my friend Christine started her own blog and maybe that will inspire me to write more? Probably not, but it is a nice thought. Here is her blog: http://gibbonszoo.blogspot.com/

 

So, what has been happening?

 

Well, first off, the bird in the last post is no longer a foster bird. We're pretty sure at this point that she is a permanent resident here. She has had a hard life and even though we may not be the most wonderful home in the world (while we do do our best) I think that what she really needs is stability. Plus, she is slowly coming around and gets more and more excited about coming out of her cage everyday - as opposed to being happy to sit and rot in her cage the rest of her life.

 

I work at a dog daycare now. It has its drama with a kind of crazy owner, but I like it pretty well. I really can't complain too much since I get paid to play with dogs - not a bad gig. 

 

In a big upset Andy and I started eating meat again after two years of not doing so. I'm not sure what happened. I'm also not sure that I will keep eating meat. I feel forever guilty about it  and often-times choose to have a meatless meal. We'll see how that all goes. 

 

For financial reasons I took this fall semester off. I also think I kind of needed a break anyways. For the past two years I have been going to school all year round - so it will be nice to have some time off.  

 

We currently have three foster dogs - all of which came from the same pound and were about to be gassed. One of them is a handful and has dominance (not aggression) issues and issues with marking in the house. We're working with the dominance and the marking problem will get much better once he is neutered.

 

How can we have three foster dogs? Well, our limit is really two, but it has been a little easier to have three because Andy built us a fence!! Finally, for the first time in my life, I live in a house with a fenced in backyard. It isn't a pretty fence but it works and that is all I care about. We bought the supplies to make it at Tractor Supply and the materials for the fence cost about $250.00 - not too shabby! We got the idea from this website called Unchain Your Dog which helps get dogs off of chains and at least into a fence and hopefully into a home! Their website is: http://www.unchainyourdog.org/ 

 

Alright, that is all I can think of and I'm really tired. Night. 

Posted by Amy at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)