Letter to Santa II

Dear Santa,

It is me again, Kosmo the Quaker Parrot. I hope you, Mrs. Clause, the elves and reindeer are all doing well and are not too overworked this Holiday season.

I’m writing to thank you so very much for making last year’s Christmas wish come true. With the help of my Doctor, Anne McDonald, her staff at Night Owl Bird Hospital, and of course my mom (who has become an expert parrot-collar maker) I am now a healthier, if somewhat sparsely feathered bird. I still pluck sometimes, but I almost never pick at my skin or make boo-boos that might get infected. I know all the people I’ve mentioned are mostly responsible, but I think a little of your Holiday magic might have had a part in it as well. So I now have the best gift any bird could ever hope for: a forever-family! Here is a picture of me, my mom, grandma and doggy Ricky. We are so happy together and love each other very much.

But Santa, I was so sad to hear that not all birds are as lucky as me. In fact, I found out that almost 600 birds were rescued this year from Vancouver Island. Many of them were terribly sick and Dr. Anne has been working very, very hard to try to make them better. I know how hard my Doctor already worked, so I am very worried about her and I think she needs some help.  

This year Santa, I am asking if you might help these rescued birds to, like me, get healthy and find a forever-home. I know that’s a tall order, so I’m hoping that some of the people who read this blog will also help and give what they can to Greyhaven Bird Sanctuary, who are working with Dr. Anne to help these poor orphaned birds. Here is an article from the Vancouver Sun newspaper about this story and all the heroes who have given hope to so many birds.

 Thank you again Santa for all that you do to inspire good will. I hope you have a very merry Christmas and all the best in 2017.

Love,

Kosmo

Have Birdy – Will Travel

I have a big problem. Kosmo essentially has me held captive.

It is difficult for me to leave him alone for any significant length of time. During the day it’s not too bad. I can actually be gone for most of the morning and early afternoon. But even then when I come home it’s to complete pandemonium. Kosmo starts screaming for attention and my dog makes it very clear that he’s been keeping his legs crossed for some time and needs to go out, NOW!

Giving the bird a little cuddle, only to leave a few minutes later to walk the dog leads to a complete hissy-fit on Kosmo’s part. He cries like he’s being tortured! I feel bad for him because I know he has sever separation anxiety from his past years of neglect. It is very stressful.

Needless to say, going on holiday is a real challenge.

Last winter I went to Victoria overnight. I boarded Kosmo at the vet’s for the evening. When I got back, he had chewed straight through his collar and self-mutilated a section under his wing (a bad place for a bird to have a wound.) Since then, I haven’t gone anywhere.

I think having someone here, in our home, to care for both he and Ricky would work better, but Kosmo is aggressive with most people, so this would be difficult. For one thing, the sitter would need to physically move him into his nighttime cage, not a task for the faint of heart.

So when a dear old friend asked me to visit her in beautiful Fanny Bay, I thought, “Oh, that would be so lovely…but how could I manage it.” Then it occurred to me, since Kosmo is fine as long as he’s with me, why not just bring him along (my Mom was happy to take the dog.) So I asked my friend if she’d mind an extra visitor, and to my luck and surprise, she agreed!

Now you might think it would be incredibly difficult to travel with a bird, especially one with special needs. However, many of Kosmo’s “issues” actually makes it somewhat easier. First, remember Kosmo is flightless. This is important because regular bird owners are constantly worried about their birds getting loose (even clipping wings won’t stop a bird if he catches a good gust of wind and is an experienced flyer.)

Not a problem with Kosmo. He’s a feet-on-the-ground type of guy. Here is a picture of us lunching in Qualicum Beach, I had to keep an eye out for dogs or bigger birds, but no worries of Kosmo taking off on me.

 

The second thing is that Kosmo’s insatiable bond with me basically means he is content to sit on my shoulder, regardless of the circumstances, including driving. Also, having him on me so much has allowed me to essentially potty trained him. However birds, unlike dogs, can’t hold it in for long, so I had to have a place for him to relieve himself at regular intervals, and his cage is just too big to tote around. So I brought one of his play stations. It worked very well, not just as a toilet, but also as a place for him to eat, play and generally hangout when he wasn’t perched on my shoulder. Here’s a picture of him on it at my friend’s house.  

 

So it was a great success, except for one thing…Kosmo gets motion sickness!

 

 

How is this even possible? Have you ever seen birds in flight? It’s not the smoothest method of traversing. They encounter air currents that lift, sink and generally tousle them about. So it made absolutely no sense to me that a bird could suffer from this condition. So, as well as puking on a pretty regular basis, Kosmo was absolutely starving the whole journey over and back because, of course, he wasn’t keeping anything down.

But luckily, I’m not the least bit squeamish and besides this little hick-up, our trip was absolutely wonderful. I got to get away and relax for 4 whole days. My friends’ were so welcoming and their home so comfortable and scenic, right on the beach overlooking the bay. Every morning Kosmo and I would take a walk along the shore and soak in all the natural beauty.

 

Now I know that there are going to be holidays that I’m not going to be able take Kosmo, and I’m still not sure how I’m going to handle that, but at least we both got to get away. Actually, despite the motion sickness, I think Kosmo enjoyed it just as much as I did.  

 

 

Soul Soaring

Greetings! Sorry it’s been a while since I posted, but I was busy selling my condo and finding a new place to live; my next post subject may be on “Moving with Kosmo!” Today however, I wanted to write something about having a “special needs pet.”

Keeping a sick or disabled animal is not actually that unusual any more. With veterinary, like mainstream medicine, making advances, our pets are living longer and sometimes with chronic conditions that years ago would have likely led euthanasia. When our pets are considered a member of the family, we tend to do whatever we can to help them, even if this means acting as their caregivers.

Now it’s one thing to have an animal who becomes disabled, but it’s quite another to purposely adopt an animal that has special needs, and I don’t think I was really one of those people. Yes, both my pets are rescued, but my dog has always been very healthy, and honestly, I think there was s part of me that thought that I might actually be able to “fix” Kosmo. However, I have now come to the realization that this is probably not going to happen.  

Interestingly, rather than put me off of adoption, I think in the future, I would only consider taking on a pet with special needs. Yes, it means more work and sometimes more money (although, many rescue organizations will provide reduced or even free medical services), but it gives back so, so much more. I know this will be hard, possibly impossible for some to understand, and I can’t explain in a way that will do it justice. Luckily, I don’t have to, that great mind Albert Einstein already has:

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

Taking care of Kosmo gives me purpose and helps me to feel like I’m a part something bigger than myself. Sure, I get frustrated having so much responsibility, daily tasks, and of course the worry that comes with it all, but like Einstein says, it also frees me

Here is a video of one of my daily caregiving tasks with Kosmo; every night I have to “put” him to bed, so I need to be here, each night, to do this (not something my friends and family always understand.) I know this probably sounds like the opposite of freedom, but I assure you, it is not. When you watch the video, try looking deep into those little eyes – the universe IS in there and it really can set your soul soaring.  

 

My Valentine

As we approach that day of all things having to do with Love, I thought I’d write about some of the reasons why I, and perhaps many other people, love parrots so much. Because let’s face it, if you aren’t a “bird person” you probably don’t get it at all. Here are a few:

Birds are beautiful. We’ve all seen pictures of exotic parrots that come in every colour under the rainbow. However, even birds that aren’t that colourful, like eagles and owls, are still mesmerizing in their splendor and majesty. Kosmo, and other Quakers, aren’t the most colourful of birds, but when the light hits their feathers just right, they become luminous, and what was simply “green” before, is transformed into a shimmering spectrum of spun gold with shades of turquoise and jade.    

Birds are quirky and are always good for a laugh. All animals can do amusing things that endear them to us, but unlike mammals, birds are particularly unusual in their mannerisms. Maybe it’s because they waddle around on short legs and huge feet; have a fondness for hanging upside down whenever possible, or make the strangest jesters that probably mean something serious in bird-language, but just seem hilarious to us. Birds are natural clowns, and if you own one or more, you will rarely go a day without them making you laugh (If you don’t believe me, go back a few posts to see videos of Kosmo dancing and bathing – I dare you not to chuckle!)

Of course, birds are intelligent, affectionate and communicative (they even speak to you in English sometimes!) But the thing that really does it for me is the intimacy you get with a parrot.

There’s an old Vaudeville joke that goes, “If you want monogamy, marry a swan!”

No matter how big your flock (family, friends, other pets…) chances are your bird only has eyes for you – literally! Most parrot owners are viewed as that bird’s life-mate, as a result, they fully bond with you. This has its advantages and disadvantages.

Obviously, it’s a big responsibility owning a parrot. Mostly, this is because when you’re not with them, they are often not at ease and can get quite distressed. This makes working, going out socially, and travel especially, difficult.

On the flip side, the connection you have with a bird is like no other. I love my dog to death, but unless it involves food or a squeaky toy, his attention span with me is about 10 minutes, then he falls asleep.

Kosmo is always tuned into me: my moods, feelings, what I’m doing, saying, and yes I believe, what I’m thinking. And he demands my attention, not every moment, but daily, so he’s a very big presence in my life. Honestly, I never feel lonely when I’m with him, which admittedly, may not be such a good thing for someone as reclusive as I can be.     

Listen, I know I’m not going to change anyone’s mind. Some people simply don’t like birds. Many are afraid of them; often with good reason. A couple of weeks ago, one of my friends described being chased into a room by an agitated Cockatoo who eventually took a chunk out of her foot! As strange as it sounds, when it comes to parrots, often, if you aren’t their “mate” you are only tolerated, or sometimes, seen as a threat, and targeted.

So if you aren’t a “bird-person,” I don’t expect you to really understand. However, if you know someone who is, I hope you can be patient with them. We can’t go out as much, and have to plan when we do; our homes are sometimes both messy and nosey, and we are often as preoccupied with our feathered babies as any new parent. And make no mistake, we are both passionate and dedicated, sometimes obsessively; if we weren’t, then we shouldn’t have birds, because that is what they require.

Kosmo is doing much better by the way. In fact, he’s gone 4 days and 3 nights without any type of collar: WITH-NO-PLUCKING! 

See what a little love can do 🙂 

Happy Valentines’ Day all!

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” is the title of the famous espionage novel from genre-master John LeCarre. Also, it’s the way I’ve been feeling lately. Let me explain…

Soldier:

Kosmo has been causing some damage under his right wing, where he had his really bad wound before. I guess it’s still itchy. The damage isn’t that bad, thankfully, because I found it quickly. Examining Kosmo for injuries is part of my soldiering duties, but I have even more hazardous tasks to perform. Because he is picking at himself again, I need to put a collar on him regularly, a process he fights with every ounce of his being. I don’t want to hurt him, so I try to restrain him. However, it’s really difficult to handle a struggling squirming parrot and, at the same time, attach a limp cloth collar around his neck. Tactically, I’ve been forced to use a weapon of defence, namely a sock hood, which scares the crap out of him, but allows me enough time to get the collar on. I’m not sure I’m cut out to be in the infantry.

Tailor:

This has almost become a full-time job. Making my own cloth collars has a lot of advantages. First I don’t have to pay for them (they’re not cheap.) As well, I’ve discovered that Kosmo doesn’t really need a big heavy collar – really anything around his neck stops him from over-preening, so I can make them light and small, which will ultimately bug him less. I had to give my dime-store sewing machine a complete overhaul, but it now seems to be working well. Sewing, however, is really hard on my neck and shoulder, so after a while, I end up in a lot of pain.

Spy:

I give Kosmo periods of the day without his collar on – I find this compromise works best because, the happier he is, the less obsessive behaviour he indulges in. However, during these periods, I have to watch him like a hawk (pun intended) because if he really hurts himself again, it will be off to the vet, which both Kosmo and I hate. Thus, I watch, but I still need to do all my daily tasks. So I’m working away on something, I pause, look over at him, if he’s not attacking his wing I go back to what I’m doing, if he is I yell “Kosmo” causing him stop and look guilty, repeat throughout the day. During these periods, I am The Watcher, but sometimes I forget, panic, and rush over to see if any damage was done; it’s exhausting.

Tinker:

One definition of a “Tinker” is an “unskilled or clumsy worker” which is often how I feel in my other jobs of Solider, Tailor and Spy. I’m doing my best, but I get so tired and so frustrated and honestly, sometimes I feel quite trapped; I just don’t see a way out. If I decide not to foster Kosmo, what’s the alternative? Who would take him on? He would probably end up living at a bird sanctuary, with little love or attention, and this would likely drive him to more destructive behaviour and that would undoubtedly lead to his end. I just couldn’t live with that.

Like George Smiley, the hero of the Cold War novel Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy, I am both dedicated to my cause, but suffer from the weight of its complexity. However, it is the mission I signed up for, so I’m going to give it my all.

Note: Considering getting a parrot, please do your research, you can start by visiting this link.

In Fine Feather!

 

Look at this handsome devil! He looks like a new bird, but this makeover was not an easy one.

About 3 weeks ago Kosmo went back into the hospital. I brought him in because of increasing aggression offset by bouts of lethargy. I felt it was because of all the new feathers he was getting, none of which he could get at because of his collar. The poor little guy was in constant discomfort and angst. Imagine having a rash all over your body and living with a straightjacket!

For those of you non bird-people, let me explain. Birds constantly grow feathers, as we grow hair and nails, this process is called molting. If a feather becomes damaged, a new one will begin growing to replace it, so because Kosmo plucked, he had feathers growing in as replacements. Sometimes molting can be seasonal, during which most feathers are regrown. These full molts take a lot of energy out of the bird.

When new feathers come in, they are covered in a white protein case that protects them until they mature. When ready, the bird will break open this protein case with its beak or claws. The urge to free these encased feathers is very strong and birds in a full molt will work for hours preening themselves.

In addition to Kosmo’s replacement feathers, my poor baby went into a full molt, and because of the huge collar he was wearing, he couldn’t reach any of the new encased feathers to preen them, so he was in literal torment – I just couldn’t stand watching it anymore.

Since I couldn’t get his “dicky” collar off because it was bolted onto his neck, I brought him in to the vets and pleaded with them to take the collar off. They said they wanted to observe him first, so what could I do I left him there.

When I got home I started researching alternatives to traditional plastic collars. I found some stories about birds who had successfully transitioned to cloth collars. These can be put on and taken off using Velcro, they are less invasive than plastic collars and often have little tags sewed on them that the birds chew on (instead of themselves!)

Anyway, after some negotiations (hence the 10 days in the vets), the plastic collar was finally removed and Kosmo was allowed to preen his new feathers. Also, since he didn’t start back at plucking, he was given a cloth collar to wear at night only (see below) when I couldn’t monitor him.

In conclusion, 2 days before Christmas I got my baby back looking absolutely fabulous! He still has some bald spots, but he looks so much better. Unfortunately for me, it’s quite the fight to get the cloth collar on him at night and I have to keep a close eye on him, but so far so good, and most importantly, he is so much happier.

I am now hopeful that we have turned a corner on this problem. I know this type of issue is often chronic, but at least I have some knowledge and tools to help me deal with it.

On this optimistic note, Kosmo and I would like to wish you the best in health and happiness in the coming New Year and to encourage you to never give up; even when things look hopeless, they can always change.

Happy 2016 everyone!

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

Hope you and Mrs. Clause are doing well. I know this your busy time of year, so I’ll try not to take too much of your time.

A lot of things have changed since I wrote you last. Something happened with my family and I got really sad and angry. My emotions made me so nervous that I started to pluck some of my feathers out. I didn’t mean to, as I always quite liked my feathers, but I just couldn’t seem to help myself. As I lost more and more feathers, I got even more upset, then I started to hurt myself. I know I was being a very bad bird, but I didn’t know how else to express how sad I was. Anyway, I ended up having to move into the hospital. I miss my family, but I really don’t blame them because they didn’t know what to do with me. 

But guess what? While I was at the hospital, I met a lady and she really liked me and she wants me to be her parrot and become a member of her family. I’ve been staying with her for over a month now, although I did have to go back to the hospital for a little bit. I’m trying my best to be a good bird and not pluck or hurt myself. Of course it helps that I have this collar around my neck that stops me from reaching my body (sigh!) My foster Mom is trying to teach me to take my frustration out on toys instead of myself. I’m trying my best, but I might still need to wear my collar for a while yet.

Dear Santa, for Christmas this year, could you work some of your magic and help me to be a better bird and not hurt myself anymore. I love my new family and I want to stay here forever. With your help, the help of my vet and my new family, I’m sure I can be a healthy and happy again.

All my best to the elves and reindeer.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Kosmo

PS. Sending you a picture, Mom made it on Photoshop (I think she needs more practice!)

 

Slave to Love

Kosmo is back home after 2 weeks at the vet’s. One of the main purposes for his visit was to find a way to keep a collar on him for longer than a couple of days. As I’ve mentioned, my avian vet isn’t close, so travelling there and back regularly is difficult.

A couple of days before Kosmo came home, my Mom arrived for her usual winter stay here on the west coast. So now I’ve got my mother, as well as my long-lost, self-mutilating, Quaker parrot living with me and my dog. This may not seem like much of an issue, except that Kosmo has been very loud since his return, and when you’re not used to squawking parrots, well it isn’t easy on the ears (or the nerves.)

Poor Kosmo now has a double collar, one “dicky” collar bolted right around his neck, then a wide plastic collar over that that stops him from basically reaching any part of his body. This is quite invasive for an animal without hands, and he now has both limited ability and mobility.

As a result, I have become his attendant, care aid, servant…holding pieces of food for him while he eats, moving him from place to place (the collars really throws off his equilibrium.) I also need give him 3 different medications and a special “pabulum” 4 times daily.

Finally, I’ve been trying my best to keep Kosmo relatively quiet so that he doesn’t drive my Mom completely around the bend!

Needless to say, my alcohol consumption has increased significantly.

However, my little family is all together again and my favorite time of year is fast approaching.

There are much more terrible things to be a slave to than compassion or love, so I’m happy to make the effort, but still thankful for the wine 🙂

Empty Nest

So Kosmo has been at the vet’s since Nov 3rd. I surrendered him there after 4 days of having him home wearing this huge collar – not even a cone that just covers his head, a collar that was literally about twice his girth.

Have a look.

My poor little guy 😦

He was obviously very unhappy about this impediment and worked labouredly to remove it. After 2 days he had chewed a good section out of the rim and by the fourth day he was getting his lower beak stuck under the plastic, so thinking this might be dangerous, I removed the collar. Within a few minutes, he was repeating the same behaviour that got him in trouble in the first place.

Sigh!

As you’ve probably guessed by now, Kosmo started self-mutilating again; picking a big sore deep under one of his wing. Which I totally missed GUILT-GUILT-GUILT!

So, getting back to my removing his collar only to have him start picking again and all this was happening while I was expecting a client, who has actually become my friend (thank God) to arrive at my place any minute for a meeting.

I knew I needed to stop him from picking, so I took a pillow case and swaddled him so that he was very much immobile.  Thus, when my client arrived, I greeted her cradling a squawking, miniature, mummified, Quaker parrot, who she took one look at and said, “We’ve got to get that bird to the vet.”

And so because of this woman’s kindness and understanding, our meeting took place in my car, with the squawking bird and the whining dog (needed to be walked) in the backseat, while I drove at break-neck speed across town (to avoid rush-hour) and surrender my poor little baby to someone who we both hoped could help him.

I’m going to pick him up tomorrow. I hope I get a chance to talk in depth to the vet. Funny stories aside…I’m very worried about this situation.

As I said in my first post: I really, really hope this will be a happy story.

Dance Party!

I mentioned in my last post that Kosmo will do the Funky Chicken if you applaud him. Well, it seems it goes far beyond that. This tattered little bird DANCES – I mean really dances; like cuts-a-rug! The only thing is, you need to dance with him. I found this out the other night. Luckily, I had friends over who recorded this phenomenon while Kosmo and I kicked up our heels.

You will notice that I am not on the recording – this was at my insistence, not Kosmo’s, he would have been happy to share the spotlight.

Another bloody mystery! Did someone teach this bird to dance, or is he just a good mimic? But he won’t mimic speech (believe me, I’ve tried.)

So…

Kosmo can’t/won’t fly

Kosmo can’t/won’t talk

But…

Kosmo will raise hell with a little encouragement from Michael Jackson and a willing partner.

Have a look…God, he is just glorious!