Charley's Progress

[Terry57]

Charley is our 28 year old GSC2, and we have had him a year now. When he was surrendered to the rescue he was addicted to meth, and it is only in the last couple of months that he has stopped showing any outward signs.
He went through a time of non-stop screaming, even in the middle of the night, which the other birds did not appreciate at all. We would go down to make sure he was okay and could hear Slater, the OWA, screaming,"STOP THAT! STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!"

Charley came to us saying several things, How are you?, Charley's a bad, bad bird, Pretty bird, What are you doing, and in a creepy voice he shouts," What's your name?"
The other day I was leaving the bird room for a few minutes and told them I would be right back, and Charley says," HURRY UP!"

Charley is in love with my husband, and they have formed quite a bond.
Last night, my hubby had put the birds back in their cages and come upstairs with the chop dishes, and I was still in the little bird room next door to the big bird room. All of a sudden, I hear Charley, clear as day, shouting,"DADDY!" He must have said it 30 times in a row.

It amazes me how with all he has been through, that he was open to letting us into his heart.

I just realized we haven't taken any pics of him in a long time, this was right after he joined us.

 

[psychocircus91]

That's amazing Terry! How does he do with you? Are you guys pretty good buddies to?

Despite how sensitive parrots can be, it's amazing how resilient they are.

All a parrot wants is to be loved. I am so glad Charley has that now.

I hope to see some updated photos soon!

 

[Terry57]

Thank you, Don! He has come such a long way in a relatively short period of time, and that does certainly speak to how resilient they are.
He likes me okay, we play peek a boo, and he will let me scritch him, but his heart belongs to Daddy

I'll see if Reg can snap some pictures tonight. He usually has his hands full, everyone wants to be with Dad when he's there. He will have Ekko on one shoulder, Pisces on the other, Xander on his left hand, Charley on his right, Slater on his leg and Talli on his head..lol. I will have to come take the picture, I think.

 

[psychocircus91]

Sounds like a life worth living to me! For you guys and the birds!

What kinds of behaviors was he demonstrating from the drug withdraw?

 

[Terry57]

In the beginning when he was starting withdrawal, he had massive tremors, and would throw himself into the sides of his cage. Lots of screaming. Sometimes he would start almost seizing, his poor body would jerk so hard. He would frantically dash around the cage, over and over and over. It slowly lessened, but still he would have those symptoms off and on. That lasted for months. It really is only in the last 3 months or so that we have seen none of those symptoms, and the screaming at night has only stopped in the last month.

Oh, and definitely a life worth living, I don't know what we would do without any of them They rescued us.

 

[psychocircus91]

He is very, very lucky to have found you guys. There are few adopters out there equipped to handle such a difficult task.

 

[Scott]

What a difference one year makes in the life of a bird, Terry! Nothing short of miraculous to see Charley progress from unwanted to beloved.

Go Bird Man Reg!!!

 

[Terry57]

He is very, very lucky to have found you guys. There are few adopters out there equipped to handle such a difficult task.

Don, we knew about him before he even reached the rescue, and knew he needed to be a part of our flock They did most of the heavy lifting, he was there for 3 months, we just had to continue the amazing work they had started with him

What a difference one year makes in the life of a bird, Terry! Nothing short of miraculous to see Charley progress from unwanted to beloved.

Go Bird Man Reg!!!

Reg is definitely Bird Man Reg! I am just happy to have 4 birds who prefer me, thank goodness they didn't get the Reg is best memo from all the rest!

 

[Tami2]

In the beginning when he was starting withdrawal, he had massive tremors, and would throw himself into the sides of his cage. Lots of screaming. Sometimes he would start almost seizing, his poor body would jerk so hard. He would frantically dash around the cage, over and over and over. It slowly lessened, but still he would have those symptoms off and on. That lasted for months. It really is only in the last 3 months or so that we have seen none of those symptoms, and the screaming at night has only stopped in the last month.

Oh, and definitely a life worth living, I don't know what we would do without any of them They rescued us.

HI Terry,

I’m only seeing Charlie’s story now. Unbelievably! I’m so happy you found each other.

Do you know how he became addicted? Were they giving it to him or side stream smoke? Also, how was he diagnosed via blood work or were you told? Did u have to give him methodone to get him through his withdrawals? I know that’s the treatment of choice for opioid dependence in humans. Not so sure about animals or birds.
If all these questions are answered in another thread please share the link.
Thanks and I look forward to following his progress. :heart:

 

[Terry57]

Tami, I know his backstory was that he had been living in a house where they created meth, and used it as well. He was then sold to one of their customers, who admitted blowing the smoke into his face. I do know he was immediately vetted by the rescue, but am not sure whether it was confirmed by a blood test. He was quite fragile and was not given any other meds.
I'm so happy we found each other too

 

[Tami2]

WOW! That just makes me furious, Poor Baby!!
He is so lucky you found him. Thank God! :heart:

 

[Terry57]

It's lucky the person had to get rid of him, or else who knows where he would be now
I'm so grateful for the important work rescues do, thank goodness they are there to take in a bird like this!

 

[LordTriggs]

wow, he definitely found the right home

why would you give a parrot heroin? I mean outside of morals heroin is expensive which someone like that would clearly are about the money more than the bird

the bad is done with though and he can actually become a bird again

Love the work rescues do. Wish there was a main rescue center near me that I could help at

 

[psychocircus91]

wow, he definitely found the right home

why would you give a parrot heroin? I mean outside of morals heroin is expensive which someone like that would clearly are about the money more than the bird

the bad is done with though and he can actually become a bird again

Love the work rescues do. Wish there was a main rescue center near me that I could help at

They were blowing meth smoke on him, so they weren't "wasting" it. I've heard of parrots becoming addicted to nicotine just from second hand smoke. They do have sensitive respiratory systems!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Unreal Terry......freaking meth heads or any "druggy" doing that to ANY animal.
When I was in my late teens/early twenty's, I had a friend,who would blow pot smoke into the nose of his pooch,then give him a bowl of beer..he thought it was hilarious watching the poor pup stumbling around,walking into walls..yaaa..REAL FUNNY!

I'm so happy Charlie is in YOUR household now..and he has come a long way in such little time. It is true on what Tami stated...it is unbelievable on how resilient these creatures are.

I'm with M'Lord also..I think I'll google and see if there is a rescue close to me..I'd love to volunteer some of my time.

And kodo's to Reg the bird man!



Jim

 

[Kentuckienne]

I'll see if Reg can snap some pictures tonight. He usually has his hands full, everyone wants to be with Dad when he's there. He will have Ekko on one shoulder, Pisces on the other, Xander on his left hand, Charley on his right, Slater on his leg and Talli on his head..lol. I will have to come take the picture, I think.

Oh man, what a picture it would be of Reg and all the birds like that! Like an -Xmas tree! Photoshop some wrapped packages at his feet and you’ve got your Xmas card!

 

[GaleriaGila]

I love this story.
WHATS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE?????
Maybe the wonderful goodness of people like Terry has to be balanced out with creeps like the abusers. Naw... naw... I keep trying to explain the unexplainabe.
But Terry *IS* wonderful.
So is Charley.

 

[Terry57]

wow, he definitely found the right home

why would you give a parrot heroin? I mean outside of morals heroin is expensive which someone like that would clearly are about the money more than the bird

the bad is done with though and he can actually become a bird again

Love the work rescues do. Wish there was a main rescue center near me that I could help at

They were blowing meth smoke on him, so they weren't "wasting" it. I've heard of parrots becoming addicted to nicotine just from second hand smoke. They do have sensitive respiratory systems!

Thanks Don, that's exactly what happened.

LordTriggs, I'm so sorry that there are no rescues close to you, I'm sure you would find it rewarding to be able to help out.

Unreal Terry......freaking meth heads or any "druggy" doing that to ANY animal.
When I was in my late teens/early twenty's, I had a friend,who would blow pot smoke into the nose of his pooch,then give him a bowl of beer..he thought it was hilarious watching the poor pup stumbling around,walking into walls..yaaa..REAL FUNNY!

I'm so happy Charlie is in YOUR household now..and he has come a long way in such little time. It is true on what Tami stated...it is unbelievable on how resilient these creatures are.

I'm with M'Lord also..I think I'll google and see if there is a rescue close to me..I'd love to volunteer some of my time.

And kodo's to Reg the bird man!



Jim

Jim, thank you! I also knew people when I was younger who bragged about getting their pets high/drunk...infuriating. I hope you are able to find a rescue, they would be lucky to have you help out!

 

[Terry57]

I'll see if Reg can snap some pictures tonight. He usually has his hands full, everyone wants to be with Dad when he's there. He will have Ekko on one shoulder, Pisces on the other, Xander on his left hand, Charley on his right, Slater on his leg and Talli on his head..lol. I will have to come take the picture, I think.

Oh man, what a picture it would be of Reg and all the birds like that! Like an -Xmas tree! Photoshop some wrapped packages at his feet and you’ve got your Xmas card!

Haha, what a great idea for a Christmas Card! Now to get the Fids to cooperate!

I love this story.
WHATS WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE?????
Maybe the wonderful goodness of people like Terry has to be balanced out with creeps like the abusers. Naw... naw... I keep trying to explain the unexplainabe.
But Terry *IS* wonderful.
So is Charley.

Gail, your words mean the world to me...and I (as well as everyone else) think you are wonderful!!!

 

[psychocircus91]

*Begins chant* Pics! Pics!