Freckles and I took a Walk

[graceyann]

:01:......and this makes me ridiculously happy!! Saturday marked the 5th week she and I have been together. Her previous person had her for 35 years. I wondered if we'd ever get to the point of a friendly pat.....she's never been aggressive, just cautious. The Forum community gave me tips on how to get her to eat vegetables (she prefers them off a spoon), and basically to just give her time. Saturday, she honored me with a step up when I offered my hand......she first let me stroke her front, her back, her face and head.....and then took the leap of faith. After what can only be described as a "snuggle", she climbed up my arm and sat on my shoulder.....so "arrrrgh", were pirates now. We walked through the rooms of the house, sat on the couch and after about 15/20 minutes, she was ready to go back to her cage.
Probably one of the more amazing things, to me, is the relationship she has developed with my cats.....they are curious.....more so with the toys in Freckles cage, instead of her. Recently, I've caught them playing together......the cats batting the bells toward Freckles and Freckles batting them back. I love her.......lots and lots and lots.

 

[graceyann]

.....last night my girl actually solicited a head rub, then a scratch......and then a whole body petting. she really delights me

 

[DRB]

The first few months are so exciting and dare I say precious. Not that it can't stay that way but as the bond grows so do expectations and assumptions on how everything will go.

I'm very guilty of getting wrapped up in how incredibly smart these birds are and losing sight of the fact they are still wild animals that instinctually live life as prey and therefor will forever hold a smidgeon of caution and apprehension due to circumstances around them.

 

[Anansi]

I'm so glad to hear that a bond has formed between you and Freckles! There's nothing like the first time your bird opens up and decides to trust you. What an amazing feeling! It's also great that you were careful not to overdo it the first time out, instead returning her to her cage once she indicated that she was ready to do so. Next time, she may venture out for even longer.

One thing, though. Please be careful of her proximity to your cats. Even through the bars of her cage, there is a danger. Due to a bird's lack of defenses against Gram negative bacteria, one scratch is potentially all it would take for things to end tragically.

But again, congratulations on your progress with Freckles!

 

[Scott]

What a terrific breakthrough of trust and affection! Greys are incredibly cautious and analytical, but you managed to penetrate her defenses and were nicely rewarded!

Please forgive the focus on your cats, but understand there are many unpleasant and sad stories posted within the forum. What appears a friendship can turn horrific in a nanosecond.

 

[Billdore]

I never realized before that cat scratch fever is actually a real thing. WHo knew thought it was just a song.

 

[graceyann]

thank you all for the replies.......believe me, I agonized over the cat issue, too. because I live with a collection of antiques and art, when I rescued my feline tribe, and they were old enough.....it was spay, neuter, declaw......last thing I wanted was an 18th C Windsor chair relegated to scratching post status. the first few days I had Freckles, the cats put noses to the cage bars and Freckles drew blood......at that point, they decided she was boss and it wasn't going to be questioned. what fascinates them are the bell toys in her bird palace......and the first time I witnessed the interaction, I really thought I was seeing things......my big guy, Rooster Cogburn pushed the bell towards Freckles, Freckles pushed it back.....this went on, back and forth between them for a good 5 or 6 minutes, before Freckles decided she'd played with him long enough and loudly stated, "no, no, no". now, it's a daily occurrence...sometimes, Freckles initiates the game, sometimes it's one of the "tribe".
last night, I was cleaning her cage floor and she was talking to me......I sat back and told her she had an awful lot to tell me, did she want to step up and really give me details.......she literally pushed her whole body into my hand demanding a scratch. it just astounds me that such a creature trusts me in that way......and I am mindful that she has moods and feelings and if she's not interested, I leave it at that. Just never thought I'd have a gift quite like her.

 

[KimMichele]

Falling in Love...