Hello From California!

[Bandespresso]

Hi all! I'm a 24-year-old newish bird mom to a wonderful rescue grey named Espresso and long-time rescue volunteer. I work with draft horses and other farm animals at a certain happy theme park and LOVE every minute of it! Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had an obsession with animals so it is no wonder I surround myself with them as an adult.

More about Espresso:
She came from a pretty terrible home; she is a 20-year-old Congo African Grey who was in a cage barely big enough for a cockatiel, had a terrible diet, got pretty much no interaction for over a year, and was treated horribly by a man who swung a machete at her cage. When she was surrendered, the owner said she was silent for a year and bit. After a few days at the rescue, she was terrified of everyone and everything, but she already talking up a storm! I never really considered myself a "grey person" but she was definitely something special. A week after she had been there, I was cleaning her cage and talking to her and she bowed her head down....I slowly reached my hand up to her head and gave her a light scratch to which she responded with a *beep* and continued happily babbling away. It was game over. After a couple more bonding sessions, getting rid of all my cookware and candles, I took home this underweight, nervous, unhandleable grey who just fills my life with joy! Today she is seriously a completely different bird. With some patience and coaxing, she steps up from anywhere and I take her on mini adventures. She'll "help" with dishes and showers, watch t.v. with me, and today we went outside for the first time....it has probably been a looooooong time since she has seen the outside world! I couldn't be happier with my decision to bring her into my life and the exceptional progress she has made!!!

 

[miloslave]

What an awesome rescue! I am just sad for what she had to endure before!

Post pics please!

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Good for you and welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy your stay, this is a great place to chat with other bird enthusiasts. Glad Espresso's life has taken up with your's! Poor darling, sounds like she's had a pretty rough haul.

 

[Allee]

Hello and Welcome! Glad to have you and Espresso join us! Thank you for sharing Espresso's story, so happy you found each other.

 

[kimn818]

Hello and welcome! I have recently become quite eager to adopt or purchase a CAG. Thank you for rescuing her and loving her the way she deserves to be loved!

 

[RavensGryf]

Welcome. Sounds like Espresso is a very happy bird in her new life with you. Wonderful! How long have you had her?

Btw... sounds like an intersting job you have! I've been dying to visit 'that theme park' you speak of . I live near enough, hubby and I need to go!

 

[Bandespresso]

thank you all for the warm welcomes! I was on another forum that, while quite knowledgable, was not at all as inviting
I'll post pictures very soon; we unexpectedly have our first vet visit today so we have a lot to deal with right now...merry Christmas to me, right?

Welcome. Sounds like Espresso is a very happy bird in her new life with you. Wonderful! How long have you had her?

Btw... sounds like an intersting job you have! I've been dying to visit 'that theme park' you speak of . I live near enough, hubby and I need to go!

We have known eachother for about 3 months but she has only been home for half of that. It's kind of funny (in my own selfish way) because the other woman who was thinking about adopting her heard about my success and is now coming to me (a first-time bird mom) for advice on her birds! It was absolutely the perfect match.

Thank you it is absolutely the best job ever. I have been at the resort for 3 years and working with the animals for almost 1! You definitely should go but not until AFTER the holiday craziness

 

[Terry57]

Hello and welcome! I am so thrilled that you have taken Espresso into your family, and that her ordeals are over. I hope everything goes well at the vets, please update us.
I am also looking forward to pictures when you have a chance.
I also have a rescue CAG who has stolen my heart, and I can't wait to hear more about Espressos's progress
Glad you found our forum and decided to join us.

 

[Bandespresso]

They can't take us until 6:30 pacific time which worries me but at least that gives us time to prepare better....she is playing with the carrier now so it isn't as scary. I just hope we can take care of whatever is going on. Here are some pictures while I wait!

Grumpy bird...but pretty shot!

Sweet Potato Face

Happypoof

Red butt!

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

I'm sure she will be fine! At least they can see her today and you don't have to wait over night!

I love the "sweet potato face" pic. Zilla loves what I call "foot food" If I could make all of her food large enough pieces she could hold it while eating she would be a happy camper!

 

[Bandespresso]

Vet visit went well!! They found some extra bacteria in her fecal matter and sent us home with 10 days of Flagyl to get everything balanced and prevent it from turning into an infection. Now we wait for her blood and bile work! She did surprisingly well, though, and kept trying to talk over the vet hahaha

 

[kimn818]

So happy to hear the vet visit went well!

 

[RavensGryf]

Beautiful pics! I'm glad Espresso was such a ham at the vet's instead of being scared. I'm sure she'll be all better in no time .

 

[Bandespresso]

Thanks!! I'm pretty sure my boyfriend has a bruise on his leg from me gripping it in the waiting room. I was probably more nervous than Espresso was!

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Thanks!! I'm pretty sure my boyfriend has a bruise on his leg from me gripping it in the waiting room. I was probably more nervous than Espresso was!

I know that feeling well! Zilla and I have had many vet visits over the last couple months and I think I am always more nervous than she is!

You will be amazed at what a little medicine and a lot of love can do for her though! Zilla is a whole new bird now!