Luna - An Ongoing Journey

[Terry57]

Luna is an IRN who was surrendered to my friend’s rescue last year. All we know is that she is 12 and was kept her whole life in a budgie cage. She was only fed budgie and cockatiel seed.
She was in my friend’s care for over a year, and wow, what a difference a good diet and loving care made in her life! She joined our flock in early May, and I can only hope the fantastic progress she has made continues. She is continuing to grow new feathers, and although she has had setbacks since she entered care initially, she seems to pluck less and less as time goes on.

This is when she was first surrendered:

This was in April right before she joined our family:

The next 2 were taken last week:

 

[GraciesMom]

Aww I love Luna. When you first showed me her pics & told me her story it really struck me how much you invest emotionally, mentally, physically in the wellfare of your rescues.

Luna looks awesome.

Keep it up Terry - you make such a fantabulous difference in their lives

 

[Terry57]

Thank you, Kelly, your kind words mean the world to me
There is something about a plucker that truly calls out to me. We rejoice in every new feather, and mourn the ones we find on the bottom of the cage.

 

[GraciesMom]

Meant every word it's very true.

I know whatcha mean. Honestly you & Allee really helped me view Gracie's plucking/barbering in a whole new light. She did cut off her last long tail feather last night so now we wait to see if shes helping her molt or if she's decided to ditch the red in her outfit altogether.
The good news is that there hasn't been any more body feathers in a week. She's finally accepted the aloe misting so I'm hoping that's helped.

 

[Terry57]

Great news that there have been no new body feathers in a week! I am so hoping that the aloe misting has helped enough to allow her to let the new feathers come in..and stay in.
What I love so much is that even if they don't, Gracie will still be loved just as much by you, and that makes for a very happy, lucky girl.

 

[GraciesMom]

I'm not stressing it or focusing on it with or without her red tail she's my girl. I still think she helps the molting process by barbering older feathers then yanking out the remaining shaft a few days later. The other possibility is the implant has her hormones wonky and it caused the behavior. We shall wait & see after her molting has progressed to new feathers.
She is definitely cut down on the over preening with the aloe. It's not as aggressive or as often.

 

[Terry57]

That is great news, and makes my heart sing One step at a time

 

[Tsali]

Oh Luna is a beauty! You have a bit of sunshine right in your own home.

 

[Allee]

I'm a huge fan of Luna and Gracie! And all the others and their parronts! Special needs pets have a lot to offer too and as Terry mentioned, a day with pretty, new feathers is a good day. Luna has made spectacular progress!

Tell Gracie, red is a hot color, maybe she should reconsider. I'm glad the aloe is working for her, it did wonders for Harry on the really bad days.

 

[Terry57]

Oh Luna is a beauty! You have a bit of sunshine right in your own home.

I love this! She is totally like a ray of sunshine

 

[Terry57]

I'm a huge fan of Luna and Gracie! And all the others and their parronts! Special needs pets have a lot to offer too and as Terry mentioned, a day with pretty, new feathers is a good day. Luna has made spectacular progress!

Tell Gracie, red is a hot color, maybe she should reconsider. I'm glad the aloe is working for her, it did wonders for Harry on the really bad days.

I agree with every word of this...I love the special needs ones so much.
And also agree about Sweet Gracie

 

[GraciesMom]

I'm a huge fan of Luna and Gracie! And all the others and their parronts! Special needs pets have a lot to offer too and as Terry mentioned, a day with pretty, new feathers is a good day. Luna has made spectacular progress!

Tell Gracie, red is a hot color, maybe she should reconsider. I'm glad the aloe is working for her, it did wonders for Harry on the really bad days.

I agree with every word of this...I love the special needs ones so much.
And also agree about Sweet Gracie

lol you should both know Gracie better by now .. telling her anything is about as useful as [ame="https://youtu.be/4s71bR1jDAo"]Beak Banging[/ame]

But I shall pass on the advice from her favorite aunties

 

[wrench13]

WOW, looks like 2 different birds. I guess for all intent and purposes, it is. Amazing job, Terry.

 

[Terry57]

lol you should both know Gracie better by now .. telling her anything is about as useful as Beak Banging

But I shall pass on the advice from her favorite aunties

LOLOL!!!

WOW, looks like 2 different birds. I guess for all intent and purposes, it is. Amazing job, Terry.

Thanks Al, she has really come a long way,but I can't take credit for most of it, my friend worked wonders with her

 

[Blancaej]

She is looking awesome Terry! She couldn't be in better hands. Good job my friend!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Terry57]

Thank you Blanca, you are so sweet

 

[Allee]

Luna, was fortunate enough to have a friendly hand extended when she needed it most, first your friends, then you and Reg. Luna couldn't possibly find a better place to perch! I have the utmost respect for all four of you!

 

[Anansi]

I'm loving this thread! I simply never tire of seeing Luna's feather progression. It's amazing what some love and care can do to turn a situation around.

Terr, I really admire the way you go out of your way to take in troubled birds. You've given a loving home to pluckers, birds with damaged or missing limbs, missing eyes, and vicious behavioral issues. In many cases, these are birds that have gone through multiple homes in their search for a forever home. In their search for you. I know they'd thank you if they could, my friend.

Looking forward to continuing updates about Luna's progress!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Rescuers, you have my most earnest admiration. I can barely look at those early pictures EVEN KNOWING that a happy improvement is to come in following pictures. I am totally paralyzed and helpless at the sight of wounded or animals. This is why I'm not a vet... I had dreamed and prepared for most of my life, but I hit the first vivisection lab and passed (yes, quit literally) OUT. I just don't have it. Thank goodness some of you do.
And I know Luna is just ONE. Of so many.
Anyway, you ALL have my gratitude for doing what I can't.

 

[Terry57]

I'm loving this thread! I simply never tire of seeing Luna's feather progression. It's amazing what some love and care can do to turn a situation around.

Terr, I really admire the way you go out of your way to take in troubled birds. You've given a loving home to pluckers, birds with damaged or missing limbs, missing eyes, and vicious behavioral issues. In many cases, these are birds that have gone through multiple homes in their search for a forever home. In their search for you. I know they'd thank you if they could, my friend.

Looking forward to continuing updates about Luna's progress!

Stephen, your words brought me to tears. You know, they do thank us...with every baby step they make towards understanding we won't hurt them, every time I realize they are not running to the food bowl and gobbling anymore because they know they will always have food, the first time they greet a bath with joy rather than terror...these things are what makes it all worthwhile. I love them all, and they are all perfect to us

Rescuers, you have my most earnest admiration. I can barely look at those early pictures EVEN KNOWING that a happy improvement is to come in following pictures. I am totally paralyzed and helpless at the sight of wounded or animals. This is why I'm not a vet... I had dreamed and prepared for most of my life, but I hit the first vivisection lab and passed (yes, quit literally) OUT. I just don't have it. Thank goodness some of you do.
And I know Luna is just ONE. Of so many.
Anyway, you ALL have my gratitude for doing what I can't.

Wonderful words, Gail, and sadly, Luna is just one of untold thousands of birds, shut in tiny cages and so deprived of even common decency that they pull out their own feathers and mutilate themselves. It is devastating to think about. But then I think of Luna, Ki, Cally, Justice, Poppy and Harry to name a few, and although we can't change every bird's life, we have changed these birds lives. Sometimes that has to be enough.

And please don't sell yourself short, you have given Rickey such a splendid life, and I am so happy that all he has known is love and joy. That is a huge accomplishment as well, and one to be applauded.

Luna has some more new feathers, so will post another update on her soon