The Power of (Parrot) Love

[JerseyWendy]

The following is a true story. It is MY story of what has transpired here at home for the past couple of days. I apologize ahead of time if it's lenghty or bores you to pieces. I struggled with the idea of posting about this for a while, but since I am genuinely quite fond of the members of this forum, I decided to write about it - perhaps it will prove somewhat therapeutic for me.

So this is the picture book story:

Yesterday my oldest son Michael(going to be 24 at the end of this month) was picked up by the US Army recruiter at 5:30PM. Over a year ago he applied to become an officer with the US Army, and on April 28th, against all odds, we found out that he had been accepted into OCS (officer training course).

Needless to say, the past few days have been extremely emotional for me. Mike and I are attached by the hips. We have an extremely close bond/relationship - always have - and always will.

I'm sure most of you heard of stories how an animal can sense something is wrong/going on, and how the behavior can change because of the stress/emotions involved. Let me first quickly tell you about my dogs. They are quite independent, but have been shadows for the last few days. (please do excuse my swollen face and teary eyes, these pictures are NOT altered in any way)

Yesterday morning, while doing daily cage routine, I noticed my birds were acting differently. While they are all snuggle bugs when they want to be, they were all attached to me like glue.

So much so, that my usual extremely mellow 13 year old Yellow Nape Amazon latched out at anyone who would try and approach me. It was almost comical - but we've NEVER seen her like this before.

Last night, after having to say good-bye, neither parrot wanted to be put back in their cage when it was bedtime. Hmm. Hunter, the YN literally wiped my tears, preened my eyebrows, and hid in my jacket.

Sam (5 month old DYH Amazon) was cooing in my year, holding on to my finger for dear life.

Niko, my B & G Macaw wrapped himself into my arms.

So it appeared they were feeling/sensing my emotions. I honestly didn't read too much into it, simply because I was too absorbed with having to deal with my own.

Well today I learned to truly appreciate being genuinely, whole-heartedly, unconditionally loved by my little flock - and HOW they show THEIR emotions and affection in an obvious attempt to cheer me up.

Mr. Niko

And my Sam

Hunter and Sam BOTH wanting to come to me

I am truly blessed! As sad as I am, the power of love has almost overwhelmed me with joy. My little (and not so little) bundles of feathered glory are truly my savior in sanity today, yesterday....and in the days, months and years to follow.

If you've read this far ....thank you.

Thank you for listening.

If you have a story, a special sentiment to share with your beloved parrot, please do share.

Let's make this a happy thread

 

[mrgoogls]

that is so nice. glad to hear all your parrots(and dogs) love you so much. my dog is like that(when nothing happening), she never leaves my side. lol.

PS: your parrots look very nice

PPS: my dogs face looks like exactly like yours! except mine is darker brown on her whole body

 

[JerseyWendy]

PPS: my dogs face looks like exactly like yours! except mine is darker brown on her whole body

No kidding? A picture would be just AWESOME right about now.

And thank you very, very much!!!

 

[MaraWentz]

They do understand everything. They're amazing. That's a beautiful story.

 

[mrgoogls]

here is a pic of my one dog. lol.

and one from the side

its not PERFECT but its pretty close! lol.

and you better like the pictures. it took me like 20 min just to get two pictures i guess my dog doesnt like posing for the camera. lol.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Holy smokes they look alike!!!!!!!!! You weren't exaggerating, were you? WOW!!! What type of dog is he/she?? My Ziva (pictured above in my face) is an AmBull Pit Mix. She just turned 2 three days ago, and she NEVER sits still, lol. THE driviest dog I have ever owned, and also the first and last female I will ever have.

 

[mrgoogls]

lol. i dont know exactly what kind of dog mine is. we took her from my dads friend sbecasue his kids were allergic and he was going to give her to the SPCA. but i figured she was part pitbull and i guess so. mine is also a female and our 1st female. one qestion, why dont you want another? i dont them. not much difference between male and female in my opinion.

mine also NEVER sits still. thats why it took so long to get those pics! lol. mine is turning 5 in december but is showing NO signs of aging. she still acts like she does when she was a few months when we got her.(except nw she is better trained...but still doesnt listen much besides the word "come") she is crazy and most people when they meet her for the 1st time think she is like a year old. lol. she is really nice. bt, she has a habit of licking EVERYTHING!!!!. like, people, the rug, the couch, the table, all out chairs, the bed...and again...PEOPLE. she never stops. my little brother sits on the floor with her and wreatles with her. and instead of biting(like dogs do to each other or in the wild) she just licks. lol.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Reading about your girl is like you're describing Ziva. She is NEVER still. AND a habitual licker. Not furniture, but faces. She gives THE best facials ever, and free of charge, lol. And she's a jumper. I don't seem to be able to break her of that habit. Funny thing is she is perfect with/around me. But I think that's where the problem lies. She is so fixated on me, and so overly protective of me, that she goes ballistic with everyone else.

We've had 5 dogs in total, and Ziva is our first girl. I don't know, but ALL my boys were/are SO much more mellow and laid back. I also have a male pure AmBull, and he's THE mellowest dog you'll ever meet. All my boys were like that. There was a Golden Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dogs, but like I said, all boys.

That's why I said my first and last girl. BUT - I love my Ziva to death and would never dream of rehoming her. She's here to stay.

Here is a picture of the both of them:

Now that I'm totally off topic, let me just throw in that I'm currently using Flight Tracker to make sure my son gets to Georgia in one piece. :32:

I also had the opportunity to speak with him on the phone briefly from the airport. YAY!!!

 

[tab_xo]

thats beautiful wendy! they are very special animals.. i hope they cheered you up a little!

 

[JerseyWendy]

thats beautiful wendy! they are very special animals.. i hope they cheered you up a little!

Thank you, Tab! Yes, they did. I'd be lost without them. :31:

 

[mrgoogls]

lol my dog is just like that. licks everything(her favorite thing is faces) and jumps on everyone. she is very bonded to me and very protecting.

good luck with your son!

 

[brianlinkles]

First I want to say thank you to your son for serving our country. I'm sure this was a very difficult but proud moment in your life. Yes, I agree with you our animals always sense our different moods. I know that my dogs and my birds are very intuitive to my different feelings. There are so many times that I have found my dogs by my side when I am not feeling well, instead of moving around like they normally do they quietly lay next to me, just staring like they are "willing" me to feel better. I once was very sick and Dorothy (my cag) was looking at me and watching me with such a worried look in her eyes. For the next few days she was very quiet, watched me and was very quiet and affectionate. I knew she was worried about me!

 

[Birdlover11]

I totally agree with you, animals sense when we are angry sad,happy and nervous. They try to do anything to cheer us up.we could tell all your animals love you a lot.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I think one of the reasons we animal lovers adore them so much is because they are pure. Some could say they are 'simple' but i see it more as a purity and clarity of feeling. They can often see through our outer layers to what is real, and they do so in a flash.
I also loved the photos in this post.

 

[sonja]

Thank you to your son. I wish him well.

 

[sarafigal]

Hi Wendy! I wish you were in the neighborhood and we could go have tea or a bottle of wine and talk about sons. Mine are still little--9 and 13--but I felt your story deeply. My birds are a comfort as my eldest, still home and attached, crashes into adolescence, and my youngest becomes ever more independent.


BTW, I agree about dogs: I have two rescues, both border collie mixes. The male, Davy, is as mellow as can be. Annabelle, the female, is hyper even at 13!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Thank you all with all my heart for the well wishes and responses.

This will be a trying time for me, but it too shall pass. For now Mike will be in training for probably a year or so, but he'll be in the service for a minimum of 6 years. We are extremely proud of him and our only hope is that he is happy with what he does.

Thank you again - all of you!!! Your support is very much appreciated.

 

[Rana]

that is amazing
What a lovely story! All my best wishes to your son as well or - Go gcuire Dia an t-ádh ort - as we'd say (Good luck/May God put luck on you)
I hope you find comfort with your flock and everyone around you
-x-

 

[JerseyWendy]

I posted this what seems like AGES ago, when it's "only" been 7 weeks or so.

We received a rigid envelope in the mail yesterday, and THIS is what was inside:

Needless to say I broke down.

BUT - in 2 weeks from today we'll be on our way to pick him up. He'll be done with Basic Training, and we'll have him home until January 2nd. I can't wait!

 

[antoinette]

Your story has touched my heart.......
Not long now Wendy...
What a handsome guy ohhhhh