What a cuddly day :p

[tab_xo]

Fargo issss 2 and a half now, and i swear he thinks he is Peter Pan and never wants to grow up ! He always acts like a big baby haha

I am on holidays now, so i just get to sit and watch movies all day, and take pictures of Fargo of course!!!


I enrolled into all my classes for next term! We start back on the 30th.. Very excited.. I am probably the only student who is looking forward to going back!
However i am not looking forward to the end of August... I will have my yearly residential schools, so i will be gone for 3 days/2 nights.. Not entirely sure what is going to happen with Fargo as of yet!


Not much new with Fargo, apart from it being Winter now, so all the crows have come to our property and like to scare the poor boy -_-

I swear it is almost impossible to hold Fargo like a normal bird.. He just hates sitting up right.. He just loves to hang!

For example, we were trying to get a picture today, and this is his position 99% of the time hahaha










Or... When i got my phone out to take pictures, because he was just lying next to me like this-

Do you think someone might be a bit of an attention seeker? hahaha




*More pics in the next post*

 

[tab_xo]

Some more pics from the phone- Once again the phone quality is so rubbish and makes his feathers such a weird colour
He does this every single day to get cuddles... If anything, he is even more cuddly than what he was as a baby haha








and just a quick off topic- Kyros and I are now jumping 1.20m!!!! Which is pretty awesome!! That is getting up there in height.. Grand Prix is classed as 1.30m!!!

He makes every jump look so small though haha Silly giant horse!
His last owner can't believe it, they could never get him to jump!




and just relaxing.. haha

 

[henpecked]

Great pics as always. Your so good with all your babies. glad to hear school is going good. Congrats

 

[Birdman666]

That's what all macaws should be. Playful cuddlebugs...

This is how they behave when they are well loved, and their needs are met.

 

[thekarens]

Fargo is adorable as always and Kyros is stunning.

 

[tab_xo]

Thank you Richard!! It is going to be heartbreaking to leave them all for 3 days... I am sure i will be crying alot when i leave

Still waiting for our exam results back.. They come back the 27th i believe, so fingers crossed i pass


Exactly Mark!! It is funny, i was always told that when they reach 2 they will stop being the cuddly baby they were

He is starting to same his name ALOT now.. He will just be sitting next to me saying 'Fargo.. Fargo.. Fargo' Every time i try and record it he just starts saying hello instead.. Grr.. I will record it one day!


How do you go about leaving your flock? I have left Fargo for an afternoon/night/morning before.. and is fine being left from 5am until 7pm.. But I have never left for 2 whole nights.. So little unsure how he is going to handle it.. Any tips? I can't decide if it would be easier for him to stay here and mum just feed him and possibly be able to let him out, or take him to a parrot boarding place... Mum just doesn't know much about birds, so little torn with what to do..

 

[MacawLoverOf3]

And you are complaining that he 'hangs' around so much and such a big baby????????? I should hope not.

As for leaving, start explaining now why you will be leaving, tell him for how long and when and that you will be back. When they know what to expect they can handle it a lot better than you just disappearing and they don't know why you are gone and if you are ever coming back.

 

[henpecked]

How do you go about leaving your flock? I have left Fargo for an afternoon/night/morning before.. and is fine being left from 5am until 7pm.. But I have never left for 2 whole nights.. So little unsure how he is going to handle it.. Any tips? I can't decide if it would be easier for him to stay here and mum just feed him and possibly be able to let him out, or take him to a parrot boarding place... Mum just doesn't know much about birds, so little torn with what to do..

I don't know a good answer for that. Good socialization early in life. I've been lucky that my wife and kids have always been involved with the birds, guess me not being there is not that big of a deal. My fids are used to me being gone a lot. I think it'll be harder on you than Fargo,LOL. I would only take him to a boarding facility as a last resort.

 

[tab_xo]

Noooo of course not ?!
I probably type a little sarcastic and mess around when i talk about Fargo.. Sorry.. Most people know i just tease him alot haha

I know i am incredibly lucky to have Fargo with his amazing personality.. Couldn't ask for an easier macaw.. I don't think i have complained about a single thing about Fargo since i have had him..



Really? Explaining things will work ? I don't really talk to Fargo much, not like proper conversations, explaining what i am doing and stuff.. Usually just- Watcha doing, you are a fool, stop that, you are cute haha.. When i go to ride horses i always tell him- Sorry, i will be back soon!


Wondering if skyping will help.. I skype with my friends a few times a week, and he LOVES talking to people, he talks to them and watches the screen.. So if he could see and hear me it might be a bit better for him!

 

[tab_xo]

I don't know a good answer for that. Good socialization early in life. I've been lucky that my wife and kids have always been involved with the birds, guess me not being there is not that big of a deal. My fids are used to me being gone a lot. I think it'll be harder on you than Fargo,LOL. I would only take him to a boarding facility as a last resort.

Ahhh that is so lucky!

My dad and brother won't even go near him because they are terrified of how big he is..

And mum plays with him, but i don't think she would really spend quality time with him Mum loves horses, so i am fine leaving them for a few days. But it is a different story with Fargo because for some reason i am just the only bird person i know of!

I know he will let mum take him out of his cage and play in the room, he likes her, it is just the fact that she might not do the same


Oh i think so :09: It breaks my heart even thinking about it.. Every spare chance i will get, i will be calling home asking how he is going!

 

[Birdman666]

Exactly Mark!! It is funny, i was always told that when they reach 2 they will stop being the cuddly baby they were


How do you go about leaving your flock? I have left Fargo for an afternoon/night/morning before.. and is fine being left from 5am until 7pm.. But I have never left for 2 whole nights.. So little unsure how he is going to handle it.. Any tips? I can't decide if it would be easier for him to stay here and mum just feed him and possibly be able to let him out, or take him to a parrot boarding place... Mum just doesn't know much about birds, so little torn with what to do..

Well, that's hogwash. At age 2, you tend to have the control problems that come with a headstrong bird who finds out he can get his way by misbehaving. (So he does!) When you train them to bite you - they will be much less cuddly, and much more unpleasantly demanding. People inadvertently train their birds to do this. It's more a bird handling thing than a personality trait. ALL macaws test. Not just the two year olds. At 2, they begin the birdie manipulation stuff, if you haven't already passed that test. If he can't get his way by misbehaving, they don't do it, and you really don't have to deal with this much...

To me the hard age with macaws are the initial hormonal years 7 to 12... where they are learning to adjust to "birdie puberty." I had a brief problem with Sweapea becoming territorial at age 7 - right on schedule - and broke her of that completely within about 4-6 months. She acts up every now and again at the onset of breeding season, but nothing too out of control.

I actually just left mine for a week. My father is day to day on Hospice and is dying of Cancer, so it was just drop everything and go. I left my birds in the bird room, with their cage doors open, and left detailed instructions with my daughter on how, how much, and what to feed. I was gone a week.

They did fine.

My daughter has grown up with birds, and can handle them, though.

Fargo reminds me of Maggie. Chances are he won't miss a beat. If he's prone to search and destroy missions while you are gone, close the cage door. If not, he should be just fine if someone comes in and gives him food and water everyday. And perhaps Mom can sit down with him for a spell...

 

[Allee]

Hey Tab, I always love seeing your updates and photos of your darlings. I hope you are enjoying every minute of your hard earned break. Relaxing with your fids and catching up on movies sounds great.
I know you must be concerned about leaving Fargo for three days. Your mom sounds like an amazing woman and I know she understands how important Fargo is to you. I would suggest discussing all your concerns with her in advance, I think he would be happier in his familiar, comfortable room with his own things than at a boarding facility. I have faith you'll make the best decision for your boy. Skype is a wonderful idea and Fargo is certainly tech savy enough to enjoy it. Enjoy your vacation, Sweet Girl.

 

[Anansi]

Hey, Sunshine! Great pics! (Well, except for the fact that your camera seems to have some kind of inexplicable vendetta against your face!!! Stop hiding, woman! Lol!)

Kyros is truly gorgeous! You know how you'll often read vivid descriptions of magnificent horses in novels? And in describing their coats you'll always see the words "lustrous sheen"? Well, looking at Kyros, I think that's pretty much the image those authors had in mind. He's practically reflective! Hahaha!

And as for your boarding question, I'm with Richard. I'd say last resort. I know you're worried about how much your mom will play with him, but I doubt he'd be getting much, if any, playtime at a boarding facility. So I doubt it would be worth the additional disruption to his life of being displaced every week for a few days, you know? Not unless you truly had no other choice.

 

[RavensGryf]

Fargo is so cute as always Tab! Kyros is awesome too! Thanks for sharing. Best wishes with everything

 

[labell]

Great pics! I agree with no boarding, maybe you could find a really big new toy to give him before you leave that might keep him busy destroying it while you are gone.
If he is used to Skype it may work to ease your worries as much as his. I know when we tried it for my dog it drove him crazy..(I can see and hear mom but can't get to her, sort of thing.) Not good, my husband said he searched the house for HOURS looking and crying for me!

 

[Terry57]

Tab, I always love your Fargo updates!
I am sure that Fargo is going to be fine while you are away, and cannot imagine how excited he will be to see you!! I agree with Allee, I would talk with your Mom about your worries

Mark, I am so sorry about your father.

 

[Anansi]

Mark, somehow I missed it the first time around. I'm sorry to hear about your father. I went through the same thing almost three years ago, and I know it can be rough. You and yours are in my prayers, friend, and you can always pm me if you'd like.

 

[Allee]

Mark, I am also very sorry for what you are going through. My father passed away four years ago after a seven month struggle with a very aggressive form of leukemia. I spent many days and nights in his hospital room. Never an easy journey my friend, I am always willing to listen if you'd like to talk.

 

[Birdman666]

Nothing much to talk about. It's just his time. When he passes, it will end his suffering, so I think in some ways it will be a relief. I know that sounds cold... but it's difficult to see someone you care about suffering that much, with the end so close, and so inevitable.

If it were me at that point? So Doc - I can take about 10 or 20 of these Oxycontin's at a time, right?!

 

[Anansi]

Nothing much to talk about. It's just his time. When he passes, it will end his suffering, so I think in some ways it will be a relief. I know that sounds cold... but it's difficult to see someone you care about suffering that much, with the end so close, and so inevitable.

If it were me at that point? So Doc - I can take about 10 or 20 of these Oxycontin's at a time, right?!

Doesn't sound cold at all. Not when you've been there. Complicated mishmash of feelings. You don't want to lose your loved one, yet you don't want them to suffer. Nothing cold about that.