Wow! Thought I Lost Him.

[Caitnah]

This is just a story on something that happened to me and my Pineapple the other day...that ended up taking about a year off my life.

I have only had my GCC for a little over 3 weeks. He has endeared himself to me to the point that he is definitely a family member.
About ten days ago, I installed a small security camera so I could keep an eye on him when I am not home. Wanted to make sure he wasn't bored or screaming, etc.

The other day, I was away from home and checking on him. I noticed that he was on the bottom of the cage. Sometimes he will sit in the corner. But this time, he was in the middle of the cage and not moving. The corner of his cage had my view partially blocked. I could see his chest but it appeared as if he was on his back. He does like to sit in my hand on his back but this was the first time he was doing it in the cage...but he wasn't moving. I watched for a few minutes and still, no movement.
This camera has sound and a microphone which I do not like to use when not home since, if I call him, he will think I'm home and get excited. He ALWAYS responds to my whistle and the calling of his name.

But this time I had to call out to him. I used the mic and called his name. Nothing. I whistled...still NOTHING. Now I'm starting to panic. I kept calling and whistling...no movement! I re-started the program...same thing. I re-booted the phone...same thing.
I was going to be home in about 45' and when I was finally driving home, I kept calling him and still nothing. Now I am fearing the worse. My imagination is running away and total fear is setting in.

As I near my house I check one more time...still at the bottom of the cage!
I enter my house and immediately call out to him. He ALWAYS responds to this. This time...NOTHING!

I run up the stairs and burst through the door to his room. To my relief, he's happily there, eating his food. He initially looks at me and seems to be thinking, "What's your problem..." He then starts chirping in excitement and climbing the side of the cage.

I almost fell to my knees in relief. I look down at my phone at the screen AND IT IS STILL SHOWING HIM ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CAGE!!!

Seems the WiFi signal froze at the moment he was on the bottom of the cage and never went live again. I was looking at a still image.

I made sure he was okay and then immediately drove to the Wine Store.

 

[T00tsyd]

This had me going through all your emotions with you! Then I caught myself releasing a big breath. So glad it was a tech fault but the affect on you is something else!

 

[WilliamKenyon]

Wow that must have been a terrifying situation. Even with modern technology as good as it is, it can still fail with scary consequences. Thankfully your baby was perfectly okay:41:. Must have been such a relief. Phew, "wipes sweat from forehead" :52:

 

[Tami2]

This had me going through all your emotions with you! Then I caught myself releasing a big breath. So glad it was a tech fault but the affect on you is something else!

Oh my, me too. You are quite the story teller. I was hanging on every word & I was right there with you.
Are you a writer? If not, you should seriously consider it.

Thank God your baby is okay & it was just equipment malfunction!!

:heart:

 

[Scott]

What a story, glad the ending was good! Technology is beyond amazing, but when it plays tricks on us.... Reminds me of the phrase "Nothing can go wrong, go wrong, go wrong....."

 

[JamesC]

I had a similar fright myself just the past week, though it was apparent all was ok after a couple of minutes. I put a camera in Tootsie's home after her toe was amputated so I could look in on her. And another thing I did was to move to bottom grate up to right below her perches in case she lost balance and fell. I was at work and turned on the camera to find her on a perch but tipped forward with her head resting on the grate and her wings slumped. She looked like she passed out and the grate was the only thing keeping her from falling. I keyed the mic and started trying to get her attention and she jumped up looking around startled. I realized after more observation that because she was on 2 pain meds, one of them an opiate, she was just stoned. Poor old girl was just totally out of it.

Just that few seconds of seeing her like that caused all kinds of panic tinged emotion. What you went through was a heck of a lot worse but I'm very glad it was just a technology glitch.

By the way, I love having a camera in her home. It was going to get turned into a security camera after I judged her well but I've become fascinated with watching her when I'm not home. Is a peek into her life that I normally don't see. I suppose I'll have to get another camera or two if i want to do the security thing. Though they might end up peeking into Rosco's and Sidney's homes.

 

[Caitnah]

I had a similar fright myself just the past week, though it was apparent all was ok after a couple of minutes. I put a camera in Tootsie's home after her toe was amputated so I could look in on her. And another thing I did was to move to bottom grate up to right below her perches in case she lost balance and fell. I was at work and turned on the camera to find her on a perch but tipped forward with her head resting on the grate and her wings slumped. She looked like she passed out and the grate was the only thing keeping her from falling. I keyed the mic and started trying to get her attention and she jumped up looking around startled. I realized after more observation that because she was on 2 pain meds, one of them an opiate, she was just stoned. Poor old girl was just totally out of it.

Just that few seconds of seeing her like that caused all kinds of panic tinged emotion. What you went through was a heck of a lot worse but I'm very glad it was just a technology glitch.

By the way, I love having a camera in her home. It was going to get turned into a security camera after I judged her well but I've become fascinated with watching her when I'm not home. Is a peek into her life that I normally don't see. I suppose I'll have to get another camera or two if i want to do the security thing. Though they might end up peeking into Rosco's and Sidney's homes.

Glad it worked out for you also. Like you, I too enjoy watching Buddy when I am not home. The other day, I was watching him and he was trying to figure out how to open his cage door. Sneaky bugger...

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Its only fair that we install cameras and spy on them when we aren't home when you think about it.

I mean, I haven't take a pee, crap or shower in peace in over seven years (unless its after I put him to bed).

 

[Caitnah]

I mean, I haven't take a pee, crap or shower in peace in over seven years (unless its after I put him to bed).

I'm starting to discover that now.

Although I had a Cockatoo many years ago, I had other family members around. Now I live alone with Buddy and trying to do ANYTHING by myself is difficult. If I even try to watch TV by myself, and he is in his cage, he looks at me like "...don't even THINK of sitting down without me.."

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I mean, I haven't take a pee, crap or shower in peace in over seven years (unless its after I put him to bed).

I'm starting to discover that now.

Although I had a Cockatoo many years ago, I had other family members around. Now I live alone with Buddy and trying to do ANYTHING by myself is difficult. If I even try to watch TV by myself, and he is in his cage, he looks at me like "...don't even THINK of sitting down without me.."

It wouldn't be so awkward if not for the fact that when I go pee, Skittles sits on the shower rod and "watches" me. He'll tilt his head looking down and stick his tongue out and wag it (which he does whenever he sees fluid pouring). Despite how uncomfortably awkward it obviously is, its also freaking hilarious.

I do agree with others observations of the OPs post. That is one heck of a story and a very great way of storytelling! Scary but loved that it had a happy ending!

 

[DiscoDuck]

hahaha.. proof the internet does not make you smarter!