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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
| 1st time parrot (Amazon) owner nice little rescue story |
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Hello everyone! I'm happy to finally find a forum that talks about all breeds and not just one.
Here's my story. I have wanted a parrot for many years and did, what seemed like endless research. During my reasearch, I started searching cockatoos and came across the google site, lots of info but very determined to change peoples minds about toos. So, I moved on 
Anyway, I mentioned to some of the girls at work how I've always wanted a parrot, still unsure as to what breed but educated enough, now, to acquire just about anything and determined enough for anything. I WAS READY! One of the girls said she had a Yellow Naped Amazon, whom she loved very much but didn't have the time she knew her amazon needed. She didn't want to just give her to anyone either but also was very excited to hear that I wanted a parrot  Here was her situation, she lives with her boyfriend who liked the bird but also didn't want the bird living with them, so the bird stayed at her mom and dad's. She visited her daily but had horses, nursing school and a job, so very little time. The bird, Chaquita, was in the basement, although finished and very usable space, was chilly, dark and secluded. She had little out of cage time. Chaquita used to do a lot of things but due to the lack of attention, stopped enjoying the things she enjoyed at one time.
I've learned that she is approximately 26 years old and was a wild caught bird when it was still legal to purchase these kinds of birds. She does have quite a history and some quite traumatic. Of course once being wild and free to roam the land...... then captured  from there I'm not too sure. I do know she came from a local pet store that had other birds and the pet store caught fire and she was one of few survivors and had a hard time dealing with her losses calling out the names of the others when it rained. Why when it rains you ask? From the fire trucks hosing the pet store to put out the flames.
She then got adopted by a family. Not too sure about that family but do know that when she would squock the mother would, full stream her with a squirt bottle. Yeah, something she is supposed to enjoy she now fears to death! I will NEVER aim a squirt bottle at her again! To cause her that kind of fear would break my heart.
The son of this family ended up with her and he got a girlfriend ( the girl I aquired Chaquita from). The girlfriend, my co-worker, then took her when they split up and she had Chaquita for about 11 years and had many happy years with her till she needed to pursue a career.
Thank GOD she loved her enough to set her free to me. Mind you, my friend (and co-worker) is a great person and loves her animals and always keeps her animals till their old and gone and that is what made it so difficult for her to get rid of her. She cried when I took her home but knew it was in the best interest of Chaquita.
I've now had Chaquita for 3 weeks and she is loving her new life! In just 3 weeks she went from perch step-up to hand step-up, she calls my husbands name "Walt! Hey Walt!" or "Hurry up!" She sings to me, talks to me, I've had her in the shower, I scratch her head, pet her, physically pick her up and flip her over (this is a new thing we're working on) She hates men but is very fascinated in my husband but loves him at a distance. Although she'll take treats from him and gets very excited when he comes home or leaves and calls his name.
I would have thought it would take months to get used to us but am very pleased with the 3 week progress!!! I am anticipating our future together! I never thought she would be so pleased with us. Our bond is great and there are no signs of depression from her last family.
I appologise for taking up so much space but I thought everyone would enjoy hearing such a beautiful rescue story from a bird with such a painful history. This is dedicated to Chaquita  |
Wednesday June 29, 2005 6:59 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7405
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Hi Chaquita's Mom, welcome to this forum  Wow, that really is a beautiful rescue story. Chaquita is so lucky to have found you and at last have some stablity in his life. Well done! I hope you, your husband, and Chaquita live a long and happy life together.
Please post some pictures of Chaquita so we can see how beautiful she is 
Do you have any other pets? Do you think you'll ever get another bird?
I hope you enjoy your time on this forum |
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Wednesday June 29, 2005 7:46 pm |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
Shirin, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed my story or should I say Chaquita's story.
I do in fact have 3 other pets, one new kitten and 2 ferrets. And yes, I monitor all playtime activities knowing that one could injure the other. The ferrets are in fact caged at all times till their 45 minute playtime daily. Ferrets sleep on average 19-20 hours a day and after 45 minutes they're tuckered out.
I don't see another bird in my future. She will be an only child (bird) enjoying her family as her flock. I wouldn't want her to feel as if she has to compete for my attention or possibly become jealous. Our relationship is too perfect to risk bringing in another bird.
In just the few weeks I've had her her feathers look beautiful. When I first got her, her feathers seemed somewhat chewed and sepperated and not groomed very nicely. Now, you wouldn't even be able to tell that she is close to 30! She's just so beautiful! |
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Wednesday June 29, 2005 8:09 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7405
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Ferrets sleep 19-20 hours a day?!?! Wow I didn't know that! Are they really playful when they're awake? Are they affectionate at all?
A new kitten? How cute! i love kittens! But I'm too scared to have one, cuz I'd constantly worry about my birds when I'm not home. I'm just paranoid like that 
Chaquita sounds absolutely beautiful It's so nice to hear a story with such a happy ending. My African Grey was also chewing his tail feathers when he first came to live with me, but now they're all growing back beautifully |
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Wednesday June 29, 2005 8:27 pm |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
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Hello again Shirin. Yes, ferrets do sleep that long. They get up long enough to eat, drink and poop and play with each other and their toys. They are actually pretty low maintanence. Very mischevious and just a joy to watch and play with. If you want an animal that can make you laugh out loud, a ferret is it! My female, Jazzy, loves to give kisses. Just me though. As far as them being lap pets, their too active for that. If you get one, you need 2. Watching them play together is just histerical. I think once they get older they would enjoy snuggling up on your lap. Mine are about 2 1/2 years old and they live about as long as a cat, around 10 years.
My kitten now, he's about 9 weeks old. I'm hoping he developes a respect for the bird. He doesn't seem interrested in Chaquita so that's a plus and he isn't destructive.......yet. Keyword. If Chaquita is on the floor, I am with her and I will not let the kitten interract or I will take Chaquita to another room where the kitten cant get in. Otherwise Chaquita is on her perch or in her cage where the kitten cant reach.
I checked out your diary and that is just awesome that you have an african grey! That was my ideal bird if I was to purchase one. I'm so happy for you. Bunny looks like a very active member of your family. It's such a shame that people like to get these awesome animals just to say they have one and let their delicate lives go to waste. It would be like having a child and locking them up behind bars and expecting them to behave. Maybe for a parakeet or a little finch or something, but not a parrot. They are people behind feathers wanting to give and receive love from the people around them. |
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Wednesday June 29, 2005 9:13 pm |
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fionam
Moderator
Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Posts: 1757
Location: Surrey, UK |
Hi Chiquita's Mom...
I just love your rescue of your bird... Although I suppose that it is not a true rescue as her owner knew what she had to do...
Your bird sounds terrific.... and the rest of your animals...
I adore this site and I hope that you enjoy it as well...
Regards
Fi |
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Wednesday June 29, 2005 9:25 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Hi Chaquita's mom
Welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy your time here with us.
Thanks for sharing Chaquita's story with us. It's nice to hear story with happy ending. I'm glad that Chaquita is adjusting life with you very well and that she's come such a long way in three weeks!! So awesome to hear. Does your friend come to visit Chaquita at your place? I'm just wondering how that would go for the bird if she did come to visit her. I hope that it isn't too stressful for Chaquita to her previous owner again.
Cheers
Bih |
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Thursday June 30, 2005 5:01 am |
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Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
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| Re: 1st time parrot (Amazon) owner nice little rescue story |
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Hi Chaquita's mom!
Welcome to this forum.. So glad you could join us!
Did you see that you can also make Chaquita her own homepage?
Please go here to find out how: http://www.fluffies.org/en/viewforum.php?f=32
Wonderful to hear that you did so much research before making a decision. I didn't do that with my first bird.. 
What a sad story about Chaquita.. But it does have a happy ending now she lives with you!
I can't believe she associated rain with the water needed to put out the fire.. It's so touching..
I think the progress you already made with her is amazing! What a bird Chaquita is!
Please keep us updated everytime you make progress, as we'd love to hear about it.. And please don't worry about the space.. You can take all the space you want he he he! |
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Thursday June 30, 2005 8:22 am |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
hello Cheeta and Administrator! Thank you for the warm welcome! To answer your question, cheeta, about her previous owner coming to visit. That was one of the things that was requested of me upon taking Chaquita, her being able to visit and if Chaquita didn't work out she was to go back to her. She hasn't come to visit her yet though. I am a bit nervous about it. Chaquita could be happy to see her and all will be fine. Or, she could rebel against her due to lack of attention that she got. But there is also MY relationship with Chaquita, she could get upset with me. Birds seem to be super sensative to these kinds of things, so I've heard throughout my research. So I'm a bit nervous I'm also nervous for her previous owner. If Chaquita rebels against her, that could break her heart
I'll keep you posted though. And Administrator, I'm a bit of an airhead when it comes to posting pictures but I'll definately give it a try |
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Thursday June 30, 2005 1:54 pm |
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Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
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Hi Chaquita's mom!
Don't talk like that.. Really, it's very easy to do.. As that's what I've tried to make it for.. For anyone.. Not just the computer geeks.. (Is that the right word?) |
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Friday July 1, 2005 6:37 am |
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Tia
Fledgeling
Joined: 13 May 2005
Posts: 319
Location: Illinois |
Hi Chaquitas mom...hope you enjoy your time on this board, it is alot of fun and very addicting!
I am so glad to hear that your new addition is taking so well to her new home she was so ready for some attention! Do keep us posted on the news at home, I am sure you will have alot to share with your lil zoo! And yes we would love to see pictures! |
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Friday July 1, 2005 6:56 am |
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dim1g
Flutterer
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
Posts: 126
Location: Chicago |
| welcome! |
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what a wonderful rescue. so nice to know that another bird that was stuck in a cage will get to see light and love! this forum is awesome and you definitely fit in. i too am looking forward to pictures. (totally-on-the-side: Chaquita is a nickname of a longtime good friend for me, so i can't help but love the name too!)
that is not only the way that i acquired my CAG, Sake (full name Socrates), but also the giving of an animal by an owner that knew that i would do better by him was how i acquired one of my beloved horses (Ace is doing great and loving the freedom in the pasture in his retirement in Wisconsin, for all that know the story). so i can empathize a lot with how glad you must feel with every happy chirp. thanks for telling us about Chaquita and all the best for a lovely future together!
dim |
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Saturday July 2, 2005 12:17 pm |
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