Welcome To My Homepage! 

 I  My Budgie

I  My 2 Cockatiels

I  My Jandaya Conure

I  My Mollucan Cockatoo

I LVE ANIMALS!

***NEW Pics Added in "My Diary" 06/28/2007***

(I enjoy getting your comments and suggestions!)

A little About Me!

Hi!  My name is Sarah, I'm 33 years old and I live in Maine.  My husband and I each have 15 year old sons.  We currently have one "big-old-baby" 13yr old dog (named Zack RIP 3/31/2007), a 6yr old goldfish, a cat named Beau-Boy (french for Beautiful Boy), a black Cocker Spaniel (named Sammy)  as well as 1 parakeet/budgie (named Micky), 2 cockatiels (Birdie-Mack & Walker), a Jandaya Conure (named Baby), and a Mollucan Cockatoo (named Jasper)! 

  A Dedication For Macky

This Is The Story

On Mother's Day my husband surprised me with a precious gift.  It was a little parakeet/budgie we named Macky.  He was so adorable and only a couple months old.  He was tame within a couple of weeks.  He had so much personality for such a little thing.  He was not scared of anybody and loved attention.  His favorite place to perch was on your shoulder.  He loved to clean "people feathers" and would straighten out your eyebrows.  My husband had a special bond with him too.  Macky would always want to perch on his nose.  It was too funny.  Macky had a white swing that he loved to sit on.  He enjoyed looking out the window and talking to the birds outside.  He made the cutest sounds and had the sweetest temperment ever.

 This Was His First Day In Our Home!

The picture on the bottom right shows him dozing off

Just Checking Himself Out

Macky Enjoying His Backyard View And Cage Top

          Macky Fixing My Husbands Hair                                 New Feathers Are Itchy!

Here You See Macky Perched On My Husbands Nose   

One day, Macky was roaming free in my bedroom.  My dog was outside and I went to let him in.  I thought I closed the door tight enough.  My dog (who is a goofball) by instinct only, got to Macky.  My dog knew right away he did wrong.  I can't describe how devistated I was.  I rushed Macky to our vet knowing things didn't look hopeful.  I was right, and I had to put Macky to sleep.  I cried a river. The guilt will be part of me forever.  I just beg anyone who has birds with other pets to be EXTRA careful!  I do not want anybody to go through what I had to with Macky. 

We miss Macky dearly.  We had Macky for only 2 months.  We are greatful to him for giving us so much joy during our difficult loss. That same evening my son and I burried him in our back-yard with his favorite white swing.  We also decorated his grave. 

Our hearts were broken .  We could not bare to look at an empty cage so my husband went out that night and got us another budgie.  I am enjoying her so much! She is so unique and special, and she has helped to mend our broken hearts.   

 ***I Am MICKY***

             This is my first day home.  I was growing in some new head feathers!

I thought I would give this bath tub a try! 

Maybe Not!

There's A Lot Of Cool Places To Perch Here!

I had alot of new feathers growing in at this time.

YIKES! I lost a "blood-feather"!  (on the left) It has grown back now though!

YUMMY!

Micky Likes To Explore...Expecially when She Finds A Treat!

AGH! My husband has eViL eYes here....MICKY likes to perch on hats instead of noses (like Macky did).

(I have to mention that my husband does not like the way he looks in this picture  ....but I said "too bad", it's about the bird )

Mommy Bought Me A New Big Cage! I had Fun Exploring It!

10/06/05 Mommy Bought Me Manzanita Perches!  I Love To Perch On Them

....Isn't My Mommy Nice!

Mom took it upon herself to re-arange my home.  

I sat on my swing for over an hour before going back in my cage.  I guess I'll get used to it.   

I am trying to take a bath....but my mom always wants to take my picture! 

When I see her pointing that strange thing at me,

I always stop what I am doing and turn away from the camera!  

 WAIT UNTIL YOU READ THIS!!

Friday November 11th

My son had spent the previous night over a friends house.    I had the day off from work and planned to laze around and hang out with the pets.  (the hubby was at work)  My office is in the back of the house and it is also where my birds cage is.  My office has an arched space that leads to the living room.  I was enjoying watching Micky (the budgie) while she climbed out of her cage to perch on her favorite branches.  She is quite the character!.....

This is a picture of our dog Zakk

The following picture shows my office in the back, as wall as the arch-way.  I took this picture while standing by the door that we put our dog out at.  When you look through the opening past the couch, you can see the bird cage. That is where Micky was perching when I went to put my dog out.

My dog had to go out to "pee".  His chain is hooked right outside the front door.  All we do is open the door just enough for our hand to reach the chain, so that we can hook it to the dog, and then he is put outside.  I did this, which takes all but 5 seconds to complete. 

I walked back to my office and started to laugh because I couldn't see Micky anywhere.  I thought she was hiding somewhere behind one of my "piles of junk".  If she jumps off her cage onto the floor, she needs us to help her back up.  In a very short amount of time I KNEW she was no longer in my office and I started to panic.    After looking in every imagineable place I thought she could be, I remembered that my dog was outside...and WHAT IF Micky escaped! 

I continued to search in the house...upstairs, downstairs, in the basement, in the cupboards, under the stove, under the bed, in the toilet, under books, under blankets, on top, and in-between everything!  I was also searching for feathers, because I figured if she flew somewhere than surely there would be atleast one feather.   I even played Budgie sound files thinking she would chirp and respond.....NO LUCK  

My son came home from his friends house, and I told him what I had feared.  I couldn't fathom the idea that Micky flew over my head and out the door without me hearing OR seeing her.  It didn't make any sense....I thought for sure she was stuck somewhere in the house suffering.  My son thought if we let our dog in the house, that maybe he would automatically find her....NOPE....he just came in and layed down like usual. 

Zakk is atleast 12 years old.  We adopted him from the Humane Society 10 years ago.

UPDATE: Zakk Passed Away 3/31/2007

What the heck, we decided to go with the crazy idea that Micky was outside....and it gave us somewhere else to look.  Again, no luck!    At this time atleast 3 hours had gone by.  Tyler's friends had come over and they went to toss a football in our backyard.  I spent time searching online for help and support....of course I got the best comfort here at Fluffies!   Everyone helped me to keep my hopes up.

Another 1/2 hour passed and I got a knock on the door.  Evidently my son and his friends took our dog for a walk around the neighborhood.  One of my sons friends was at the door with my dog.  He said WE FOUND YOUR BIRD......  I hardly remember what I said, but I remember the joy I felt.  I quickly grabbed Micky's travel cage and basically shoved it into his hands, and said USE THIS!   

I spotted the boys (they are all young teenagers) about 1/4 mile away from the house.  I had to park my car and work my way across a road, over other peoples driveways and through somebodys backyard.  Then there was a section of trees, just like a forest.  It was very windy and cold.  I saw my son looking up into the tree and he said "MOM, SHE'S RIGHT THERE!"  I looked up and there she was....my "little lady Micky"...the budgie.    

She looked so pathetic, but free, yet scared and so independent, however she needed to get her little behind back home!  She was chirping and obviously shaken and scared.  She was puffed up and hanging on tight as wind tried to push her off the branches.  I could tell she felt some comfort that we were there to help her.  After some failed attempts on our part, Micky flew to another tree and eventually jumped onto my sons friends shoulder, and then walked right into her cage. 

My son (his name is Tyler & 13 at the time) explained to me that they were all going for a walk and he heard her chirping.  He said his friends didn't believe him, but HE KNEW it was our Micky.  He called her name and she would chirp.  I bet Micky was watching Tyler walk by.  My son followed her chirps and the rest is history.  WHAT ARE THE ODDS! 

Micky was so hungry, tired and weak. She occasionaly nibbled some food in between naps.  By morning she was back to herself, except she was doing alot of stretching.   

The very next day we got her wings clipped.  Her Vet was so amazed that she was found and survived!

I took a picture of Micky in her cage after she was rescued. 

***WE HAVE A NEW ADDITION***

 11/12/05  We  got a Cockatiel!

FIRST PICTURES!

While at work I stumbled upon an add in the classifieds.  An owner of a Cockatiel was looking for a home for their bird because they did not have time for him.  I couldn't bare the idea of knowing this bird needed a home.  I met the owner at her house.  She was a young mother who is doing her best and she realized that she couldn't give this bird the life she knew he deserved.  She had this Tiel for about 2 months, and she believes it is pretty young, so it should be fun raising him as my own. 

She had named him "Birdie-Mack", and I don't want to change his name if he is used to it.  (Besides, I think it is ironic how my late keets name was "Macky".   )   I have only had him for one day now and he already ate lettuce and carrots for me. 

I took this picture 11/14/05   

Micky absolutely adores her new friend.  Micky acts like she is his mother.  They are going to be the best of friends.  They act like they have known each other forever!  I have not allowed Birdie-Mack to leave his cage yet.  He already has mimicked my whistle!  I have let Micky on his cage and they talk to each other.  Birdie-Mack is enjoying his first time playing with toys and eating lots of food.  Micky and Birdie-Mack share their millet too.  VERY CUTE!

Here is a picture of Micky keeping an eye out for her new friend

11/15/2005 B-Mack met his Vet Doctor for his first check-up! 

The vet clipped his wings some more and also clipped his nails.  He said he looked very healthy and young.  I wish I knew his exact age.  B-Mack was so loud while waiting in the office.    It was funny, but it wound up the dogs and cats who were waiting patiently.  He didn't like getting his wings clipped and nipped the assistant, but she didn't mind.  I also saw him fly for the first time.  It's amazing how well they can still fly after having their wings clipped....just another reminder for me to pay attention!

***NEW PICS!*** Taken 11/15/2005 (before the vet visit)

I am so surprised how well the birds get along and so soon!  My keet looks so tiny compared to my tiel!

I layed underneath her to get the following shots because she hates to have the camera pointing directly at her...hehe 

Micky has been into chewing her perches. 

She would nibble off pieces of bark and then spit them out and watch them fall to the ground.

If you look closely you can see the piece of bark between her beak

NOW check out these pics of B-Mack's cage visitor!

Look how little Micky is compared to B-Mack!

PICTURES TAKEN 11/17/2005

Micky wanted B-Mack to venture out of his cage....She waited patiently!

Micky is teaching B-Mack to look away from the camera...

Here they are enjoying their toys!

ZOOooom....B-Mack figured out he didn't need me to get down!

B-Mack had a super day today.  I started training him to hop up on a "perch-stick" and he easily does it for me now.  I am saying "come-up".  He does NOT like fingers and wants to bite them.    He also is trying every food I give him.  So far he has eaten lettuce (I know to not over-do it ), carrots and snap peas.  I am going to wait a few days to see how he does with the digestion, before trying him on anything else.  I am so anxious but I don't want to make him sick either .   He also ventured out of his cage for a long time today.  He loves Micky to be near him. 

11/23/2005 Update

I have been enjoying my birds so much.  They make me so happy.  I am working on taming my tiel B-Mack.  He is doing very good!  He is stick-trained.  I can tell it will take a while for him to feel safe with fingers.  That's ok with me though!    My Tiel loves brocolli and sugar snap peas (he thinks the stringless taste best).  He also nibbles carrots and celery, and he wishes I gave him more lettuce.  I have also strung some Cherrios and he eats those right up!  My parakeet, Micky, has come to love fruit!  I think having another bird has sparked more "instict" in her as she has become so much more hyper-active.  She is my little dare-devil and acrobat.  Her favorites are red delicious apples, pears and peaches.  The two fids still get along very well.

PICTURES Taken 11/22/2005

They are playing on a toy ring I made for them.

The first picture shows Micky trying to help B-Mack wash up before he had a snack.

NOW, DO YOU THINK MY BIRDS ARE SPOILED?

This is a set of 3 hanging toys I made for them.  They like them all too...few!

B-Mack Loves to Play w/ The Keys...until he realizes I'm watching

The first picture below shows them out of their cages.  Micky prefers to be on B-Macks roof. 

The second picture shows B-Mack taking a nap. 

He slept for a while....I think it a good sign that he had fun with his toys!

Pictures Taken 11/28/2005

UPDATE:

Birdie-Mack and Micky are doing great! I'm still working with B-Mack to finger tame him.  He did manage to land on my finger when he jumped off a perch....but he would have missed his target, and I was the next best thing , but it is a step!

They like to play on the floor together....check out the pictures below:

(#1) "Come on Micky, Let's go play!"

(#2) "Micky always makes me wait...atleast she doesn't mind if I perch on her branch"

Here is another look into Micky's personality...

...............NEW PICTURES...............

Taken 12/08/2005

I get such a kick out of how my fids act together.  Micky the budgie is definately the boss!  She is in charge and Birdie-Mack the Cockatiel doesn't know any better....so for now he follows her lead. 

I have noticed the cutest behavior this past week.  B-Mack tilts his head down so that Micky can preen his itches away.  He will keep his head down whenever Micky is close to him.  He will occasionaly look up like this  to see if Micky is willing and then put his head back down.  I feel so sad when she doesn't itch for him!  B-Mack looks so cute when he does that.  He doesn't trust me to scratch his neck yet.

They even do "Syncronized Preening"

 Micky & Birdie-Mack SAY: "Come Back Soon For More Pictures and Stories!" 

You can also find updates and more pictures in "My Diary"!!  (SarahME)