We're getting to know this little guy in our household. His (we think he's a he) name is Stuart. He's just a baby, so it'll take a while before we're sure. Isn't he just adorable? Unless you're creeped out by birds, then, isn't he just so scary?
I've a long and partly sad history with birds. I loved them when I was a little girl. When I was 13 I got my first parakeet. He was given to me from my friend Cass, who didn't like him anymore. I felt sorry for his lonely existance and was so happy that my mom allowed me to bring him home. I LOVED Petey. He wasn't tame, and was getting up there in years, so I couldn't really touch him, but I still loved him. Of course we had to be careful because we had cats. So, my mom installed a new doorknob on my bedroom door, with a lock. Not because the cats could open doors, but because of a certain cute, punky, blonde little sister who would sneak into my room when I wasn't there. And who would never close the door behind her. But who could blame her. How could she remember such minute details when she had other things to worry about, like her growing collection of My Little Ponies, and catching up on her favorite episode of Jem.
Well, the rest is a sad cycle of Beth waiting for me to spend the night at a friend's house, picking the lock, exploring my room, getting into my nail polish, pouring the nail polish on my favorite duffel bag, and leaving the door open as she crept out. Of course I imagine her really 'creeping' out, all hunched over and on tip toes. So Petey died, as did Pickles, Blue, and Louie. Why didn't we get a better lock you ask? I don't know, let's ask my mom and see what she has to say for herself.
When I was in college I finally got a new bird. His name was Hank, and he was my buddy. When my husband and I first started dating, he met Hank, and was totally freaked out. "He's going to land on my head!!" he'd say frantically when my little blue angel would fly around. Of course, Hank would land on his head, but he got used to it, and eventually loved Hank just as much as I did. When we got married we drove across the country from Oregon to Florida for my husband to go to flight school, all with Hank in the back seat. He was such a silly bird, and loved to sit in his cage wearing one of his bells on his head like a hat. One day when we were stationed in Oklahoma, I noticed that Hank wasn't feeling well. We took him to the vet, and were told he had a bit of a cold, and a tumor on his belly. We left so sad, and tried to make Hanks last weeks the best we could. I was heart broken...over this little silly blue parakeet, who liked to wear his bell as a hat, and who loved to sit on his own plate at dinner time, eating corn.
I wasn't planning on getting a new bird. I just happened to see this little guy at a pet store two weeks ago. He was making my girls and I laugh, as he hopped around with a feather in his mouth acting like a little punk. When we got home he stayed in my mind, and I told my husband all about him. Two days later, my husband said, "Let's go get your bird". So we made the hour long drive to the pet shop to see if he was still there. He was, and we brought him home. He's settled into my sewing room, and is still getting used to us, but is beginning to show his funny little personality.
Stuart is the most beautiful shade of aqua, he matches all of my favorite aqua fabrics! So that's a good sign right? Now I'm choosing fabrics to sew him a new cage cover.
Does anyone have any good bird stories? I'd love to hear them, even if you think birds are creepy. :) x
p.s. I love you Beth! I'll just be sure to install some better locks when you come to visit...xoxo