Introducing Sadie

[smile_n_cuddle]

I got Sadie (formerly Chip) yesterday. She has a few particular rules before I get into more details.

1. Nothing needs to be done that cannot be done from Mommy's shoulder. This includes eating. If Mommy is desperate enough, she will hold the cup to me and I will eat from here.

2. I know I am missing feathers on my face. Don't ask.

3. I only like the yellow pellets, thankssomuch.

4. Do not clip my wings. Don't even think about filing my nails. Neither of these may be completed from Mommy's shoulder, therefore they are unnecessary.

5. I know I smell. Deal with it.

6. Please pet me all over. Scritch my head, under my wings, my neck, my tummy. I love you I love you I love you!!!


So, back to Sadie. Somebody truly loved this bird. She is eight years old. A year and a half ago the gentleman's wife of 25 years left him, taking the macaws, the mollucan, etc. She left Chip/Sadie with the man, who is in his 70s and legally blind. Sadie has not been out of her cage since then.

Her diet has been cake and sunflower seeds. When I went last Sunday to visit her, the water was a week old. Yesterday when I went, there was none. :(

And oh the smell. The smell. It's awful. I gave her a good shower last night, even using some organic shea butter soap. She's still dirty, and the smell won't go away... It's nauseating. :(

Good grief... he took the cover off of her cage to fold it up. No fewer than TWENTY COCKROACHES dropped from the blanket. I actually think they crawled on her, which is why she is so itchy and pulling out her feathers. She does not appear to be neurotic in the slightest. Her cage is completely rusted out. I'm surprised she doesn't have zinc poisoning!

So, I picked her up. The old gentleman just sobbed. I felt so, so sorry for him. He said, "Goodbye, Chip! I'm so sorry!" And I know he was. He said he'd had birds his whole life. He has a cockatiel and a parakeet left (both in good feather).

On the drive home I let her out of the travel cage I brought. She darted out and raced to my shoulder. "This is my spot, thankssomuch." I showed her some new toys I'd gotten. She was fearful at first, but after a few moments played with all of them as I offered them. She is very trusting--not afraid of hands, not too afraid of new things. This is how I know she had an excellent upbringing. She reminds me of Sophia in her trust for others.

Oh, she also absent-mindedly lifts her foot when I walk by--like Sophia. "Mom's here. She'll pick me up."

We got home and showered first thing. She didn't know what to make of the shower, and initially hated the water. I tried to get her into it by singing and dancing... no such luck. By then, though, she was pretty wet. I dabbed a little soap on her wings--that's when she settled down. It seemed very soothing to her. Then we got out, and I towel-dried her without any problem at all. I turned on the blow drier, not a big fan. I put it on the ground facing her direction and after a while she stood in the wind because it was nice and warm :)

Then it was bedtime. Not a peep from her, not a sound. All night, no problems. N was over, and I thought for sure when she heard us up this morning she'd start screaming. Nope!! Not a screamer, not a biter, just a lover, this one.

I'm so happy to have her. My little plucked chicken-girl :)

Comments

[sillygoosegirl.livejournal.com]

She's a cutie! Her feathers are going to come back with some love, nutrition, and good hygiene, right?

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

I think so. Honestly, I think the plucking is from bug infestation and incessant itching, and possibly from lack of stimulation, although I'm surprised b/c that would cause obsessive/neurotic picking. I haven't seen her "neurotically" preen or pluck herself at all today, after her shower last night. On the way home she was itching a lot though.

Also--I'd be happy to answer questions re: business stuff. Is it easier to call or IM?

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

OMG, plucked chicken-too adorableness. And poor baby! I'm so glad that she's somewhere safe now. I'm sure that she will ease up on the plucking after receiving proper care for a bit, maybe even stop altogether. Maybe your vet will find something easy which will help reduce the plucking as well.

How _did_ she manage to pluck her face?! 0_o

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

She seems soooo happy. She's all smiles today (see pic #2? OMG 'too smiles... so precious!).

You can't see it in the picture, but there are a lot of little black dots on her face and plucked shoulder area/stomach. Almost like what you see in cats and dogs that have fleas--like droppings? It's where the feather "holes" are... and I'm wondering if the roaches or some other bugs weren't feeding on her skin/feathers.

I really thought her preening would be neurotic. Sophie's was, honestly. But Sadie hasn't overpreened or plucked once today. I think it was from itchiness.

I may stop in and say hey to Dr. Clubb tomorrow morning or call for an appt sometime next week. My biggest concern is some sort of bug thing going on. I'm so serious, the cockroaches just dropped from her little cage covering. There were so many of them. :(

I put some aloe on her wounds too, and she just sits so still and thankful while I put it on... Poor little baby.

OMG, Summer, and she CRIES! When something startles her, she dives into my neck and cries like a baby 'too! She's SUCH a sweet, sweet baby! I'm not sure I could have found a "better" rescue. No biting, no screaming... Our only issue is the shoulder thing, but we'll figure it out. :)

[summer-jackel.livejournal.com]

Oh, the sweet little thing. EWWWWWWWWW about the bugs. :( Still, if the plucking isn't behavioral, well, I think it is easier to get rid of external parasites than change ingrained plucking behavior. I bet you have a much less naked bird soon.

She sounds really wonderful and perfect. I am so glad that you two have each other! <3

You might want to extinguish the shoulder thing by not allowing her there unless you specifically put her there, and only then if she is easy to remove. Osbick's first act upon sitting on my arm for the first time was to run for the shoulder....not likely, bird! He now knows that he's not permitted there, and is becoming a lot more comfortable being held, so he doesn't try anymore. He will never be a shoulder bird...last nigt, he was sitting on my knee while I was drawing in bed, he got a little nervy, and reached up and bit me very lightly on the chin. It wasn't agressive and I'm not completely convinced it wasn't affectionate, but he did leave a tiny cut. That guy is not allowed anywhere near my face.

Kaya, on the other hand, is currently on my shoulder, very gently licking my cheek. Awww, I think.

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

Awww for sure, Keya licking your cheek :)

I'll try to prevent her from going on my shoulder. It seems to be a reaction to new situations--she'll dive into my neck and cry for cuddles if something startles her.

I gotta give her former owners credit--a lot of credit. I haven't seen her overpreen (bloody feathers/split feathers) or even pluck at all. Even Sophie did that overpreening thing.

[jourdannex.livejournal.com]

Oh my Miss Sadie....oh Jen. She's adorable. With some love and good diet, I think she will bounce back, because her face...she doesn't look all scared like some rescues. You know that fearful look? She is open to you. I can't wait to hear more about her. Poor little chicken-girl with buggies and cover on her cage...that poor man, I know he was just doing the best he could...I am glad he knew that giving her up (for a price though, but at least you have her!) was the right thing to do.

Oh the cries...oh I remember them.

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

You are so right--she's all smiles, and her temperament... she was very loved, and raised so well. I have to give them so much credit.

She adores everyone she meets. She loves my roommate, our neighbors... lol. Very secure. I'm so impressed. :)

But her expressions are priceless. Not at all that fearful, injured spirit one finds in most rescues.

[random11.livejournal.com]

ohhh the poor baby... She seems quite smiley for have so many missing feathers.. But I guess that is good. Happiness heals faster.. When I come.. what kind of special treats can I bring? Any special nuts? Let me know.. Miss you!

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

She is very smiley!!! All smiles, actually, and hasn't yet met a stranger! She loves my roommate, our neighbor... She doesn't have that broken spirit quality so common in rescues. She's just... naked as can be.

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

Oh, special treats... don't know yet! Maybe almonds in the shell? :)

I was going to call you today and tell you you had a new goddaughter! When can you come by???

[random11.livejournal.com]

This weekend I have to get exams graded.. But after that almost anynight... Kids are done wed.. I'm done Friday.

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

Yay for you!! OK--call me :)

[random11.livejournal.com]

Ok.. Where do I find almonds in shells? Whole foods didn't have them? Suggestions?

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

No clue! I always stacked up at Christmas. :P

I bet she'd like raw peanuts too ;)

[cathubodva.livejournal.com]

She is so beautiful.

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

Thanks!!

I think so too! :D

[axl12.livejournal.com]

can the feathers grow again?

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

Yep, hopefully!

[smldada9801.livejournal.com]

She's a cutie for sure! Love the inquisitiveness you can just see sparkling from her.

Can't wait to watch her blossom as she gets to know you.

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

She's crying right now. :( I think she misses her daddy :(

[sophiedoph.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

[schnuckypuss.livejournal.com]

Congrats on your new rescue baby!