Scared to Death... but all is okay now

[MaiasMom]

Gracie flew away tonight. I have a deck off of my dining room on the back of my row home. It is one story off the ground. I made a terrible mistake and took Gracie outside tonight. I do not know why she flew, if she was scared, startled or what. I watched as my baby just took off. My house has a yard and the yard butts up against the yards of the houses behind me that are one street over. She just soared across my yard and the neighbors yards. I stuffed Maia in Gracie's cage, made sure the dogs couldn't get out of the house and took off out the front door, down the street, around the corner, down that street and around the corner to the street behind my house. I saw two girls and asked them to please go into their yards and see if they could see her. On the end of the row of houses is a duplex apartment, thank god the gate was open, I let myself in and looked for her. The trees in the yards of these houses are taller than the houses (three story houses). All I could think of was she is up in a tree or she flew out of here and is someplace else. I called her name, said, Hello?? Hello?? Nothing, I said Pretty Girl and she squawked. It was coming from where this yard ran along side of houses that are between my street and the street behind me... well the yards are very overgrown and GREEN and Gracie is GREEN. I kept saying Pretty Girl, Pretty Girl and she squawked again. I moved some of the foliage and I saw her on the fence. I got closer and let me tell you it was hard to see her as she blended right in, thank god for the red on her head. I grabbed her and held her close to my chest with both hands and walked home.

I didn't get upset or scared until I got her home. I can't believe I kept my head on straight and found her. Once I got in it all came crashing in as to what could have happened. I haven't moved out of this chair since I got home. Sucked the life out of me. Talk about scary.

She was out in John's yard for three days last weekend and never moved off of her tree. But he lives in rancher so we are ground level on his deck. If she flew she would have headed to the ground. At my house we are one story up so she was able to soar down. She got pretty far. Thank God she didn't take off again. Thank god there were no cats or dogs or hawks, yes we have hawks in Philadelphia. I screwed up bad tonight. And the worst part is I know better. I have never taken her out there before nor Maia.

I am going to try to get her to use a harness, if she won't accept it, she can't go out.

I have been beating myself up over this all night. I KNOW better. I put them in travel cages to take them to the car. Thank God I found her, I would have never forgiven myself.

Beth

[Poohsbirds97]

So glad you found her so quick. Now you can take a deep breath and relax a little. Glad she is safe.

[Freedomoflight]

Oh man I would have had a heart attack. Good for you on keeping your cool. Glad Gracie is back home safe and sound!

[Icednova625]

Lot better of an ending that it could of been. I'm glad you got her back, probably learned a lesson too.

[limpyduckling]

I would just die if my african grey would take off. By the way we have a yorkie named Gracie

[Ina246]

I am so happy to hear about the quick rescue of your little Gracie. We all make mistakes you shouldn't beat yourself up unless you dont learn from it, and clearly you have already. I hope she likes her incoming harness. We are going to try and teach Jezz to let us put her in one.

[budgzie]

Its good that up found her! I wouldn't have any hope at all if Bullie got away, He's not finger trained!

[budgzie]

Originally Posted by budgzie

Its good that up found her! I wouldn't have any hope at all if Bullie got away, He's not finger trained!

woops I wroe its good that up found her I ment you found her

[macawlover]

Wow, what a night! I'm glad you were able to find Gracie quickly! Like Ina246 said, don't beat yourself up about it. We all make mistakes, and learn from them. :)

[Buteo]

As an owner of another FID named Gracie, this was a heart stopper. I'm so relieved that you got her back.
Don't beat on yourself too much- remember droppings happen.

Our Grace has her full flight feathers and it's a bit of worry for us. However, with her bad foot, the extra full lift or thrust of her wings is sometimes needed for her to catch her balance when moving around.

We take our WCP outside with us, but she ALWAYS has her flightsuit & leash on when we do.
My biggest fear is that one of these times while she is unsuited, she will fly from her cage in the Rec-room, though the Laundry room and out the back door while one of the dogs is being let in or out.