Charlie, Festive Amazon, ROAD TRIP to new home!

[lisark]

Charlie is finally home!

My friend Jen and I made the journey to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to meet Charlie for the first time. His owners Jen and Ron invited his previous owner, 90-year-old Leona, over for supper with all of us, so it was sort of like a big family reunion. Leona enjoyed being at her old house very much and said several times she was happy to know me and happy to know Charlie was coming home with me. It felt strange...sad, to know this little elderly lady had lost her home of 54 years, and her bird (the only connection to her family, now all dead and gone). At the same time though I felt happy, because Leona seemed to relieved to meet me and actually like me. We had a wonderful supper together.

Then that night Jen and I went to camp out at Shubie Campground in Dartmouth...interesting experience. I have never had to pay 50 cents for 7 minutes worth of shower before! Seriously, the showers were coin-operated just like a laundromat! Too funny.

The next day we got to do a bunch of shopping and had a grand old time spending lots of money. This trip was amazing for us...keep in mind that where we live, the closest shopping is Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire, and those stores are 2 hours away. So to be able to hit the MicMac Mall and Costco and a few different pet stores was just heaven!

After we finished our shopping we returned to pick up Charlie for the drive home. We loaded him into my van behind the passenger seat and set off for North Sydney. For the first part of the drive Jen and I were talking so the radio wasn't on. Charlie was absolutely silent for the first part of the drive. After a while, though, we turned on the radio and Charlie immediately started dancing and talking up a storm. It was the cutest thing you ever saw. He seemed to be interested in the big trucks passing us. We arrived in North Sydney at around 9:00--the ferry was delayed and we didn't end up boarding until 4:30 a.m. which wasn't that great. Poor Charlie was trying so hard to get some rest but kept getting disturbed by us getting in and out to go to the washrooms, people walking by with their dogs, etc. Poor baby.

Anyway, we're home now and we've spent most of today just resting. Charlie has told my husband hello, has enjoyed some nice fresh veggies and my homemade legume mix, has barked like a dog when he saw my dogs going in and out, and has met Rocky my Hahn's Macaw and Ollie the crow through the bars of the cage. He seems relaxed--we put his old cage next to his new cage and he even went exploring on top of his new cage, which I thought was awesome progress for his first day around all these new things!

He lets me touch him on his beak and head and I think that soon he will step up onto my arm. He is walking to the edge of the cage and leaning over but seems to chicken out right at the last minute when it comes to stepping up. That's ok. I am going to let him progress at his own pace and I'm starting clicker training with him in the next day or two. He's ready--he's an absolute pig for food and has no problem being very close to me and interacting.

I love him already and I can't wait to see what the future will bring.

Did I mention...in case you didn't know...Charlie is 44 years old! I am his fourth and I hope his last owner. I'll be his last owner unless he outlives me.

[Tom Lawless]

What a great story. Charlie looks like he is settling right in. He is a good looking bird. He's holding up better than me. We're about the same age but he still has all his feathers.

Two hours drive to Walmart? I used to think I grew up in the country. I have to revisit that definition.

Congratulations. Good luck. Have fun.

[Icednova625]

Awesome story, glad all went well and charlie is finally home! Sounds like he will have no problems at all adapting to his new home. He is such a cutie!

[becca623]

What an amazing story and a handsome guy! No one would guess that he's 44. He could easily pass for decades younger. How wonderful that you were willing to open your home and your heart to an "older" guy in need of a new home. May you have many, many more years together. Best of luck!
Rebecca

[Spangle]

Good luck Charlie! I have been reading about Charlie in the birdclick yahoo group (clicker training) - am so happy he is settling in ok!

[pippy]

Awww what a heart-warming story this is! Best of luck to you all!

[ndeben]

AAAAWwwwwwwww a love story!

[lisark]

He let me pet him!!! I can't believe it!!!

[Andrea]

Really enjoyed the photos you submitted...Charlie is a beautiful bird and am sure that he will live up to his species name under your care. Festives are not so common and I hope you will continue to keep us updated (and send pics too!) Am looking for the previous posts that will tell how you 2 were brought together.
Andrea (Florida)

[Ina246]

I have been waiting for this post. I kept telling DH "Charlie should be home soon". He is so tired of hearing it. Charlie looks so happy. What a great thing that the old owner approves, it must make you feel great. It looks like you didnt have to wait 4 months like some of us, you are so LUCKY. Good luck with your new baby, keep us posted.