Anniversary... MY *Christmas* Story (long)

[Monica]

It was December 22nd, and the household was busy preparing for the 25th. The house consisted of a mother, and her two daughters, age 13 and 16. At the time they owned a few budgies, a cockatiel, and a cat that lived elsewhere. The cockatiel was in the east room while the budgies sat near the door in the living room. The family heard a knock on the door, and the littlest of the girls answered the door. A stranger was at the door with a box of food. The family welcomed her in and introduced herself as Robin. Robin came by to drop off a box of food for the family for the holidays and was about to be on her way out when she noticed the little budgies near the door.

Robin thought that the little budgies were really cute, so the little girl went to go get Casey, the cockatiel. Robin had thought that Casey was precious, so decided to ask the family if they wanted another bird. She went on the say that she has had the bird for about 5 years, a friend of hers brought the bird to her, from the vets office, and that before she got this bird, the bird was attacked by the ferret and the current owners then could not pay for the vet bills. She included that this bird was either a mitred or a cherry head, she had named the bird Noel, and that Noel use to have a cockatiel friend until her boyfriend had moved away and took the cockatiel with him. Robin noted that she had gotten Noel on her shoulder before, but that Noel was not a very friendly bird.

The story goes that Robin was moving shortly into a new home, and had far too many cats and dogs to take Noel with her, so she had to give Noel up. She had asked the family, and they accepted. After two trips, Robin had gone back home, grabbed Noel in her cage, with supplies in a basket (whicker trashcan with plastic lining), and the stand. After dropping Noel off, she stayed for only a short while and left again.

The first thing that the family noticed was that Noel mutilated her stomach, her cage was filthy, and that she only had manzanita perches, which took up space just 10 inches off the floor of the cage, which all were at the same level to begin with, she had one rope toy that she could not reach, and was on a sunflower based diet. As far as the supplies went, there was a fake finger used to get her to step up so that the bites wouldn't hurt as much, and some apple bitter spray that was not useful in the least bit. After only a few days, the family realized that this bird was also a screamer, and if she chose to bite, she would make the person who tried to hold her bleed.

The first thing Casey noticed was a new bird and she wanted to hang out with this new bird, but the family was afraid that Casey would get hurt because Noel would injure her in some way. Needless to say, with a lot of persistence, Noel and Casey became cage buddies, and the little girl formed a special bond with Noel. They’ve all come a far ways since then!

Today, December 22, 2005, is the four-year anniversary of Noel coming to live with the family. That little girl that had helped Noel so much (as Noel had helped her in her own special way) is now 17. The family has moved, the older daughter is now married and is back with the family (she and her husband were married in the husbands home country, New Zealand, and both are now back with the family). Noel and Casey are currently living cage-free on a stand that takes up 9' x 2' of space, and both enjoy going outside to the apple tree on good days when its not too windy, and during warm showers. Within the year of 2005, Noel has only had only a few minor incidents of destroying her stomach and Noel remains unable to fly from the time of the ferret attack, and although is not very human orientated, she enjoys the occasional head scratch and kisses!!!

Noel is my love, and my special “Christmas Angel”, even if she was not a Christmas Present! The name itself means ‘Christmas’ in French, and refers to the birth of Christ. Noel is indeed, in her own way, a ‘Christmas’ type of bird, and after all, she was named after this special holiday! Although I may not be in any holiday mood (especially since I’m sick), I’m glad to have this little “Angel” still with me!

[Graehstone]

Aww Monica, that was lovely. Thanks so much for allowing us to peek into your life for a bit. Many hugs coming your way and lots of scritches for your sweeties.

[LMPego]

That was so sweet, Monica. Thank you for sharing.

[Alika]

Awww! Happy anniversary to all of you!

[TooLover]

Monica - that was beautiful!

[Monica]

Glad you all enjoyed it!

[Tiki]

Happy Anniversary to you and Noel!

[kp_in_scott]

Oh, Monica! Noel definately IS a Christmas "gift"! Look at her, she's beautiful and so festive in her Christmas colors.

[Stizby]

I had not heard before how Noel came into your life. I enjoyed your tale immensely. Thanks for shariing!

By the way, I really like your new avatar. It is very pretty!

[Monica]

Glad everyone has enjoyed it! Noel did come to us in a pretty pitiful state, and we were not even closely prepaired for such a 'problem child'. Well, we were able to all pull through and we're still 'alive and kicking'!

I like the avatar too! It's just so pretty! But whenever I see your avatar Stizby, I think about a trip I had taken to S.F. back when I was in 5th grade, and the time I was in S.F. and managed to go see the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill! I wish though that Noel could have seen them too, but I wouldn't want to depress her in any way either...