Happy Mother's Day EARLY!

[RhondaR]

As of yesterday Billy has been a member of my family 10 days shy of 27 months. When I first saw him he broke my heart and captured it in the same moment. I'd followed a man alongside the overgrown weeds in the 2 feet between his garage and his fence to get to the area behind his house. I'd balanced across planks set in mud to get to this cage set well away from the house. It was covered by a tarp black with mold and one side was flipped up so I could see the bird inside. I swear, in this birds eyes I saw a trapped child in a concentration camp. There was 1 wooden perch, a clay bowl, black with algae and water, and nothing else. No toys, nothing soft, his world was dark and baren. He'd been in there for 8 years. I asked what he was fed as there were no feed dishes in site. This giant bird got fed every other night, some peanuts and some sunflower seeds. Occasionally some dog kibble. I was told he really liked it, because he ate it all. I talked softly to the bird, and he leaned toward me listening. I was captivated but eventually left with my husband and son in tow.

My husband looked at me and said, "What are you going to do?"

"Nothing." I replied, because I didn't see another option. This bird was so skinny and fearful that even if I did pay this man to save the bird from him, vet bills were going to be at least a thousand, I didn't even have a cage (the man offered me the one he was in,) and even if he lived I would be putting a very angry, very abused giant of a bird into a house with my family. That was much too dangerous, no way, no how. To make matters more impossible, I'd never owned a bird, let alone a parrot and this one was huge.

For the next three days I cried over the plight of this bird. I couldn't stop thinking about him. He broke my heart. Finally, my husband found me sobbing as I was on my treadmill... he smiled and said, "let's go get that damn bird." I got on the phone and talked the man down from $1000 to $600, found a place within an hours drive that I could buy a large cage from, and that night, he was in my house.

A vet visit (she comes here) confirmed that he only weighed 800g, and that his diet had nearly killed him. His liver enzymes were out of sight, cholesterol was horribly high as well... I learned that if he hadn't been taken from where he'd been, he wouldn't have lasted much longer.

At first if we were in the room he was a skinny statue, but after a few weeks he would move a bit about his cage when I was home alone. After awhile I opened his door and began leaving it open. On day 10 he came out of his cage. The first out of cage experience in over 8 years... it was amazing. A few months into our life with Billy I touched a toe while he was inside his cage holding on to the bars. He raced to the other side of the cage, and became very thin and still. It was almost 2 weeks before he'd begin moving about his cage again.

As time has past, I've made significant progress with my Attack Chicken. We take several steps backward for every step forward, but eventually those steps forward become accepted and safe. Where a touch on the toe sent him racing for safety, now he hangs on my pant legs when I walk past. I can gently stroke his head, back, feet and occasionally his chest. It's felt like a snails pace.

I get a complete blood panel done once a year for each of my birds... this year my vet's one comment was "GREAT!" He's perfectly healthy. He weighs about 1200g now and is well muscled from all of the time spent playing. I thought I couldn't be happier, but I am!

Yesterday I got my Mother's Day present early. Billy allowed me to do something I've only dreamed of. And, believe me, I've dreamed of it. It brings tears to my eyes... he wants the love so badly, but accepting it has been terrifying for him. I actually got to do this twice, because I needed a picture to remember the day by.

[The Outlaw]

Rhonda:

I'm all teary eyed. What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

[Graehstone]

Rhonda, blast you to bits and back, it’s because of stories like yours that the Kleenex industry will never go out of business.
And being one of those folks that immediately tear up when they just think about crying … well darlin’ ya did me in with this one.
Your analogy of a small child in a concentration camp couldn’t have been better put. There are so many things I would like to say and they are all inside me clamoring to get out and be put on paper but in such a disorganized state that I really just have to keep it as simple as possible and say “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving a soul.”
For this simple act of kindness your rewards will be very great for I am a stern believer of Karma and your act was of the most pure there is.
Thank you for the tears and the smiles and for hope.

[svolk]

What a happy ending, and what a beautiful picture to capture that special moment! Billy sounds so very special.

[Lori]

Rhonda,

Your story defines what being a mother truly is - God Bless you - thank you for sharing your wonderful story - going to get a kleenex now,

Happy Mother's Day to you!

[CrazyBirdLady]

What a marvellous, early, Mother's day gift!

Crying like a baby in the office...tell tale sign I'm not actually "working".

[Doubleyolk]

Rhonda are you sure that's Billy?

[RhondaR]

Thanks everyone, I have a difficult time reading it without tearing up again myself.

Joe~ I'm sure it's Billy, I was dragging his tail across the floor as he kept his beak clamped on my jeans just this morning.

[willowbirdy218]

That is so great! I'm so happy for you and Billy! Billy's story is so sad but I'm glad he has found such a great home! What a beautiful picture!

[TooLover]

being a cockatoo lover, all I can add is..... bless your heart for taking on this challenge and not giving up!
Hugs to you.