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MommaLovesKiwi · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 05:17 PM

Note: Sorry this is so long, but I am one excited Momma!

My name is Maura, I am happiily married to Keith & have 3 daughters (Alexa, Breanne & Riley) & 1 grandson (Jayden). They are the light of my life. I also have 2 miniature Schnauzers - Dieter & Bruno - They are my pseudo-sons.

We JUST added Kiwi - she's a 4 month old White Fronted Spectacled Amazon. I became her Momma on 8/10/08.

It wasn't supposed to be this way - I swear! I have known a blue & gold Macaw name Kiki for many years. He was nasty, feather plucker & screamer who only loved his Momma (my friend Christine). When I first met him I didn't know he was a meano so I instinctively petted him & he didn't bite - all were amazed, but none moreso than Kiki - Who was this brave lady? Doesn't she know I will draw blood?

Kiki always tried to get me after that - he was determined to scare me, but he never did - I called his bluff

. We became fast friends & Christine & Jack were able to go on vacation for the first time in 10 years (Kiki had a babysitter who was not afraid!

.

My husband & I became so interested in owning a large bird - Jack & Christine did their best to talk us out of it

- It's like having a newborn she would say. I eventually put it on the back burner for when my girls got a little older & I could spend the proper time with that type of bird.

Cut to last weekend. My daughter had been begging for a rabbit for a week. She had gone to the State Fair with my Mother & saw them there. My husband had an emphatic no for her. I thought for sure it was because when he was young his rabbit had a tragic accident & died. I had no idea there was another reason.

He had decided that it was time for our bird. Mainly because I work from home now & the kids have grown (2 teens & 1 with her own family) and we can now focus the time & attention that was needed. I didn't know that was where we were going when he asked me to take a ride.

We pulled up to the breeders & I was shocked! he said - c'mon let's go meet your new Macaw. WHAT?

Are you serious?

.

In we went & the owner greeted him by name - he planned this in advance! My macaw was a Blue & Gold 4 month old hand raised little girl. She is GORGEOUS! I, of course, walked right over & asked to to step up. Yea, that was the first bite. OK, my bad

. We spent about 4 hours there, talking to the breeder, walking in the aviary and trying to pry MY macaw off of the breeders shoulder. The only thing she wanted from me was a fingertip sandwich.

We decided that I would come back everyday to spend time with her & then eventually bring her home. This gave me plenty of time to set up the cage, play area, get food, toys, find an avian vet -

.

The next day back we go - and she hated me MORE - lunging, screaming, dive bombing. For the first time I was scared

. So I tried ignoring her and talking to the other birds (who were all nice by the way) and this one little baby girl, who I was told was VERY skittish and really only wanted the breeder, put her foot up (as if to step up) when I began talking to her.

I asked her to step up & she did. I brought her close & she snuggled on my chest. I held her for a while & I think it sunk in to everyone else (because to me & her it was OBVIOUS

) that it was meant to be. The breeder was crushed (I think because she knew bad girl macaw would never love another besides her and I wanted her Amazon!)

She agreed that the Amazon was a much better fit for me, maybe another Macaw? She has some new babies - am I interested? UM -

. I just KNEW that I had a bond with this bird & she knew I was going to be her human. Maybe in the future I can think about a macaw or another bird in general, but this was a meant to be situation.

So home she came - to a VERY large Macaw cage (don't worry the bars are close enough together

). She went to the vet the next day (yesterday) and appears to be a perfectly healthy & normal little girl. We did all the blood work & had the DNA test done. I am still up in the air about micro chipping - the vet recommends, but I thought I might find myself a pretty cool board to hang out on & get some other opinions.

So be on the lookout for my questions - I have already read 2 amazon books and yes, I got Parrots for Dummies (don't laugh!). I don't think I can ever learn too much.

While I know this isn't a dog forum I thought I should add that I have an alternative view on what my Schnauzers eat - one that doesn't sit right with some people. We feed a BARF diet. Both boys have terrible allergies & were on 3 medications 3X a day + a prescription diet. We tried everything the vet suggested & nothing seemed to help. It was torture for them. I spoke with thier breeder & she suggested the BARF diet. The are now medicine & allergy free for 1 1/2 years. Even my vet won't comment because he SEES the difference!

I thought I shouldtel you that so you realize how serious I am about making sure my animals have what is best for them. I do my research, ask questions & make informed decisions. I am also not afraid to admit I was wrong.

So, if you are still here

Thank you & I look forward to "meeting" you all soon!