The Story of Watermelon

[NoLimitssjca]

Months ago my wife and I fell in love with a beautiful Green Nape Lorikeet named Watermelon when we saw him in a local pet shop. We would have loved to have him but we simply couldn't afford the price tag. His antics were mezmerizing. He was highly energetic, hanging, rolling around, and generally causing a party wherever he went. We visited him regularly for several months then one day, we went to see Watermelon and he was gone. He had found a home and was no longer around to amuze and amaze us.

A couple of months went by and I was browsing cages and birds on Craigslist when I saw Watermelon's parents post that they could no longer keep him and that for a small rehoming fee he was available!

I inquired to make sure it was the same bird we fell in love with and it was. I asked my wife if she remembered (Duh!) and she immediatly said we must have him.

So we drove an hour up to the city and picked him up today.

We look forward to having him as part of our family for years to come.

Here are a few video's of Watermelon playing.

YouTube - parrot bath
YouTube - kung fu parrot
YouTube - Dog and parrot fight over an apple

[Michelle & Fids]

What an adorable baby, I guess it was meant to be.

[Ashling]

He looks really tame and friendly, you're gonna have a lot of fun with him!

[mundyzoo]

A couple things, Dobermans and Lories and 2 of my fave animals in the whold world! I worked with Doberman rescue in Kansa city for years and was owned by the most beautiful dobergirl in the world til she passed on. I adore lories and you are so lucky, I have been searching for one for nearly a year!

The videos are fabulous!!!!!!!!! Please keep us updated!

[Parrotpeople]

Wow, he did all that on his first day home with you guys?! He's definately a cutie.

[NoLimitssjca]

Mundyzoo,

I read your story before I picked Watermelon up and realized how fortunate I was to find him. If I find another you'll be the first I tell.

Clearing up a misunderstanding. The videos were from his previous home. His first day here was much more tame. He was very subdued but friendly. Today he saw my Tiels and lunged! They were NOT amuzed. In time I hope they are more tolerant. But my Tiels didn't abandon me. :-)

I have a lab who is a complete spaz and gets way too excited when the birds are close. They would like to play with her but she can't be still at all. Watermelon tried to aproach my lab but she's just to excited to control herself.

I need to do a little photo editing and put them all in my signature like so many of you have.

[mundyzoo]

Ahhhhhhhhhh I see! Keep us posted on how Watermelon is doing, I can live vicariously!

[FoxersArtist]

Watermelon is beautiful and so glad you got to have your chance with him afterall.

Your videos were very cute but i have to admit, I held my breath through that last one with your dog. A lesson I have learned through adopting birds out is that a lot of people think their dogs are wonderfully well behaved and would never hurt a bird. Still I have gotten phone calls from histerical bird owners who suddenly lost their feathered babies to the curiousity of their beloved dog. I try to explain that even if their dog is sweet or mellow, they are still predators and parrots are still prey animals.

Also, dog saliva can be extremely harmful to parrots as parrots were not built to handle the same bacteria that many other critters can handle. I would not let them share food or let your bird anywhere near the dogs mouth.

Good luck with your little guy. I really enjoyed watching him bathe and it was nice to see that his new owner speaks fluent lory. :)
-Anna

[NoLimitssjca]

It's been a month since Watermelon came home. He's bonded with me really well and we have both learned a lot about each other. He has learned in the last few days how to go potty on demand -YES! No more accidents (well not many).

Bath time is a hoot. This took a few weeks to get him comfortabke but now he loves getting splashed or rolling in a dish.

I have learned that upside down and on his back is more fun that a barrel full of monkeys. I'm working on teaching him that the monkey shrieks result in timeout in the remote cage (he then does the cutest soft trill).

He is just a complete joy to have around. I wonder what two would be like?

Thanks for reading...

[mundyzoo]

I am so happy for you and Watermelon! I dont know why Lories get such a bad rap, they are the funniest little birds. I am very tempted to get that Black Lory I heard about somewhere but I am afraid my hubby would shoot me!

Low and behold after I looked for nearly a year for a Lory, my bird club had one come in last week. It is in a foster home but heck the members were fighting over who could foster so I dont it ever goes up for adoption.