Jazzie's Great Adventure! (kinda long)

[Chico's Mom]

Well, yesterday I bought a harness (Feather Tether) for Jazz, and I was going to introduce her to it slowly. If you know me, you are rolling your eyes and saying "yeah, right", "slowly my foot!" Well, this morning I played a little peek-a-boo with her, and she's not afraid of the cloth going over her head or anything, so I moved the harness near to her while her head was covered and when I said peek-a-boo and uncovered her, she looked at it but wasn't scared. I put a treat right next to it to see if she'd get closer, but she didn't want to do that.

I decided to try to put the harness on her anyway, and she was such a good girl!! She fought it a bit and was trying to bite at it, but I managed to get it on with very little freaking out on her part. I did have to lay her down on her back on my lap, which she wasn't too fond of, but I managed to get it fitted and on her ... probably took about 10 minutes of me fumbling around, but next time it will be quicker.

Then I took her outside and into the car for a ride and she spent most of the time with her head under my hair at the back of my neck. Each time we hit a red light, I'd get her and speak softly and tell her what a good girl she was, and really she wasn't acting scared, but she must have been since her head was under the covers (my hair). We got to my cousin's house and her 3 little dogs met us at the door, barking, but Jazz was fine, feeling safe on my shoulder. We got into my cousin's car and off we went, to a couple of HUGE flea markets. I brought a bottle of water, and she drank out of the lid, and I brought pellets and treats, and she at a little. She eventually realized that she wasn't going to get eaten, and stopped hiding. She stayed on my shoulder the whole time, nibbling a peanut I held for her, and was just so very well behaved!! She did great with all the people that were around (no one was allowed to come too close or touch her) and really acclimated well! I had such a good time with this little fluffball today!

I wore her out. When we came home I put her on her stand, and she climbed into her cage and sat on a perch and closed her eyes. She took a couple of little cat-naps and only came out once to get on her stand. She is usually on her stand or playing on top of her cage non-stop, but I tuckered the little thing out!

I went to her a little later, and she came right to me, so I know that I didn't make her afraid of me by putting the harness on, and all in all I feel that this day was a real success!

I can't wait to take her out again!

[Kiwi08]

Thats really cool! I got a flight suit for Kiwi and he HATES it. Wont tolerate it at all. I have wondered if he may like a harness better, as its not as bulky. Good job with Jazzie - she sounds like a fun bird!

[becca623]

Congrats!!! She did better in a harness than any of my small birds. They drop to the ground like a rock after they make sure my hands are nice and bloody.
Next time, we need pics!!!!! ;)

[chinniechantel]

That is awesome news! I can't believe it all went so well the first try, that is just great. I love the feather teather, but it is kind of confusing with all those straps and stuff, I have used it almost 20 times and still don't have it down perfectly yet.

I have not brought Paco with me out in public other than around the block, but a flea market is a great idea. What flea markets did you go to? I love those, and the ones up here I have been to so many times, I would love some new ones.

[Renae]

Aww, how fantastic!

I bought the Aviator Harness and I'm waiting on it to be delivered.. I can't wait!!

I hope it continues to go well for you.