August 18, 2012 Dear Mom;

Having decided in advance to change my approach in the medical room, that's where I headed yesterday morning. I didn't go for my morning walk; I wanted to spend as much time as possible at the refuge. So away I went, armed this time with what I thought were little boxes of raisins that turned out to be little boxes of yogurt raisins, my rags, spray bottle, a big bag of pine cones and my Lee Valley stool. I also took the August brochures that Lorne and I  put together. Management was thrilled with them and wants monthly brochures. I'll be sending a copy to you. Feedback, ideas etc are very welcome.

Okay, back to the medical room. When I approached the room I could see that the lights were out; the room was in darkness. I was really upset to think that the staff had forgotten to turn the light on and that the birds were still in the dark at 11 am. I opened the door, but I couldn't find the light switch. I practically ran out looking for someone to turn the light on. It happened to be Nick that I nabbed; he's been really helpful in the past. Anyway, he turned the lights on and I saw where the switch was located. And of course I was already rehearsing in my mind how to approach the staff supervisor about the lights. LOL I think because I knew what I was going to do in the medical room, I was calm and organized. And I think the birds fed off that. I found an empty cupboard to stash my stuff in, then just spent time with the birds, especially Mango. I talked to them and skritched and cuddled and petted as many birds as I could. Mango was very gentle and affectionate and the other birds were talking and whistling.

 

        Mango

 Chris even came to me briefly for kisses and skritches. And in the middle of my fun, the lights went out. Yep, a cute little Umbrella Cockatoo had switched the light off.

                                                              Light switch fiend.

I felt really sheepish for thinking what I had about the staff; I should have known better. I also should have known better than to underestimate those birds. Anyway, after trying to fill everyone's attention tank, I proceeded to clean. It still was quite a challenge to keep one eye on Mango, in case he decided to practice his long-jump, keep an eye on the light switch...and clean. But Mango was really good. He did fly at me once but I ducked and he missed. So, no bites. For the most part he just sat on his stand and watched me clean. The lights went out a couple of times more. And once it was Mango who turned them out. He's a smart one. I even managed to take some more photos.

 

Bertie's enclosure was next. That's where I got my little stool out and set it up next to the cage that's in the enclosure. Bertie came down for some cuddling and skritching. And a little Goffins climbed down the cage to my shoulder. Bertie took exception to that, fluffing up big with crest up and taking pretend lunges. The Goffins moved off. There are so many birds there longing for the loving and attention that we've taught them to expect. It makes me sooo sad. I really was glad to have brought my stool with me. By the time I had finished in the medical room, I just couldn't have stood for much longer. I think Bertie would have liked for me to take up residence there because she was very reluctant to step back down to a perch. Sigh.

Now Babe played hard to get this time.  She did come closer but stayed just out of reach.
So, for awhile I just concentrated on giving spray baths. The birds I've sprayed in the past were already lined up for bathing before  I even got the spray bottle out. They really surprised me. One Sulphur-crested Cockatoo next door to Babe's enclosure kept sticking her foot through the wire grabbing onto my shirt so that I'd spray her. LOL Another one kept biting my toe to get sprayed. Sigh. When I ran out of water, I set up my stool and got the camera out. Babe came down to get something to eat and I tried to take a video. Don't get excited; when I got home there was no video on the camera. I'll go back to the drawing board before next Friday.  I really missed my cuddle with Babe, so I think I'll leave the spray baths next week and concentrate on bribery, maybe toast and peanut butter. LOL

Okay, gotta go now, Mom. Murray's yelling "night, night", Bobbie's ringing her bell and Smokey is beating the devil out of  his little permaplay man. I know when I'm being paged. LOL
 
Love,
 Pat