March 15, 2013 Dear Mom;

I was off to the Refuge early for me today. It's been several weeks since I've actually done any work there, with first me being sick with a cold and then Lorne with a cold, then the flu , then pneumonia. Thanks for the good wishes; they worked. Lorne is feeling much better. I went straight to the Extended Care Unit as the Director had asked. She's hoping the volunteers will help ease the workload that the new unit creates. And much to my surprise, the Director and a couple of volunteers were already there working. So, I too started in with changing cage papers and wiping down cages. The Director too was changing cage papers and sweeping as she went. The volunteers are from Manitoba. They have an Umbrella Cockatoo that they come to see. So, they make their vacations working vacations. Anyway, they were busy replacing water dishes and washing dishes. Then the manager arrived. As you can imagine, five people got the chores done far more quickly than one or two.

Broken-toe Peaches

                                                                       Derby

                                                                           Hello

 

pearl
 

                                                                  Sore-toe

And I'd been over to spend some time with Chris who really didn't want anything to do with me. She had taken a liking to Elvis' cage because he had a cardboard box in his. Elvis left the inside of the cage to Chris and took up his spot on top of the cage which seemed to work out well. Chris did let me give her head skritches but that's all. I was standing talking to the Director and the manager when a bird landed on my shoulder. When that happens at the Refuge I usually stand very still until I know it's safe to turn my head. This time I just said to the Director and manager, " Okay, so who is this?" The Director grinned at me and said, "It's Babe".  Even now it moves me to tears. She actually flew to my shoulder; I hadn't seen her and didn't know she was there. So, I had my little cry and Babe and I snuggled and had a wonderful love-in. That just so made my day. The Director and manager changed Babe's leg bandages while I was there. The Director was really disappointed because on Wednesday Babe's left leg was fully healed. But she got at it again and had a nickel sized wound that got treated and wrapped. Her right leg was a mess. But thank goodness there is no infection. Maybe the atmosphere and lower sound level in the new unit will agree with her and she'll leave her legs alone while there. The manager returned Babe to her "spot" on top of three cages with three other Umbrellas. But again, before I left to go see Bertie, Babe flew to me plastering herself against my chest.  If there was any doubt before in the Director's and manager's minds about the relationship between Babe and me, there cannot be now. LOL

When I went down to the Refuge proper, Bertie was in the Medical Room still. There was no one in the kitchen to ask to fetch Bertie for me and I knew I couldn't go in. So, I just grabbed my little stool, bag of treats and a small towel and headed for the Medical Room. No one was in there either , so I waited. A staff member arrived with her hands full a few  minutes later. When I asked her to bring Bertie out to me, she told me to come in and get her because she had her hands full. What could I do? I went in and got Bertie...once we found her. LOL I took her outside the medical room, set up my stool and sat there for our visit. It really wasn't very satisfactory. Andy, the Hyacinth Macaw came over for my toes. Treats and the towel kept him from them. A Moluccan kept grabbing my pant leg and shaking it like a dog would. I think he was after fresh leg and I  had to keep my eye on him. Two other Macaws approached on the floor. Andy took exception and I had to chase Andy away from attacking them. I had two Bare Eyed Cockatoos flying to my shoulder making Bertie nervous. Finally I said, enough is enough. Bertie went back to the Medical Room and I made my way back to the kitchen with Idaho hot on my heels...literally.  I cracked walnuts for just over an hour and left for home.

And that was my day at the Refuge. And Babe made it special. Hope you like the photos of some of my Extended Care Unit friends.

Love,
Pat