For the first time in many years I experienced what it's like to get two toddlers ready for daycare first thing in the morning. I only had to get one ready and found that pressured enough. Yesterday morning, after breakfast and bird chores, I got Bertie and Babe and all my petition information together as well as lunch for the girls and me, pellets, Bertie's clicker training props and a variety of treats. Then we were off to the local pet store to promote the petition. The family that owns the pet store were very accommodating, providing me with a table and a prominent location near the checkout.
What a wonderful day we had. Babe delighted customers with her "hello" and sometimes "goodbye". She danced and whistled and had a great time. She's quite the ham. Bertie showed off her clicker training skills for customers, especially the children, until she was so full of sunflower seeds she could barely move. Not everyone was comfortable signing the petition. Some wondered where parrots could go if the Refuge stopped taking in more. Some would have preferred to sign a petition requiring that people be licensed to own a parrot (not a bad idea). One gentleman simply said no. Despite these few objections, we got 50 signatures. In the process we managed to educate some people including members of the next generation of caregivers about parrots, their needs and their dilemmas. When we left the store at 3PM the three of us were exhausted. But I also feel renewed and energized now.
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| Bertie with her new friend, Erin. |
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| Babe & Bertie stay occupied with foraging boxes. |
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| A rare break in the action. |
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| Relaxing for a minute. |
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