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1. GET TO KNOW ABOUT
PARROTS BEFORE YOU BRING ME HOME
- I am not a domesticated pet like a dog or cat. I still have the spirit of
the jungle in me. I have special needs which you may find hard to fill.
Please don't learn these too late for my wellbeing. And please don't
acquire one of my cousins wild from the jungle—it will jeopardize his
survival and wellbeing, and that won't be a party for you either!
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2. GIVE ME THE
LARGEST HOME POSSIBLE
- I am used to flying through rainforests or savannas. I have given up
this great gift for your pleasure. At the very least, give me enough
room to flap my wings and exercise. And I need toys for my amusement
and wood to chew—otherwise, I might confuse your home with the forest
and its trees. |
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3. GIVE ME A
NUTRITIOUS DIET
- I need a wide variety of fresh and nutritious foods, even if they take
time to prepare. I cannot survive on seeds alone. Take time to learn what
my needs and preferences are.
4.
LET ME HAVE A 'SOCIAL LIFE'
- I am a gregarious flock animal—but I am not one of you. I need lots of
socialization to learn how to act with you, and with my siblings. I also
need to have adequate quality time with you every day—no matter what your
schedule or other needs are. I am a living, feeling creature. Above all, I
need to be able to have complete trust in you, and count on your
predictability in looking after me—every day.
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5. LET ME BE
CLEAN
- I may like to drop food or even throw it, but I need meticulous
cleanliness to be healthy. My skin itches without frequent showers, the
barbs of my feathers won't seal if they become oily and, worst of all, I
may become ill if my food or water is not always sanitary. |
6. I NEED MY OWN
DOCTOR
- You may not understand my physiology and therefore you may not recognize
it early on when I get sick. And it may be too late when you do, because I
hide my illnesses (remember what I said about my being an animal of the
jungle, where there are lots of predators). And I need an avian vet—a
specialist (no HMOs for me please). If you can't afford one, perhaps you
shouldn't have taken me home.
7. PLEASE DON'T
PUNISH ME
- Just as I don't always understand your peculiarities, you may not
understand mine. I don't TRY to get in trouble— remember, a house is not
the jungle. If I do screw up, don't yell at me and never hit me. I have
sensitive ears and I may never trust you again if you strike me. Hands are
sometimes scary things to us (why in the world would you not be
zygodactylous like us?). Even more importantly, we don't learn by
punishment. We are gentle creatures who only strike back to protect
ourselves; we learn through patience and love.
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8. SPEAK MY
"LANGUAGE"
- I know you get upset with me when I knock over my water bowl, throw
food, scream or pluck my feathers. I don't do these to annoy you—I am
probably trying to tell you something (perhaps that I am hurting,
lonely, or sad.). Learn to speak MY (body) language. Remember that I,
alone of all creatures on this planet, learn to speak yours!
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9. SEE ME AS AN
INDIVIDUAL
- I am a unique and feeling being. No two of us are alike. Please don't be
disappointed in me if I don't talk like you wanted, or can't do the tricks
that your friend's parrot can do. But if you pay close attention to me (and
I always empathize with you, whether you know it or not), I will show you a
unique being who will give you so much more than talking and playing. Give
me a chance to show you who I am; I think you'll find the effort worth it.
And remember—I am not an ornament. I do not enhance ANY living room décor.
And I am not a status symbol—if you use me as such, I might nip at your
up-turned nose!
10. SHARE YOUR LOVE
WITH ME
- Above all, please remember that you are my Special Person. I put all my
trust and faith in you. We parrots are used to being monogamous (no
bar-hopping for us!). So please don't go away for long periods or give me
away—that would be a sadness from which I may never recover. If that seems
to be asking a lot, remember—you could have learned about my needs before
bringing me home. Even having a baby or taking a new job isn't a fair
reason—you made a commitment to me FIRST. And if you think that you must
leave me because you might die, provide for me forever after you leave. I
may live to a ripe old age but I can't provide for myself. Remember I'm in a
small cage amongst people who are not of my blood.
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11. YOUR RIGHTS
- You have lots of rights, but I can only assure one. And that is, if
you treat me the way I described above, I will reward you with
unwavering love, humor, knowledge, beauty, dedication-- and a sense of
wonder and awe you haven't felt since you were a child. When you took me
home, you became my Flock Leader, indeed, my entire universe
–for life. I would hang the moon and stars for you if I could. We are
one in Heart and Soul. |
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