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 it hard to fill.
Please don't learn these too late for my
well-being. And please don't acquire one of
my cousins wild from the jungle---it will
jeopardize his survival and well-being, and
that won't be a party for you either.
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.
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 and need lots of socialization to
learn how to act with you, and with my
siblings. I also need to have adequate
quality time with your 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.
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 or 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.
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!!!
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
decor. 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.
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 on the moon and stars for
you if I could. We are one in heart and
soul.
