June 2013
Dear Humans, Elephants and Birds,
What a month! Besides visiting a fantastic place for parrots, see the story and pictures in this newsletter, we adopted a puppy. I missed last month's sexing meeting because Jackie and I were in Florida, visiting Jackie's father. We also were able to see wild manatees and dolphins. It is always such an uplifting experience to see animals living wild and free, the way they were intended to live. Jackie and I were on a cruise last year where we swam with captive dolphins. After speaking to handlers who told us what we were not supposed to know about how dolphins are kept in captivity and then doing some research on the subject, I was appalled. I found out that, other than using bullhooks and electric shocks, captive dolphins are treated very much like captive elephants. Sometimes I can be naive and then the truth of the awful ways how animals are kept and treated explodes in my face. Somehow we, as humans, justify any kind of cruelty because we can and it serves our purpose.
We adopted a new puppy about two weeks ago. His name is Opie and he is supposed to be a bloodhound, great Pyrenees cross. Actually, we had him genetically tested and they said that he is a golden retriever and American English Coonhound cross. He totally looks like a hound and he is adorable. Two vets, who saw him, said that he is going to be very large. We knew that but didn't know exactly how large. I love big dogs so, Opie, grow as big as you want to be. Aristophanes, my redoubtable macaw is not too thrilled about this new situation and he is taking it out on me. I have two lovely new welts on my arms. I don't know if he is jealous or confused or what he feels, but it hurts when he bites me.
Emma, my nape, doesn't care too much about the new pup and I am very careful with Zeke because he is a cockatiel and small, and so it will take time until they all learn to live together as a family. Lola is thrilled with him, loving him like a mother, and controlling him when he gets too rambunctious. She is 15 1/2, now, and he seems to have brought out a lot of new energy in my sweet old dog.
My two cats are reacting differently with him. Rosey is getting used to him and, I think, is really beginning to like him. Simon is still very frightened, starting to come around a little but acting very apprehensive around the puppy. He is 16 weeks old now and so he is pretty big at this point. My poor cats were so traumatized by Lincoln, the standard poodle we rescued about six months ago, that I believe they are still reeling from it. Simon got it worse than Rosey and he, actually for the first time, is acting afraid of dogs. It will take time for him to realize that Opie wants to play with him, not kill him like Lincoln. I am sure it will work, I just have to be patient and that is not my best virtue.
We have a great program tonight. We have Paula Ashfield from the Under My Wing Avian Refuge located in Wantage, New Jersy. Paula will tell us about her parrot sanctuary and the work she does through that venue. Paula comes to us through our club member Mary Loudin who has been contributing some great articles to our newsletter. I love when our members are active. Thank you, Mary.
In August, we have a very interesting program coming to the club. A group called Wild Watch will be presenting. This organization helps people connect to Wildlife Rehabbers. They also are outspoken against "sport hunting" and other blood sports
Now for July......OUR 27TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND MEETING..... We will be celebrating at Mr. Willy's Restaurant in Monticello once again. We will be getting our own private dining room, a full dinner with 3 or 4 choices of entree, salad, beverage, coffee and dessert. Along with that will be our silent auction, for which we ask donations from our membership......good stuff people, stuff upon which people will want to place bids.....and a fantastic program. This year we will have Michael, Kili and Truman. Michael is human and Kili and Truman are incredibly well trained parrots. Michael et al have been on the David Letterman Show, The Steve Harvey Show and America's Got Talent. They have also performed at many parrot venues such at the Connecticut Companion Bird Club who turned us on to them. Actually, Michael has just written a book that he will be displaying at our meeting, autographed copies will be for sale. This should be a fantastic evening. The cost of the dinner, program etc will be $35 for club members. The date is July 11th, at 7:00. Please get your reservations in as soon as you can to me or to Matt so we have an idea of how many people are coming for the restaurant.
Well, have a great month.....can't waif for our Anniversary........be well and happy and kiss your birds and elephants
With Love..........Richie
What a month! Besides visiting a fantastic place for parrots, see the story and pictures in this newsletter, we adopted a puppy. I missed last month's sexing meeting because Jackie and I were in Florida, visiting Jackie's father. We also were able to see wild manatees and dolphins. It is always such an uplifting experience to see animals living wild and free, the way they were intended to live. Jackie and I were on a cruise last year where we swam with captive dolphins. After speaking to handlers who told us what we were not supposed to know about how dolphins are kept in captivity and then doing some research on the subject, I was appalled. I found out that, other than using bullhooks and electric shocks, captive dolphins are treated very much like captive elephants. Sometimes I can be naive and then the truth of the awful ways how animals are kept and treated explodes in my face. Somehow we, as humans, justify any kind of cruelty because we can and it serves our purpose.
We adopted a new puppy about two weeks ago. His name is Opie and he is supposed to be a bloodhound, great Pyrenees cross. Actually, we had him genetically tested and they said that he is a golden retriever and American English Coonhound cross. He totally looks like a hound and he is adorable. Two vets, who saw him, said that he is going to be very large. We knew that but didn't know exactly how large. I love big dogs so, Opie, grow as big as you want to be. Aristophanes, my redoubtable macaw is not too thrilled about this new situation and he is taking it out on me. I have two lovely new welts on my arms. I don't know if he is jealous or confused or what he feels, but it hurts when he bites me.
Emma, my nape, doesn't care too much about the new pup and I am very careful with Zeke because he is a cockatiel and small, and so it will take time until they all learn to live together as a family. Lola is thrilled with him, loving him like a mother, and controlling him when he gets too rambunctious. She is 15 1/2, now, and he seems to have brought out a lot of new energy in my sweet old dog.
My two cats are reacting differently with him. Rosey is getting used to him and, I think, is really beginning to like him. Simon is still very frightened, starting to come around a little but acting very apprehensive around the puppy. He is 16 weeks old now and so he is pretty big at this point. My poor cats were so traumatized by Lincoln, the standard poodle we rescued about six months ago, that I believe they are still reeling from it. Simon got it worse than Rosey and he, actually for the first time, is acting afraid of dogs. It will take time for him to realize that Opie wants to play with him, not kill him like Lincoln. I am sure it will work, I just have to be patient and that is not my best virtue.
We have a great program tonight. We have Paula Ashfield from the Under My Wing Avian Refuge located in Wantage, New Jersy. Paula will tell us about her parrot sanctuary and the work she does through that venue. Paula comes to us through our club member Mary Loudin who has been contributing some great articles to our newsletter. I love when our members are active. Thank you, Mary.
In August, we have a very interesting program coming to the club. A group called Wild Watch will be presenting. This organization helps people connect to Wildlife Rehabbers. They also are outspoken against "sport hunting" and other blood sports
Now for July......OUR 27TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND MEETING..... We will be celebrating at Mr. Willy's Restaurant in Monticello once again. We will be getting our own private dining room, a full dinner with 3 or 4 choices of entree, salad, beverage, coffee and dessert. Along with that will be our silent auction, for which we ask donations from our membership......good stuff people, stuff upon which people will want to place bids.....and a fantastic program. This year we will have Michael, Kili and Truman. Michael is human and Kili and Truman are incredibly well trained parrots. Michael et al have been on the David Letterman Show, The Steve Harvey Show and America's Got Talent. They have also performed at many parrot venues such at the Connecticut Companion Bird Club who turned us on to them. Actually, Michael has just written a book that he will be displaying at our meeting, autographed copies will be for sale. This should be a fantastic evening. The cost of the dinner, program etc will be $35 for club members. The date is July 11th, at 7:00. Please get your reservations in as soon as you can to me or to Matt so we have an idea of how many people are coming for the restaurant.
Well, have a great month.....can't waif for our Anniversary........be well and happy and kiss your birds and elephants
With Love..........Richie