Small miracles

[Oak2004]

A little over a year ago, I was given a small parrot by a rescue group, who I renamed Peri. She was, bluntly, a mess: emaciated, abused, cagebound, a fervent plucker, a bird whose favorite words are not fit to repeat in polite company, a bird whose favorite hobby was relieving nearby humans of as much of their flesh as she could fit in her beak. She was afraid of night and of the dark, and the first night she was with me, she woke up screaming at 2 am. People who saw her found her absolutely adorable for some reason, but my biggest concern was simply insuring that the little bird, who had seen only human cruelty for a good portion of her roughly seven years on this earth, survive.

Survive she did. Her frame filled out. Over time she went from sleeping in her food bowl and never straying far from it, to exploring the cage, then the cage top, venturing onto my shoulder, and most recently, soaring through my apartment on a search and destroy mission, seeking out and attacking friends, Visiting Nurses Association personnel, maintenance men, and anyone else not identical to me (that's when I reacquainted myself with the woman at the local pet store who does wing trims). Fortunately my aides and friends still found the half-bald, angry bird who stamps her feet and shouts "goddamn goddamn goddamn fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck" at the the top of her lungs, irresistible.

Still, for all of her progress, she continued to pluck (and of course saw absolutely everyone not named Mommy as a dire threat). This urge to do violence to herself and to others, as well as the bad memories that continue to haunt her, prompted me to begin to affirm that Peri has been always, throughout all eternity, surrounded with love.

Now, I know that it is possible to work across time and space to heal the past. I've seen it, I understand how it works, etc. Still, it was difficult to understand how it could even begin to manifest in this instance. This is a bird who was neglected and abused to an inch of her life. I've lost count of the number of times she's attacked people. It's good that people think this angry winged monster is adorable, or she would have gotten us into a whole lot of troub.... 

And then I saw it. Then, I understood.

It *is* a small miracle, isn't it? :)

[OneGrassRoot]

1. OMG, I love Peri!!!!

I'm typing this through tears. You share so beautifully, and I feel I already know Peri. What a dear soul she is!!!

As are you, Oak2004. Blessed are those who rescue the abused and downtrodden. What a blessing you found one another and created a miracle!!!

I've never had a bird; having had cats, and so many, for so long, I've assumed it's not a great mix. But I know these creatures are wonderful companions and service animals; a blind friend always has a bird, and they're always her best friend.

And I absolutely love, love, LOVE a creature who "stamps her feet and shouts who 'goddamn goddamn goddamn fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck' at the the top of her lungs, irresistible."

:rofl:

:loveya:

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: to you and Peri, and thank you SO much for sharing that miracle!!!

[Kind of Blue]

2. Me too!

I'd love to be able to say "goddamn goddamn goddamn fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck" and still be loved. :rofl: Good Lord, that's too funny!

[OneGrassRoot]

4. LOL!

Actually, my mantra is "shit, fuck, piss!" :bounce:

I have Mark and Taylor finishing it for me. If I only get "shit" out, they'll chime in with "fuck, piss!"

:rofl:

:hi:

[Kind of Blue]

3. I think you're the miracle, Oak2004.

:) :hug: :)

[OneGrassRoot]

5. +1000! :) n/t

[Flying Dream Blues]

6. Oh, I love little Peri!

Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us. You are a wonderful writer! I agree with everyone above that miracles abound in this story and you are the center of all of it. Bless you for giving Peri such a loving home.
:hug:

parrot:hug:

[Celebration]

7. Hey, how about posting a picture??

The cussing is funny, but I am a bit concerned about her plucking.

Maybe we can do a group healing!! I could always try making a slideshow for her and see what happened.

[Oak2004]

9. I'm away from my laptop at the moment, but there's one small pic at

http://www.artfire.com/users/webmuskie/blog/who-i-work-for-and-the-myth-of-79-virgins

When I'm at my laptop later today, I'll post the *really good* pics :)

[japple]

10. Oak, I took the liberty...hope you don't mind. She is darling.

[Oak2004]

14. Typing right now is hard for me so I am not going to try to post any nicely cropped pics

hosted on my webserver (see, alas, the prayer/healing request thread for details :( ). Instead, here's the raw feed, as it were (my neighbor with the real camera had taken the pics):

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=peri&w=74004751%40N00

At least I hope I got the URL right.

And here is a sample of what is there:

[japple]

15. THANK YOU!! Peri is a love. And so are you for giving this dear

creature such a wonderful home. Looks like bird paradise to me!

[OneGrassRoot]

16. She is so precious and beautiful!!! What a wonderful home....

you have provided her, Oak2004! So many toys and creature comforts.

Bless you....

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

I'll check the prayer/healing thread now...

[Kind of Blue]

17. She's gorgeous. Even though there's no

direct light on her, her colors still shine through! Peri is so lucky to have you and the people around her.

Joining you in sending more healing. :hug:

[rosesaylavee]

8. I think you have a viral video potential here...

I see t-shirts and bumper stickers made that scream 'Peri Speaks For Me!'

Great story!

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Yes!!! Ooooh, a video of Peri....

and merchandise "Peri Speaks for Me" -- LOL!!! Brilliant idea, rosesaylavee! :applause:

Raising money and awareness for a bird rescue organization of Oak2004's choice or something.

Peri is BEAUUUUUUUTIFUL!!!

:grouphug:

[rosesaylavee]

12. Thanks!

Ideas... I gotta million of em. No money (yet) but ideas I got plenty.

[Oak2004]

18. Ohhhh, how could I resist::

(it was worth the pain :) )

[rosesaylavee]

19. I like it!

Alternately, one where she is stamping around would be awesome too.

[Kind of Blue]

20. Love seeing that sticky on DU homepage! Wish I could

have that instead of the "I donated to 3rd quarter blah, blah, blah"

[OneGrassRoot]

22. Want!!!

Love that Peri. I really do. What a special soul. :hug:

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. "...affirm that Peri has been always, throughout all eternity, surrounded with love."

That is really beautiful. I've just begun using upon myself (much need here) and I've felt something positive on only the second repetition.

:hug:

Best to you and the bird!

[Oak2004]

21. A quick (emergency) note: peri woke up sick this AM

I am taking her to the vets right now. More wnen I get back.

[OneGrassRoot]

23. Oh geez.....

Please let us know.

Will keep Peri and you in my thoughts and prayers....

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Oak2004]

24. peri and i are back

(excuse the capital letter absence. i'm trying to save keystrokes.)

peri woke up at aout 6 am, plucking furiously (i heard her). at 10 (our wakeup time) she was not on her usual perch, but was somewhere very much lower (not sure where). she was quiet and listless and not sure on her feet. The vet put her on antibiotics and will do a bplood draw if she does not get better.

(writing thie on a tablit w bad hand sorry)

[OneGrassRoot]

25. Thanks for the update....

Been anxiously awaiting your post. No worries about the typing!

I hope you and Peri relax and heal tonight, and that you both feel MUCH better in the morning.

I echo what you wrote originally. I "...affirm that Peri has been always, throughout all eternity, surrounded with love" -- and is whole and well.

Huge healing hugs to you both!!!!!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Oak2004]

26. An update: Peri seems to be laying an egg.

I'm keeping her warm and making sure she gets plenty to eat and drink.

Poor girl: she has had such trouble with eggs.

She must not have been fed very well for a long time, that people thought she was male.

OTOH (no pun intended), I'm getting my hand looked at tomorrow.

[OneGrassRoot]

28. Wow!

I have zero experience with birds. I find the stories of Peri absolutely fascinating!

Bless her. I'm keeping her in my thoughts and prayers. :hug: :hug: :hug:

And you. Please update us about your hand as you can, without it being painful. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Oak2004]

30. updates for both of us

peri is in the birdy hospital overnight, but will be coming home tomorrow barring of course some sort of unpleasant surprise. she could not pass the egg w/o help. they thought they needed to aspirate the egg with a needle (a dangerous procedure) but she passed the egg just as they were getting ready to anesthetize her (they had given her fluids and oxytocin earlier -- yes same stuff they give u humans in similar circumstances -- and it worked just in the nick of time). Once the egg was out she got a lot livelier, according to the vet, even "chatting" with a dog in the hospital. the vet imo did a great job -- allow me to brag all over dr. elizabeth miquel of essex vet center: http://www.essexvet.com/

On the umm, other hand, no pun intended, I appear to have tendonitis, and will be going to occupational therapy hand clinic for it (I've been there before for my finger deformities)

Now my big concern is paying the vet bills. It's going to be in the neighborhood of $700, and I'm already deep in debt from her previous vet bills. And I'm on SSI. I don't feel guilty about defaulting on my loan shark cards, if that is what itcomes down to, but then I won't have the plastic to cover any more vet bills :(

[Kind of Blue]

29. Oh, I sure wish this one takes. It would be

wonderful to hear how Peri changes as a mom. Thanks for the update Oak :)

[Oak2004]

31. Can't. She has no mate

The egg is definitely infertile.

[NJCher]

27. wonderful story, Oak

There is a special place in heaven for people who come to the rescue in situations like this.

Personally, I want to give you a big hug: :pals:


Cher