Well Gracie has been home now for a week and I wanted to update you on her progress. For those who don't know Gracie, she was a late baby last year (August). As the only baby with no clutch mates, Gracie had the opportunity to grow up with Rita's companion birds. From the very beginning Gracie was a very different baby. She did not read the rule book prior to hatching. Gracie did everything different! Starting with belonging to a previous owner who was diagnosed with a chronic illness, and with Gracie's best interest at heart, decided that she would not be able to take care of her. So this owner relinquished this tiny little baby to find a new home. Rita and I had spoken prior to this as I was investigating breeders and looking for that special green wing baby. To my surprise, Rita screened me, my family, my living/financial arrangements, and long term goals very closely to see if I was worthy of one of her babies. Well at that point Gracie belonged to someone else, but I passed the screening and was first on the list for the year 2004 to obtain a baby green wing. Then that wonderful day began and I got an email from Rita explaining the situation with Gracie and if I was interested she had a baby for me. Needless to say we jumped at the chance!

As Gracie began to grow and mature things started happening. She was not like most GW babies. She did not like the water bottle, and wanted to be a baby forever, and was the biggest goof ball! Weaning was not like anything that Rita and Mark had experienced. She gave us all a run for our money. Gracie showed great intelligence, and knew she wanted to stay a baby and have someone doting over her all the time. Gee who wouldn't like that right. She was a pill and wouldn't crack seeds (sun and safflower) for the longest time, but couldn't wait to get to the big seeds and all that scrumptious meat. Then the day came that Rita informed me that Gracie had an accident. While playing she had injured her toe, pretty bad I might add, but she immediately brought her to the vet and they were trying to save her toe. Now from a sellers point of view this was devastating. Rita was afraid that I would no longer want Gracie because she wasn't perfect. That was by no means the case. We had fallen in love with my little red chicken, even though we had never been with her. But we knew no matter what it took we wanted Gracie. By this time Gracie was already 5 1/2 months old and should be coming home very soon, but with this set back we were not sure when that day would come.

To make a long story short, 3 weeks of antibacterials and antifungals along with bandage changes every other day, a collar so Gracie could not pick at her injured toe anymore and make it worse, and a varikennel to control her movement, was what we had in store. There was a threat of osteomyelitis (bone infection) and possible amputation of Gracie's toes, but thanks to the wonderful care and determination by Rita, Mark, and the wonderful vets that service Avian Adventures Aviary, Gracie recovered without loosing her toe. Now back to weaning!

After recovery from this event, it was time to wean this baby that by now was 6 1/2 months old. After thinking we were in the clear, Gracie started to drop some weight and hand feeding had to resume. Was she ever gonna come home? This was all we could think. My fiancée got worried that Gracie was getting to old and bonding to much with Rita and Mark. For a split second I worried but thought I have a very special little girl coming and we will be fine.

Gracie finally came home to us on March 21st. After such a long wait and a flight across the country, that was more than 2 1/2 hours late, Gracie was home. I can tell you that Rita was a little nervous about how Gracie would react when she got here. She was now 7 months old and had been through a very tough time at such an early age. How was she going to react to these new folks. Avian Adventures prides themselves on delivering babies that love to be loved. Gracie was no exception. At first she was very frightened at the sight of us, but after singing this silly little song that Rita had sung to her for most of her life, Gracie calmed right down and was willing to take grapes from my hand. After an hours ride to her new home it was now time to come out of her travel kennel. I must confess this was a bit stressful for her. But good old Gracie Mae's personality came shinning through and she and I bonded immediately. Within less than an hour Gracie was sitting on my forearm, head down wanting to be scritched. I called Rita as soon as we got in to let her know that Gracie finally made it, and you could hear the joy in her voice as we talked on the phone that Gracie was adjusting so well. Sweet baby vocalizations, and wing flips were to be heard on the other end of the phone. She readily accepted food from my hands and was as gentle as a lamb.

Then the real adventure began. Rita had been telling me that Gracie was an exceptionally smart bird. Well I got to see that for myself. She would do absolutely anything that I asked of her as long as I explained what I wanted. Gracie was still a big baby and she trusted me enough to play with me like she did with Rita. The first time that Gracie rolled over on her back for me to tickle her tummy was such a special time for me. Gracie had never been exposed to a shower before, but when asked did she want to take a shower with me she readily mounted her shower perch and she and I had the best time "playing in the rain" as I call it. She even said " I love you". We play every day, and Gracie is making up the rules as we go. Now we play the "gonna get cha" game and we chase each other all over the house and then Gracie will just flop over like a dead chicken and want you to tickle her toes and belly. Gracie has shown me her intelligence more than once. She can already tell the difference between blue and red. When asked to select one of the colors she will be successful each and every time. She and I are very connected; it's almost scary. Like we know what the other is thinking. I had a very bad day at work and lost two babies in one 24 hour shift, (I am a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner). Gracie knew I had a bad day and that I need loving. She very gently came over to me from her play gym, climbed onto my lap and snuggled my cheek with her beak. She began making baby awking noises, and then gave me a wing hug. That made a very bad day very tolerable.

Why am I telling this story? I want everyone who is considering a new baby, be it green wing or not to do your homework. Check out the breeders and check out there statistics. Rita and Mark have done their homework; they know their business! They make promises, and they deliver! Their babies love to be loved and that is just what you get. A baby that knows nothing but love. Love from the day it leaves the nest and then through out its days with Rita, Mark and Lydia. Babies that are well adjusted, in top notch physical and mental condition, and eager to meet their new flock members. Of course price is always a consideration when making such an investment, but I am here to say that when you get a baby from Rita and Mark that you are getting way more than you ever pay for, and that is priceless!

Rita and Mark, thank you both for loving my little red chicken and preparing her for a new and wonderful life with us. Rod, Josh and myself could not be happier with Gracie. She is so much more than what we expected and look forward to a lifetime of adventures with her.

Thanks for everything!

Donna
Louisiana