thk

You guys are what (?? or who??) make this forum possible. You are greatly appreciated, especially by the feathered members as without a forum like this, we would have to do an awful lot of guessing when in doubt and our little bundles of feathers are the ones who would suffer. Thank you.. keep up the good work (and although its not going to make you millionaires, I'm sure you do it for love!!)

Awwwww!! They are GORGEOUS!!!! Congratulations. I love seeing the chicks.. they are so cute!!! more photos as they grow please!!! :hap: :hap:

I mentioned previously I have just taught Charley a new phrase (it took 3 days).. here is he.. telling me as it is!!!! Perhaps you'd like to take a look? (hopefully it will work!) http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x112/tm...tOneYearOld.flv

BASKETBALL???? ........ (NOTE: THE AUSSIE GREEN/GOLD BALL!)

I keep trying to get close enough to Charley for a photo but he's so darn inquisitive! I try to hide under the cage.. he peers over the edge as if to say "helllloooo!!!" ... : I try to mosey on casually "past" with camera at the ready.. he flies straight to the side of the cage and bobs his little head up and down in excitement!! Pest!! By the way, i decided to teach him a phrase other than praising HIMSELF!! (i.e. Charley's a clever boy, a pretty budgie, scratch my tummy ...etc etc). Something that is aimed at ME!!! (the relationship was a bit one sided :hap:) ...He now says "Hello!!! You look nice today!!.. Lets have a Baileys!" Hey now THAT'S better!!!

How proud I am!! Charley is one year old this month and for the very first time ever, I just saw him sleeping with his little beak tucked in his wings!! I am so excited.. one day I will take a photo of him but he's very alert and the minute I get the camera out he's showing off, racing around!! I've always thought its the cutest thing when budgies are "tucked up" in their wings, but Charley would never sleep that way. I was so jealous of of those of you who's budgies sleep like that!!! Tonight ... the very first time!! I feel like a mum whose baby has just taken his first steps... cut her first tooth... said his first word!!! No one but another budgie person could ever understand my excitement!!! What a clever little man!!

Charley adores the plastic ball. Its on the floor of his cage, he picks it up, carries it up to his water bowl and throws it in, then he looks at it (with one eye!!) and takes it out again, then throws it high in the air, swearing it at it (I presume!) for getting itself all wet! Maxie has one on the bottom of her cage but never looks at it, walks around it, keeping a wary eye on it, in case it decides to attack!!! So I guess its a "personal" thing.

very nice car and great shot MB... but ....mmmmm .....I would perhaps park a little further back from the gutter next time... ?? :hap: :hap: :hap:

Charley has always LOVED the word "tummy" (started with "scratch my tummy") .. now also loves "mummy", resulting in a repertoire of "tummy tummy tummy... mummy's tummy... its tummy mummy time.. scratch mummy's tummy ... Charley's mummy's tummy!!.. etc etc"... Its funny how they seem to get a favourite sound isnt it?? Guess I should teach him yummy ....(but not bummy!!).... :hap:

I cant resist. Here are two photos of our recently passed away (old age), much adored Golden Retriever. I think she deserves a quick write up. Roxie was 15 and had to be put to sleep last week. She was the mother of two litters (when she was a lot younger of course!), first litter 4 puppies, second litter 10 puppies. We kept one of her sons, Reggie (he's now 13). I live in Qld now, Roxie and Reggie stayed with my son in Canberra, they were his life. He was so devastated when Roxie's life ended last week, but he's putting all his love now into Reggie. Here is a moving poem I found very fitting. Please forgive me for just sharing it with you.. It is called "LEND ME A PUP" I will lend to you for awhile a puppy, God said, For you to love him while he lives and to mourn for him when he is gone. Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or maybe for two or three But will you, till I call him back take care of him for me? He'll bring his charms to gladden you and (should his stay be brief) you'll always have his memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise that he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn. I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true And from the folk that crowd life's land I have chosen you. Now will you give him all your love Nor think the labour vain Nor hate me when I come to take my pup back again. I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done," For all the joys this pup will bring, the risk of grief you'll run. Will you shelter him with tenderness Will you love him while you may And for the happiness you'll know forever grateful stay. But should I call him back much sooner than you've planned Please brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand. If, by your love, you've managed my wishes to achieve, In memory of him that you've loved, cherish every moment with your faithful bundle, and know he loved you too. -Author Unknown Here are the last photos of Roxie... as she was about 6 months ago... (think I got the size right this time for one photo but cant get the other one small so will leave it at this one)

I agree that 4 days away is fine. I was hesitant to leave Charley and Maxie initially but have had to go away with work for 4 or 5 days at a time, and other trips for a week. My daughter checks on them every second day and I leave the radio on softly, no cover on the cages and ensure that the place is safe SHOULD Charley (Houdini) find his way out (i.e. bathroom door closed with toilet seat down. doors closed and blinds slightly closed, enough to let in light but not enough for him to fly and hit the window if he did get out. Of course I worry about things like fire etc however that could happen any time if I'm at work or shopping, so I try to put that out of my mind when away. I miss them when I'm away and Charley is always a little sulky when I first come home, but he's soon his chirpy self again. So, my personal opinion (and I'm no budgie expert!) is feel relaxed and assured that they will be fine while you're away.. and enjoy your holiday!!!! :budgiedance:

GORGEOUS photo!! Postcard material!!!!! Very very cute.

Lucky lucky you!! I just ADORE Bassets!! their face are full of character!! Have you got a name for her yet? Please show more pics of her when you get her!!

I SOOOO agree!! My two "feathered kids" keep me from getting lonely (I'm a live alone grandmother). When I go away sometimes with work (a day or two) I come home and my flat is filled with love. Charley keeps me entertained for hours and when I make eye contact with him its on! I have to go to the cage and give him a cuddle. Otherwise he complains bitterly .. and loudly!! I read on here once that budgies dont enjoy being "stroked" but I find Charley LOVES it. He comes to the side of the cage and puts his little head against it for me to gently scratch him, he turns his head around so that I dont miss any bits! When he's on my finger he snuggles right up to my face, letting me put my nose in his feathers... (he smells so nice!! like real "fur"!!). Maxie doesnt like me too close to her cage but I still always chat to her for a while. She sits totally motionless (terrified) until i leave the cage then she occasionally lets out a quiet chirp. I'm sure its her way of saying she loves me too!! I would be more than a little lonely without my two! :hap:

That's great then. He is so overjoyed with his patch of "lawn", i'm happy to hear he can keep doing his own "mowing"!! I was worried that it was nutritionally bad for him but I guess as I dont use any chemicals and its just seed growing naturally it's okay. I am growing it in a number of separate little containers so that as one begins to look a bit "used" i have another to take its place. Sometimes you think "am I doing the right thing??" and just need that confirmation from those who are more experienced! :hap: Thanks for the comments and advice. :hap:

As I work during the day and dont arrive home till almost dark I tend to let Charley "stay up" until about 8pm, that way we get to spend a little time together. When I get home he is generally sitting quietly (as its dark-ish) but springs to life when I walk in. He greets me with a "good morning Charley, what's for dinner? Give us a kiss". He loves the tv (especially the footie ...Friday nights he's allowed to stay up a bit later to watch the footie!). I leave at 6am in the morning so have to uncover him while it is still dark and the light is on. As soon as the cover comes off he's into his "repertoire" of about 20 phrases, like a little wind up toy thats been fully wound. I'm sure he goes back to sleep when I turn off the light and leave. Maxie on the other hand is a totally different character, nowhere near as active as Charley. I uncover her also before I leave (they're in different rooms), but she tends to stay quiet. She also likes to go to bed earlier, generally around 6.30pm. I sometimes wonder if Charley gets enough sleep time but he seems to be totally content so I guess he does.

Oh they are GREAT photos!!! How lovely that they have such complete trust in you (and your feet!!). Well done Sunnie!!!!

I know there has been a little written about "budgie grass". I planted some budgie seeds in small containers and when sprouted put one in Charley's cage. He LOVES it!! My question is this.. is it okay to leave there while its growing beautifully (he looks like he has a little plot of "lawn"!).. can he have too much of it? He loves to eat it, play with it, talk to it, stand in it. I'm just hoping that he wont be eating too much of it.. but I dont really want to take it away from him as he is getting so much enjoyment from his little patch!! Any ideas??

Congratulations Misty. Thats one cute photo!!!! He looks so totally messed up and bedraggled!! by far the best wet budgie I've seen!!

Congratulations!! That picture is worth framing!!! Its sooooooo cute!!!

Oooh thank you sooo much for all the safety hints. I would be totally devastated if anything happened to my two feathered buddies. I often worry about Charley when he's out of his cage as he tends to fly around the room sometimes to the point of over tiring himself and threatens to hit the walls. It terrifies me. I try to encourage him to take short flights, i.e. from the cage to my arm (or head!!) but sometimes he takes off and goes around and around and around... I cant bear to watch yet need to see where he lands (sometimes on the floor, totally exhausted!) I'm a nervous wreck when he 'takes off'!! He generally ends up back on his cage but sometimes its as if he loses his way back!! I'm at the point where I limit the times I let him out now as it worries me too much. Does anyone else find this problem with their budgies when they let them out to fly? I would not be able to survive without him. He's my little mate. (by the way he's learned more phrases this last two weeks... he now also says "what's for dinner?" and "look at me kimmy... look at me!!!!" has a total of around 16 phrases) Again..thank you for all the "budgie safety" hints!!!

I have resisted giving them cabbage so far as I had a feeling it was kind of in the same league as onions, and other possible "tummy upsetting" foods. Then I thought perhaps I was thinking too "human" like. :hap:

Perhaps she can teach Cookie and Scooter to squat over the hole in the paper and thereby have an "instant" clean house! :hap:

Sorry if this has been covered before, I have searched and couldnt find what I needed. Can someone tell me if a little bit of cabbage (green and/or red) is okay to give them now and then? Charley loves his greens and I like to vary them (not sure if he ever actually EATS any of it, he does love to tear it into little bits all over the floor!)

That is so cute and funny!! The pup is so patient!! It is so careful not to step on the little feathered pest!!