All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Amazon Parrot, ebook, Spring Fling

Spring Fling

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My publisher is tossing a Spring Fling for her authors. From April 15- May 15 the ebook, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” will be slashed from $5.99 all the way down to $1.99. While I already have a copy of my own ebook, this will give m a chance to check out the other authors that are part of my publishers umbrella.

If you have not had a chance to check the book out, here is a great opportunity to give it a whirl. Even if you don’t like it, you can’t beat the price. But I hope you do enjoy the story within the electronic pages that comprise volume one of my Jasper series.

 

"Rio", Amazon parrots, Movies

Movies: Should they be factual?

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I’m not sure how many people here have seen the movie “Rio” which is a children’s movie that involves a macaw. I have never seen it. Most times when there is a movie I think Jasper might like I position the tv so he can view it and if it looks he is enjoying it I will dvr it next time it is on.

When this movie started on Saturday morning I went through this process for my bird. I sat down to watch the first few minutes while waiting for my husband to get is shoes on for we were heading out. Within the first five minutes of the show I was spitting bullets. For they showed the owner placing a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows and a few chocolate chips on the plate for Blue to enjoy.

Birds are not able to handle chocolate, and if you proceed to give your bird this delicacy it will kill them. The reason being their body temperature is lower than humans so they are not able to melt the chocolate hence causing them to choke on it. Even my husband said it had to be coffee. It couldn’t possibly be cocoa. But it was.

I know this is a kid’s movie but seriously? What if people viewing the movie thought it was okay to give this to birds in the wild or their own? Jasper was staring carefully as he watched Blue eat the cookie and then he looked at me. Even he was wondering what was up.

To me this was very irresponsible and I feared what might or could occur because of this scene. Just because it is meant for a younger audience does not mean it shouldn’t be accurate. A fact I home in on repeatedly when I write my own children’s book and the amount of research I do per volume.

Am I reacting to much? I don’t believe so. I just truly hope no birds were hurt due to this gross oversight on the people who made this film. Facts need to be checked for all genres and all ages. Something I strive for when I write.

 

Birds, Feathery friend, Twopiece

Twopiece: My first bird

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Monday was a rough morning. My first bird ever, Twopiece, was at the bottom of the cage. He scared me enough that hubby dug a hole in the back next to where his mate is buried.

Twopiece came home with me in 1998 and is roughly 17-18 years old. I always told myself when he is no longer with us I would be okay for he has had a long life. I was wrong, that was a lie. I am not ready for my little man to go just yet.

The problem with birds is by the time you notice they are not well they are almost always on their way to being gone. They hide their sickness which is a trait they learn in the wild. What is amazing is how my other birds were there supporting him, all of them as they try to cheer him on.

The next few days we will see how it goes. I just don’t want him in pain, and there is little I can do to help him if he is except bring him to the vet.

I was in denial the entire day as I hoped this was just as scare . For anyone who think birds can’t be as loving as a dog or cat has never been around a bird before for any great amount of time.

Since 1998 I have had a hell of a lot of surgeries, procedures, in and out-patient procedures and each time Twopiece has sat on my shoulder either grooming my hair or singing in my ear as he helped me forget the pain I was feeling. They all do this for me.

But TP is special since he is my first bird ever. The average life of a cockatiel is 15-20 years though some do live longer. Twopiece is in his golden years so I know the time could be close. The scary part is the rest of my tiels are all a year apart and in their middle years as well.

I am not ready yet and I hope he isn’t either. The crappy part of being a pet owner. Though I don’t consider any of mybirds pets but more the line as my feathery friends.

UPDATE:

Twopiece is doing better as of today. He is eating, drinking and grooming himself. These are all good signs. I will be watching him carefully. But I think it is time I cover up the hole that my husband dug up on Monday before the little guy gets any idea of using it.