This week it has been 20 years since we adopted and rescued a young five year old Yellow Cheek Amazon by the name of Jasper. While we don’t know his actual birthday we celebrate in October.

I’ve tried to imagine the time prior to not having Jasper in our lives. I started rescuing birds in the spring of 1998 and the fever caught on quickly and it has been maintained to this day.

Being around birds is different then the average pets- dog, cat, fish. We have one that talks back. And before someone says he is just mimicking you I politely disagree. He has learned our mannerism, our vocabulary, to an extent, and knows when and how to respond. It does make being home alone during the day unique. So, before you say how a bird can not be in away a pet I suggest you hang out with one. They are amazing animals and will love you as their own. But when I think about it Jasper, and my other birds, are not pets. They are more than that.

He loves my husband. No, wait. That is not the right word. He feels my husband is his mate and they are a bonded pair of birds. He tolerates me to an extent. It does not matter that I am his caretaker. Not one bit does it matter. LOL But let someone try to hurt me than he is all on team mom.

But his presence in our household and lives has changed us for the better. My first children’s book is based on him. His personality shines inside the pages and it is accurate to how he is in real life.

So, “Happy, we are so glad you are in our lives, how could anyone hurt you for five years, I would give your former owner a tongue whipping, you are in your forever home where you are safe and no one will ever, and I mean ever hurt, you again, we love you, and you are part of our family, Birthday.”

P.S. I am horrible with commas. They are definitely one of my Kryptonites as an author.