Vol. 3; Saga of Bobbie Q. 2007.Aug.09-2007.Sep.18
2nd-hand Alexandrine
End of the 3rd month in foreverhome.
Age: 1yr 5 months.
NOTE: some material has been copy/pasted then built upon to provide a cohesive description of current developments.
Incidents of objectionable behavior:
limited to occasional shrieking, generally following a pattern by which she doesn’t get quite enough attention/stimulation. Moderating the objectionable behavior is effected through positive reinforcement and ensuring socialization needs are met appropriate to species.
Food preferences outside a pellet diet:
LIKES: white grapes, fresh apricot, almonds, dried pineapple, fresh & dried banana, pomegranate, chicken, poached egg-white, cooked carrote (raw are chew-toys), cooked and raw corn on the cob, cracked pecans; dried piquin, ancho, cayenne, and guajillo peppers.
NEUTRAL: tomato, raisins, dried cranberries, green-leafy veggies, apples, nectarine, fresh bell pepper (red orange & green)
HATES: peanuts, excepting in-shell, which she promptly removes in order to discard the offensive nut, also hates blueberries, shelled walnuts, fresh pineapple, dried apricot.
TOYS: Celery stalks (beak-floss), carrot perches (compost), romaine cores & cucumbers (mulch), several varieties of squash (also compost). None of the previous are eaten, but are apparently "fun".
COMMERCIAL TREATS: Lafeber’s Nutri-Berries™ w/ pineapple, papaya, & mango are taken readily.
Accomplishments since Vol. 2:
VOCALIZATIONS:
- “Hello” as previous
- “How ya doin?” appears a favorite, is used in context—excessively
- “Bobbie Q. Chiquin” as previous, clearly recognizes as her name and responds accordingly
- “Que pasa?” used in context to situation
- “*kiss* kiss* kiss* kiss*, besos!” used in context assoc. w/ want or need for exclusive attention—“besos” comes out mumbled
- “good morning” developing well and in context
- “bye bye” developing well, context frequently reversed…go figure
Gave up on “money-money-money”. Appeared never to be attempted.
TRAINING:
We're still learning to come on command. Daily flight exercises continue toning muscle. Exercises have progressed to guided flight to myself, my wife, and her cage. “From” exercises planned for the future. Is now semi-volent, can effectively resist gravity but not fully defy it.
PHYSICAL CONDITION:
Good. Muscles building noticeably, keel can be felt, but mass is excellent. No health issues outside the occasional sneeze in response to who-knows-what. Diet is approx ¼ cup formulated pellets per day with ¼ cup fresh groceries in the afternoons. Occasional treats may include any combination of up to three of the following in various sizes; almonds, white grapes, 1/8 tsp dry wild rice, dried peppers, Lafeber’s treats.
BEHAVIOR:
Needs minimum 2hrs devoted attention per day or will become noisy. Enjoys strolling about the yard on finger or shoulder. Has no issue with taking an unrestrained trip in the car—sitting on a suction-mounted perch stuck to the front passenger window with newspaper over the seat; she gets a lot of attention from passersby and other drivers. Getting used to being stroked, petted or receiving “scritchers” under her neck, but still leery of such advances if they’re telegraphed or maintained for longer than a few seconds. Will readily accept kisses on her wings and shoulders, and sniffs to her neck. Feathers coming in fully with no further incidents or plucking either accidental or intentional.
Time for our afternoon stroll. She gets bitchy if she doesn't get her walk.
Vol. 3; Saga of Bobbie Q. 2007.Aug.09-2007.Sep.18
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