Many members of the ActiveRain community that I know personally have pets. Some have several pets. In my book, anyone who has pets, loves animals, and advocates for them is a GOOD person.
That does not mean that anyone who does not have a pet is not a good person.
Those of us with pets know how deeply we love them and how much pure joy and entertainment they bring to our life.
Thirty years ago, we went into a local pet store to buy fish for my son. As I was figuring out the difference between salt water and fresh water, the various types of tanks, and how to clean and maintain them, my son walks up to me with a cockatiel and asks: “Mommy can we get a bird?”
The rest as they say is history. Several hours later we were out the door with a cage and everything we needed for the newest member of our family.
My son named him “Mikey” after Michael Jackson. Can Mikey SING! It would be so loud at times it pierced my ears.
Mikey is super smart. He would fly to me when I said "Mikey come". I could be in my bedroom and call him and he would fly to me.
A playful little devil too. He knows the word "No". He would be doing something he should not be doing. When I said, "Mikey No" he would stop but wait and watch me. As soon as I took my eyes off of him he would go right back at what he was doing.
He knows the word treat. When I asked him if he wants a treat he would get excited with a little dance. There were times when I did not even have to say the word "treat" if he heard the bag he would get excited.
For the past ten years or so Mikey likes to spend most of the day in "his drawer." He has his mirror (also known as his baby) in there with him. Over the years he has destroyed the drawer. I let him bite it as much as he likes. It is "his" drawer.
In August 2020 Mikey could no longer fly. He is now 30 years old and has lived well past the life expectancy for a cockatiel which is 15-20 years.
The vet cannot believe it. His health is good. The issue is he has arthritis and cannot fly. He navigates his cage well and his appetite is good.
Three have been several times during the past 4 years when I thought it was the end for my little feather butt. I am thankful that he is still with me. He has brought and continues to bring, so much joy to my life.
When he is ready to come out of the drawer and go back into his cage he lets me know with a sweet little peep. Before he perches my finger to be placed back in his cage, he tucks his head down and flaps his wings.
He is an old man now. Understandably he does not like to play as much and will no longer allow me to rub the top of his head. He used to love that. I would rub his head every night for 10-15 minutes. I missed those precious minutes loving on him. These days it is all about geriatric care.
I love my little Mikey. I am thankful for every day I get to take care of him.
This is my Day 6 entry to the Thanksgiving Challenge 2021
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