I read this beautiful writing several times and decided to share it with all of you... I have no idea of the author or where it began but I do know it touches my heart each and every time I read it...I have added a bit of my own words and feelings...Enjoy.

Just this side of Heaven is a place called RAINBOW BRIDGE....When an animal passes away who has been especially close to a human on earth, the pet goes to the RAINBOW BRIDGE.

There are meadows, hills and beautiful trees for all of our special friends so they can run and play and fly til their hearts content. There is plenty of food, water, sunshine and toys. Our little buddies are warm, safe and comfortable.

All of the animals who were ill and old are restored to vigor and health...Thos who were in pain, maimed or hurt are made whole and pain free again. They are just as we remember them in our dreams and memories. Our animals are happy and content and want for nothing...nothing except for one small thing...they each miss someone who was very, very special to them..someone who they had to leave behind.

As they all are running and playing...flying free in the sun...one will suddenly stop and gaze into the distance...Their bright eyes are intent and their eager body begins to quiver...Are those tears in their eyes? Suddenly, they begin to run from the group, flying over the green grass as fast as they can. They have spotted YOU, their special person.  You cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again...

Happy kisses and loving hugs are shared as you once again look into those trusting eyes of your pet...so long gone from your life but never gone from your heart...and as you hold tightly on to each other, you peacefully cross the RAINBOW BRIDGE... together.....

anne

It seems that in the spring of the year....beginning now...we are asked at least once or twice a week about the different woods and plants considered safe for exotic birds. There seems to be some differences of professional opinions on this subject, so I chose the ones that definitely fall into safe and unsafe.

CLEANING WOOD

Before making my list....the cleaning and debugging of safe branches is another must....again, there are several different views on the proper way to disinfect....Usually, 1 capful of Bleach to 1 gallon of water is the method most used...the wood must be rinsed thoroughly and allowed to dry completely....drying in the sun is optimum. The other method is using an antibacterial soap and hot water...rinsing well and allowing to dry thoroughly.

It is wise to not use wood found around highly traveled areas such as streets and highways due to possible contamination from exhaust and other pollutants.

Another area to be concerned about is insecticides and week killers.....NO....NO and NO...! Also be aware that if your grass is treated with weed killer and insecticide it can be absorbed into the root system of trees and into the wood...

UNSAFE WOOD

ANY PRESSURE TREATED WOOD...most light pine lumber in stores is not coated, BUT ask anyway.

LILY OF THE VALLEY, APRIOT, AUSTRALIAN FLAME TREE, AUSTRALIAN UMBRELLA TREE, AZALEA, AVOCADO, BLACK LOCUST, BOX ELDER, BOXWOOD, CEDAR, TRUMPET VINE, CHERRY, CHINABERRY, DIEFENBACHIA, BUCKEYE, ELDERBERRY, EUONYMUS, KALANCHO, FLAME TREE, FIRETHORN, PYRACANTHA, FOXGLOVE, CROWN OF THORNS, HEMLOCK, HOLLY, HONEY LOCUST, HORSE CHESTNUT, HYDRANGEA, JUNIPER, JASMINE, LANTANA, MANGO (fruit ok....wood is not), MEXICAN BREADFRUIT, MOCK ORANGE, MYRTLE, NECTARINE, NUTMEG, OAK, MISTLETOE, PEACH, PEAR, PLUM, PRIVET, RAINTREE, RED MAPLE, REDWOOD, RHODODENDRON, RHUBARB, JERUSALEM CHERRY, TOBACCO, TOMATO, WALNUT, WEEPING FIG, WHITE CEDAR, WISTERIA, YEW-TAXUS.

SAFE WOOD

ALMOND, ASH, ASPEN, BAMBOO, BARBERRY, BIRCH, BEECH, BOTTLEBRUSH, BUTTERFLY BUSH, CAMELLIA, CITRUS, CORN PLANTS, COTTONWOOD, CRABAPPLE, DATE, DOGWOOD, DOUGLASFIR, DRACAENA, ELM, EUCALYPTUS, FIG, GINGKO, GRAPVINES, GRAPE PALM,  GUAVA, HACKBERRY, HAWTHORN, HIBISCUS, JADE PLANT, LILAC, MAGNOLIA, MANZANITA, MULBERRY, PALM, PAPAYA, PECAN, POPLAR, PUSSY WILLOW, RIBBONWOOD, ROSE, RUBBERPLANT, RUSSIAN OLIVE, SASSAFRAS, SPIRAEA, SWEET GUM, SYCAMORE, WEEPING WILLOW, WIEGELA, YUCCA.

NOTE: These are not all inclusive lists, there are many more safe and unsafe woods, but these are the most common. Be cautious and don't be afraid to ask if you are unsure.

Stay warm and talk to you next month,

anne

Here we are at the beginning of a new year...a time to begin anew...I am always reminded of a new school year with fresh white paper, brand new (Whole) crayons, a new pencil pouch with an intact working zipper etc., but mostly a desire to do better, be better and not to make the same mistakes as before. Of course there is also a burning desire to wear a size four, have long, flowing blond hair, plump lips, doe shaped eyes, a million in the bank and no wrinkles....sigh.... I promise to try much harder to keep up with these monthly blogs....sometimes I get so overwhelmed with the Shoppe, home and just day to day living, I get remiss in this area....I will try to make sure I am here each an every month with you alll....

The weather is cold and cleaning cages isn't quite as easy as in the warmer months but still is a necessity. Using a solution of bleach water kills bacteria and other yuck....when the cage is dry and the bleach water has evaporated, it is non-toxic to the birds. Make sure that you are in a well ventilated area and the bird is in some other room....the smell can get kind of overpowering.

This is also a good time to take inventory of toys....pitch the ones that have seen better days, wash and repair the ones that are salvageable and possibly plan to purchase a few new ones.

Another New Year goal could be making sure nutritional needs are being met....sometimes we slack off on fruits and veggies....making sure vitamins are given regularly and your babe's nutrition is right where it should be.

Have a wonderful 2010....We will survive this one and many, many more!

anne

The holiday season brings not only good will to men, but wonderful smells, colors, decorations and yummy edibles. It is important to remember that some of these seasonal delights can bring with them possible harmful outcomes for your feathered buddy. I will outline some of the more significant ones here....common sense is your defense....

1. TEFLON - Some of us do an enormous amount of baking during the holidays...we find ourselves in the kitchen for hours on end creating delicious goodies to please our family and friends...remember that Teflon baking sheets are as dangerous as Teflon skillets and pans when heater to a high temperature...many cookies and cakes require a temp over 350 and can prove harmful....no need to stop baking, just remove your bud far from the area until your culinary chores are complete.

2. CANDLES and SPRAYS - Nothing says winter festive more than those wonderful cranberry, pine and cinnamon sprays and candles...unfortunately, they can say danger to our birds. Potpourri is safer as long as you make sure your buddy can't eat it or walk in it. Candles can also be used safely with a bit of care...Soy candles and YANKEE brand are safe as far as the emissions into the air...but they are as deadly as all the others if your bird flies into the flame and incinerates himself! Common sense prevails....

3. INCENSE - NO. NEVER. PERIOD.

4. Be cautious with lights, cords, ornaments and the fresh pine tree as well as the artificial tree....there are so many bright and shiny temptations that call your pets name...Common sense...

5. Be extremely cautious this season with flu bugs and illness...make sure you and your family practice good hygiene as well as your guests...wash hands before handling your bird...don't let him around or in your mouth....don't let him eat after you...this goes for your guests as well.

6. FIREPLACES - This is an area we sometimes gloss over..be sure that you NEVER USE FIRELOGS OR STARTERS....they are made with pretroleum products and emit toxins into the air...a fireplace and glowing fire can be safe for your bird as long as seasoned wood is used and you don't set off your smoke detector with billowing smoke from the logs...Common sense prevails here also.

Enjoy this beautiful season with crunching leaves, pumpkin pie and warm cider....

I am putting my Christmas tree us as soon as I can...my office already has a lighted Santa and a singing reindeer...I am in my glory!

anne

Sorry I have been so lax in keeping up with my Blogs….the summer proved to be a lot busier than usual and I fell behind….but I am here now….

The weather is rapidly changing and the temperatures are becoming erratic….here are a few simple tips to help your feathered buds to make a seamless transition:

1. Make sure the cage is no longer next to a window ….sunny days are a plus but night times can become quite cold.

2. Be cautious of carbon monoxide ….if you heat with gas or propane, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector….turn the sensitivity down one level to make it even more sensitive to this deadly gas.

3. Be aware of drafty areas ….birds can survive cooler temperatures but a draft can make them ill…

4. Rule of thumb….if you are comfortable you can safely assume they too are comfortable….If you have sweat pants, sweat shirt and are covered with an afghan….you are NOT comfortable…neither is your bird...

5. Safe temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees…

6. Fall and winter are cold and flu seasons….especially this year with H1N1 etc. ….wash hands regularly, especially before handling your bird…..be cautious sneezing and coughing around your pet and remind your children and guests to do the same.

7. Fireplaces can prove a hazard if smoke is escaping into the room instead of going up the flue….Starter Logs as well as the Fire Logs are dangerous due to the petroleum used in them.

Will talk to you next month….get your long johns out of the moth balls…brrr

anne