FireBoard Site Syndication http://www.members.companionparrot.com Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:14:42 -0700 FireBoard 1.0.5RC2 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/components/com_fireboard/template/default_green/images/english/emoticons/rss.gif http://www.members.companionparrot.com FireBoard Site Syndication http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=32&id=1051&limit=6&start=168#1370 I will do my best to attend the FEB meeting because I would like to show strength in numbers. I am no longer a member and haven't been for several years. I don't even own 1 bird any longer... but will when Glenda has some babies because I'm feeling a lot better and ready to have a small lovie! I am wondering, how many general members know about this entire situation? Further more, how many know the exact nature and circumstances? I think it's important that people understand state and local laws concerning animal abuse, neglect and hording and that NO... this issn't something that can just happen to anybody because someone just wants to get revenge, etc. Like I said, I am sure there were days where if animal control showed up here, they would not have been overly impressed with cages and surrounding floor areas. At worst, I might have been fined, given an order to clean up or something and things were never so bad that I would not have been able to pass an inspection with no problem in 24-48 hours, even if I were the only one cleaning up. Never would have there been dead rodents, rotting food, insects, mold and sick birds with infections, dehydrated, emaciated, grossly overgrown beaks and nails. And NO, the photographs we have seen were not doctored in anyway, there were taken by the dept of ag, animal control and used as evidence in criminal proceedings. I think it's important people understand this isn't a personality conflict or a one time infraction. You don't have 111 birds confiscated because you didn't change cage papers one day. Also, I think it's important that members know this isn't just a private matter between a few in the know, it's national news among the bird community and RMSA is in danger of losing public supporters, funds, donations, etc because of this. I am surprised that in light of so many board members resigning, there isn't a special meeting where there can be better facilitated discussion about how to move forward, repair gaps that allowed this to happen and start to rebuild the reputation of the club within the community. I think it's important members have all the facts, no rumors and hearsay, so they can take the time to make careful, thoughtful suggestions, calm emotions and if needed, prepare notes or written statements. It's not unlike when a company does a products recall and makes immediate steps to ensure whatever failed doesn't happen again. Or a financial institution that is found to be doing something like insider or illegal trading. My hubby works for a large mutual fund company that was caught, along with many other companies and banks, in just that situation. Most of those companies immediately fired the people responsible for the illegal activity and did their own internal reworking to prevent similar situations in addition to the legal ramifications, fines, restitution, etc. My hubby's company chose to say"oops, sorry. we didn't really know that was going on, but no biggie." There was no formal apology and nothing changed except for the imposed audits, fines, etc. His company lost a LOT of business because they refused to be accountable, and over 5 years later they are still paying for it (figuratively and literally) and repairing that broken image. So, no... I don't want to just bitch and moan, I'd like to think I might could help be part of the solution but frankly, RMSA repeatedly let me down when I attempted to address a lot of concerns while I was a member. Karma can be a real bitch, much more than even me!;) The real losers and victims are of course birds. I don't care a whole lot about what most people think of me, and don't give a damn about what people who abuse, hoard, neglect and mistreat animals think or the people who don't have a problem with that behavior. At any rate, I will do my best to make that meeting. I am having an invasive medical procedure immediately before that, and might not exactly feel like going anywhere. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:20:34 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=32&id=1363#1369 Sally T Hi there I've heard nothing but good things about you from Iris .I don't know you personally but thanks for your input and its good to see ya here glenda Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:09:59 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=36&id=1335#1342 B) The journal is handy for bird sitters as well as rehoming. When I had my back surgery the two people who came in to help with my parrots while I was in the hospital found them priceless mines of info about each individual bird. I also saw how much easier it was to help my rehomed Amazons to settle in two and a half years ago when I inherited them because I had 'inside information' on their likes and dislikes -- they are as different from one another as night and day, with one being a totally hand fed baby and the other a wild caught juvenile youngster. It was much harder to settle my cock and then my hen Meyers, as I had absolutely no info on the cock and just a smidge on the hen. Trial and error can be such a trial!!! (pun intended).:-D http://www.members.companionparrot.com/images/fbfiles/images/Hobbs1.jpg Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:50:13 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=36&id=1318#1332 Thank you Haxton, Hard to look at, but if we don't, then it is like burying our heads in the sand and then nothing will ever get changed. Iris Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:16:04 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=32&id=1271#1319 As a non-RMSA member, I agree the club is not in any way directly responsible for Ms McManus' behavior. Members of the club tried to help her clean up, tried to show her the error of her ways and probably did report her to animal control. (It always takes these agencies a while to respond.) This is what friends do. Unfortunately, when Board members and general members allowed her to run for office, allowed her to hold prestigious positions in the club, knowing what her cages looked like, how her birds lived, etc, THAT was enabeling a hoarder. As a former hoarder, I have to say that was irresponsible of the club and could have been an opportunity to change Ms McManus in a quiet, nonpublic manner. But now, the truth is out, Ms McManus is no longer on the Board and the furvor is dying. It is important to now make sure it doesn't happen again and to make sure the club continues to fulfil it's mission of companion bird education. To that goal, all members are needed and those who left should return. Don't let her separate you from the club that has done so much good. Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:03:46 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=6&id=1207#1309 Anyone helped you yet? I know if you have a username/password, then if you go to the menu bar up top, you can click on "members." A little menu will come down and you can go to "my profile." The magazines can be downloaded from there. If you don't have a username and password, I believe you need to contact the site's admin. I can't help with that. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:32:14 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=36&id=966&limit=6&start=18#1244 For your information ... I have removed a post from someone called something like "non caged bird" because instead af addressing the topic at hand, they chose to use the forum to bash a particular person and to espouse their rigid philosophy that any bird in a cage or with trimmed wings is being abused. In the rules of this list, I make it very clear that this type of message is unacceptable. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:26:21 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=23&id=451#1146 My all time favorite parrot ad was for United Airlines. You could hear Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue playing on the piano from outside of a window. Then the camera slowly went into the window to the piano. Then you saw that it was a Blue and Gold Macaw playing the piano. It was a stunning ad. I can't find it on youtube But this one is probably my other favorite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgjxnHMF0zs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgjxnHMF0zs Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:58:26 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=32&id=994&limit=6&start=6#1089 To remain quiet in the face of the knowledge abuse is being perpetrated is to become complicit in the abuse. Remember, one is not 'turning them in' out of spite or for some financial gain, hopefully. It is purely because the abused have no voice/power of their own and cannot effect the needed improvement for themselves that the report is being made. No matter how badly I may be thought of by others after reporting an abuser, I will know I have done the right thing and ended the abuse. It takes courage to speak up sometimes, luckily, Sally did; and applaud her for that. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:33:42 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=36&id=1006#1008 Hi, Sally, Thanks so much for your thorough response. I have always greatly respected your insights. I will definitely look into the articles re parrot sexual behavior. You referred to Pickle completing her cycle. How would I know when the cycle is completed? Would she start spending less time in the drawer? And generally, can this nesting behavior go on for several weeks before it (hopefully) goes away? And here's an even weirder question: My partner Dave is considering a short road trip. At this point, do you think it would be traumatic for Pickle to be without her male "provider" for a few days, or might it help her get unstuck from her behavior? I wish you and your animal companions the very best (and I just might be interested in ordering one of your great parrot artworks!). Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:45:16 -0700 http://www.members.companionparrot.com/index.php/home/forums?func=view&catid=36&id=1003#1003 Blue headed macaws, cuban and tucaman amazons may be euthanized?! This is an outrage! http://parrotconsultations.blogspot.com/2009/12/endangered-parrots-to-possibly-be.html Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:23:00 -0700