Dakota - My Brazilian Greenwing
Mary
My experience with The Tropics is a bit unusual. I had had smaller birds growing up. I knew what I wanted a Brazilian Greenwing, they are a rare sub species of Greenings that are as large or in some cases larger than Hyacinths. Greenwings are also considered gentle giants like the Hyacinth and are considered to be among the smartest of the parrot family. I went for my dream, and before Dakota my Greenwing was born I rescued a Shamrock named Caesar. I had done every bit of research I knew what I was bringing into my life were perpetual children. I loved it. The one thing I never planed for was to be struck down by fibromyalgia, a MS type condition that can leave you unable to leave your bed.
I was at my mothers in VA when I first talked to Mary and John, and they came up to VA to pick up Caesar, my hope being that I could handle 1 bird. It wasn't much more than a month when I became even sicker and John and Mary drove all the way to Delaware to pick up Dakota.
Our friendship grew and I went into remission. I was able to spend time at the Tropics with some other women from my area to let Mary and John have a well deserved break.
At that time I brought both of my guys home to a new aviary we had built for them, no cages, 2 banks of 4 vita lights, a custom designed play stand a friend had made from my design. They had a 15 x17 Aviary, including TV and a VCR. My husband put in a remote camera so I could keep an eye on them while I worked at home during the day. In the evening I would bring my guys up and from 5pm to 8 pm was theirs, no interruptions allowed. Caesar all of a sudden developed an over bond with me. He would not let me near Dakota. I could play with them separately, and they were fine together, but when I was around Caesar would attack me to drive me away from Dakota. I knew Caesars past had been a horrible one, but I could not let that affect Dakota so we (Mary and I) decided to put Caesar back in The Tropics. He now lives in the dome with Montgomery a Ruby Macaw and they are 2 happy birds. They are still "mine" but I would not dream of changing their lives, they are happy, and I can see them whenever I wish.
Things with Dakota went well for a long time then I had a bad relapse. I just could not spend the 2 hours it took to clean the aviary and the 3 hours a 4-year-old Greenwing needs to play. I was lucky one of our volunteers wanted Dakota, he is very bonded with their daughter Myra, and in the process I have had the fortune to become part of their family. Dakota will have one human companion his whole life, Myra. Though I miss his presence I know all I have to do is go down to NC to see him. He is doing great. He adores Myra.
All of this left me with no parrot to share my life with. I had a hole in my heart you could drive a Mack truck through. Mary suggested I take Gabby a female Ecluctus who had a habit of chewing her feathers, but not plucking. My lifesaver, I re named her Myra after Dakotas's new love. Mary and John gave me such a gift, Myra is a pretty large female Ecluctus, but most of all she is my love. I feel God knows all the heartache I endured, and gave me this precious gift in Myra. Myra is 10, she had never laid eggs while at the Tropics, but right now I have 2 infertile eggs and Myra wants me to feed her as if I was a male Ecluctus. She is my joy. She has a habit of chewing her feathers on her body, so what I have is a red and gray Ecluctus. I do know since I provided her with a tent, she has stopped chewing her feathers. I do not know if this will last, and do not care, to me she is a beauty when she is red and gray. Nothing fills my heart with joy as when she cuddles under my neck and say's "I love you".
So between the Tropics and God everything turned out as it should be. Even on my worst days I can care for Myra, she loves my waterbed, and diving under my comforter playing with my toes then popping her hear out saying "tickle tickle tickle.
Caesar and Montgomery are happy in the dome. Dakota is happy in his new home that brought me a new extended family, and Myra is the joy of my life.
I had always been a big bird person, but the Tropics has shown me how to love the smallest parrots. Myra is large for an Ecluctus, but perfect for me.
In this testimonial I feel that I have to disclose Mary and John asked me to become a member of the Tropics Board, I gladly accepted, I wish I was wealthy enough to give them enough to take in any bird who needs sanctuary. My being a board member does not exempt me from the same problems as anyone else; it just gives me a chance to help Mary and John as much as I can. So this is my story, a happy one.
I have to say this. The Tropics still needs your donations even though we are downsizing. We still need to feed and shelter our remaining flock along with any Vet bills we incur, so PLEASE do not stop sending in those donations, we really need them desperately.
Thanks for listening to my story and my plea for your continued support,
June Reed-Lombardo
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