Question for Leaford

[Michelle43]

How is Mike doing?

I watched many of your videos and came to adore your bird. I sure would be missing my pets if I was gone for a few months.

Funny and true story. My dog has never in her 6 years of life reacted to a sound from the TV or computer, but when she hears Mike on your videos she goes running out of the room I guess I wont be getting a bird of my own as long as she runs this house.

 

[leaford]

I love Mike, and miss him a LOT. I have my neighbors checking on him and topping off his food and water. And I set things up as best as I can to stay "in touch" with him, and interact and play with him, even from China.

I set my computer up with GotoMyPC, so I can log into my computer at home; I bought a webcam, and pointed it at Mike's cage; and created a second Skype account from the one I use day to day.

That way I can log onto my home PC, start a skype video call from it, and answer it from here. Then Mike can see me, and I can see him. And BOY does he react!!

So I spend a few minutes every morning (my time) before it gets dark in SF, and a few minutes every night (my time) just after it gets light in SF, whistling, kissing, and talking back and forth with Mike.

It's not really satisfying, of course. In fact, sometimes it feels like it's breaking my heart in two, worse than if I didn't see him at all. Especially when I have to say "Bye bye, Mike," and hear him start to plead, "C'mere! C'mere!" But really, it would hurt a LOT worse if I didn't at least have that.

 

[Belletrist]

oh, that's so great. i mean, that you can set up like that--very clever too!!!

i have 6 (yes, 6) dogs and am already anxious about being away for 4 days to visit a friend later this month. silly, i spent the last ten years travelling tons (USAF) but it seems harder to be away from animals because you can't just show them an itinerary, and say, 'it's just temporary, love you still!'

and dogs aren't particularly savvy about skype calls.

 

[Pawpaw]

i spent the last ten years travelling tons (USAF)

I just KNEW you had some USAF affiliation! Nobody, but NOBODY else uses the phraze "top 3" and "MSgt", much less in the same sentence!

Most people wouldn't even know what a MSgt is, that's why I spell it out.

Gotcha!

 

[Sheryl]

Can you bring him back to China when you're home in March?

 

[cr12]

im sure there is a international problem with carrying pets from one country to the other without a ****ton of redtape, due to different diseases that could be transferred from one to the other and vice versa.

 

[Belletrist]

huah! yup yup... i didn't even realize i used top 3 anywhere. hubs was USAF too.

I just KNEW you had some USAF affiliation! Nobody, but NOBODY else uses the phraze "top 3" and "MSgt", much less in the same sentence!

Most people wouldn't even know what a MSgt is, that's why I spell it out.

Gotcha!

 

[leaford]

Can you bring him back to China when you're home in March?

im sure there is a international problem with carrying pets from one country to the other without a ****ton of redtape, due to different diseases that could be transferred from one to the other and vice versa.

Pretty much. I haven't looked into Chinese regulations, but I know that to import a parrot into the US requires a 6 month quarantine, and wouldn't be surprised at all if it were the same for China. So, that'll have to wait until I am sure of a LOOOOONG stay here.

 

[henrid84]

How is Mike doing?


Funny and true story. My dog has never in her 6 years of life reacted to a sound from the TV or computer, but when she hears Mike on your videos she goes running out of the room

my cat does the same thing. she'll circle the screen trying to find it.

 

[Michelle43]

Glad to hear Mike is doing well Must be so hard to be away from him.

Also glad to hear my pet isn't the only one who has a strong reaction to him.

 

[Taryn]

My pet does too!! Well ok my cat and dog ignore it but my boyfriend always yells "What the hell is that???!!!"

 

[~Gazoo~]

Especially when I have to say "Bye bye, Mike," and hear him start to plead, "C'mere! C'mere!" But really, it would hurt a LOT worse if I didn't at least have that.

I have never had a parrot but I have heard that when they say something they are really thinking it. They are incredibly smart. I understand what you and Mike are going through...but it's better that you and Mike can communicate so you know each other is ok...rather than have no communication. Hang in there Leaford....

 

[Pawpaw]

huah! yup yup... i didn't even realize i used top 3 anywhere. hubs was USAF too.

Good on you both!

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/vapor4life/57458-cartomizers-vg.html#post862759

 

[Belletrist]

that's okay, i was talking to my husband about my 'new favorite belt', it's a quiksilver or something, and he was like... hon... that's practically a regulation bdu belt that has white stitching and a logo on the buckle. *sighs* for being intel i don't do well at going undercover as a civilian.

 

[Pawpaw]

Intel, huh? I dealt with a lot of those types when I was active duty.

I was in Secure Communications.

 

[leaford]

I have never had a parrot but I have heard that when they say something they are really thinking it. They are incredibly smart. I understand what you and Mike are going through...but it's better that you and Mike can communicate so you know each other is ok...rather than have no communication. Hang in there Leaford....

That's not always true, it depends on how they're taught. But it is true in Mike's case. I never taught him phrases as a trick, he learned them because I would say them to him, so he learned them in their context and understands (basically) what they mean.

 

[Michelle43]

That's not always true, it depends on how they're taught. But it is true in Mike's case. I never taught him phrases as a trick, he learned them because I would say them to him, so he learned them in their context and understands (basically) what they mean.

Does it sound like your voice too? That would be soo freaky

 

[leaford]

Well, kinda. He sounds like I used to when I was smoking 2 packs+ a day.

 

[Belletrist]

yup, pawpaw, cryptolinguist...

leaford, that's so cool that mike knows words in context. i'm continually amazed at how animals can adapt to human communication methods--how willing they are to do so. we could learn something from them.

 

[leaford]

Yeah, he knows that "come here" means I want him to come to me, or he wants me to come to him; he knows that "say good night Mike" means he gets to go to sleep; that you say "Hello" when the phone rings; "Is it good" is how he asks me to share some of my food with him; "Give me a kiss" is the one that he misuses the most often, sometimes he really wants a kiss, but usually he just uses it to say he wants something, and it's up to me to figure out what.