Happiness and pets.

One of the antidotes to stress and worries of life is nature and animals. The beauty of nature just amazes me. I always think flowers and beautiful gardens are a glimpse of what heaven might be like. The stars, moon, rainbows... it is all incredible to me. And seeing these things and being somewhere where I can see the sea or watch the birds always has a wonderful effect on me. It is good therapy, it's calming and peaceful. We just need to be in the real world.

Pets kind of bring nature right up close! What sweetness they bring into our lives. Sweetness and trust.

Well, this is the story of our new pet! I had no intention of getting a new animal... but here we are with a new addition! 

My Mum has a house one street away from our house. She is on the farm and has this little place in the city which she uses quite a lot. Anyway I am often running over there to water the garden and one thing or another. Every time I walk over or back I pass a tiny house on the corner and a little bell rings. Like a dinner bell... and I always wonder WHO rings that bell and what does it mean?

Finally a couple of months ago I was talking to another lady who lives just next to this house. And I said "who rings that bell!?" She told me it is Ricky, he can hear peoples footsteps and he rings his bell. My mind exploded thinking what the heck who is this person!? 

Well, Ricky is a parrot. lol And it turns out the lady I am speaking to feeds him everyday and she takes me in to see who is ringing this mystery bell! 

Oh my goodness! You know I like birds and here is a beautiful friendly parrot saying hello to me.

And what a sad story. The lady feeds him as the old man who owned him died several years ago.  The mans wife then fed Ricky but she is now ill and elderly and has gone into a nursing home. No one lives there. Just Ricky.  The neighbour Pauline has kindly gone in and fed and watered him and talked to him, every day ever since. And before actually as the old lady no longer could even get outside to do these things. But in between Ricky is all on his own with no one to talk to and so he rings his bell whenever he hears footsteps....

I could cry.

Well, you know what happened next... I said I will take him, I love birds and he can come live with me. 

For the next three weeks I went over and fed and talked to him as he has been there for years... and he soon was friendly with me and eating from my hand. I took him different foods and soon found apples were his favourite and so far they still win! I note he eats up and down avoiding the peel and then when it's only peel left he throws it away. Like a kid.

Last weekend we finally moved him to our place. He didn't skip a beat. He seems so happy! He is just interested in everything we do. He can hear Andy's van coming up the back lane and the garage door open and he starts singing and ringing that bell!

He eats out of my hand and is just as good as gold.

He was just so lonely and this had gone one for several years. If I had known ... but I had no idea he was there.

The thing is the day I moved him I just decided to do it. It was time. It was daunting as I had to catch him... but it was easy in the end.

Once I got him home and he settled in and was eating etc I got a message that the old lady had just died. How strange is that? 

He is truly a wonderful addition and he is funny and sweet. I just love him!

He gets so much company now and I note I can hear Andy talking to him when I'm in the kitchen and he thinks I can't hear :)

But it is mutual he keeps me company and is so lovely to have around.

And he is a good dancer. Any music or rhythm and off he goes which the first time was just so funny I could hardly believe it. 

So this is one of those things that I think is just meant to be and you couldn't plan for it in a thousand years!

Have a wonderful weekend. xxx