We all miss you little Bogey.
Twenty-nine years ago a small parrot joined our family. We named him "Bogey". He was actually my son's middle school graduation gift. Species name: Nanday Conure - about ten inches in length. He lived in a combination cage with stand. The top of the cage was about 48" high and the bottom of the cage was about German Shepherd nose height.
A Nanday Conure is definitely not a good choice for every family - he was loud, and ornery. He seemed to have been born with a persecution complex. He came across as fearless, but he wasn't. He had quite a few fears, but he subscribed to the theory that attack was the best defense. He also had his wonderful White Shepherds to protect him. He loved them and the feeling was mutual. He began their training the same. Standing on the floor of his cage, nose to nose with each new pup, he threatened with open beak. The minute they stepped back, he knew he had 'the power' and the friendship was on. Bogey barked and he growled. He never spoke a human word that was really understandable. I believe he never felt anyone ever said anything to him that deserved an answer. "Polly want a cracker?" ... what the heck! He did not like a lot of people, but he never met a German Shepherd he did not like. They also liked him and they respected him.
Bogey was aware of various things the dogs barked at and when the dogs missed them, or were in another room, Bogey called out to them to tell them to get on the job. They always came running. Bogey would listen to them bark and stand with a self-satisfied expression, having sent his dogs to defend.
Bogey was a good traveler and he enjoyed traveling in the motor home. He was an excellent guard bird. When anyone came near the motor home, he announced them. The tresspassers invariably looked up, which always tickled me. I invisioned their expectation of seeing something resembling "Rodan". Bogey was a gourmet and he ate whatever he could mouch from anyone. When we sat at the dining table I always gave him his own little dish with a sampling of everything I was serving. I did this, not so much because he needed it as to keep him from screaming. As he checked plates, if he saw one item that he was missing on his plate, he threw a fit. He often shared his food with the dogs. He even seemed to enjoy tossing out bites of things that were in his dish, that he did not want. They waited gratefully and that seemed to please him. I cannot imagine why they enjoyed bird seed, but they seemed like it if he gave it to them.
Lately, Bogey seemed to have mellowed a little. I took him to the vet on a more regular basis. Every vet told me he would probably not last a lot longer, but they had been telling me that for at least five or six years. Bogey ate well and he ate everything he could talk anyone into giving him. He loved vegetables, fruits, meat, all dairy products and well, actually I cannot think of anything he would not try and usually he liked it. He loved to take baths and most of all he loved interacting with the dogs. I believe he liked me, but he did not hesitate to bite me if I did something he did not like. I never saw him bite a dog. If he wanted to find me he would slide down the legs of his cage stand, fireman style. He then walked all over the house until he located me. If a dog looked at him, as he passed it, he would threaten with his beak. They never called him on it though. Sometimes they followed him at a safe distance to see where he was going. When he found me he would climb up my pant leg so I could put him on my shoulder. He liked to snuggle on my shoulder, under my hair if I was wearing it down.
When we moved to the Northwest, Bogey had the most wonderful view he had ever had. He was at the end of the kitchen, by the breakfast bar window. He could see the main part of our property down to the road. He could see the Columbia River and the mountains beyond, on the Oregon side of the river. He enjoyed watching the dogs run the hill side and practice agility. He alerted the dogs whenever he saw anyone walking on the road.
I believe this was his favorite home. In warm weather he often got to go out on the deck to watch the humming birds. He was most awed by the barn swallows and their flying skills as they caught their own food. He was afraid of the huge Red Tailed Hawks and occasionally a nesting pair of Bald Eagles. He sent the dogs after them and though the dogs did not always seem to understand Bogey's fear, they accepted their role in defending him and they did a good job of it. I know Bogey was grateful, and though he was not a humble bird, he really did appreciate the care and concern that the dogs afforded him.
As he slowed down, Bogey and Journey seemed to have a super close relationship. Journey is a talker and he talked to Bogey a lot. He would stand at the cage and whimper softly. Bogie would slide down the bars and stand happily, visiting with Journey for long periods of time. All the dogs responded to Bogey and visited with him, but Journey was more in awe of him. Bogey liked that.
As I felt our time with Bogey slipping away, I lavished him with all the goodies he liked best. even more than usual. He enjoyed fresh raspberries, brown rice, snap peas in the pod, scrambled egg and a little yogurt on his last morning. He cuddled up in his fuzzy tent and took a nap.... and soon his gentle breathing had stopped. It was peaceful and everyone was aware and quiet. He will be missed so much, by all of us. Twenty-nine years ... hard to grasp that he is not here with us, where he belonged.
