Dilly - 9th Place
Congratulations to Barbara Cuyle and her bird Dilly.
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DILLY, FREDDIE, AND ME
Dilly is my 10 year old Peach-Face lovebird. We have a close-knit relationship, or did, until Freddie the Parrot, unraveled my one person, one lovebird household.
The fiasco started after I decided that Dilly needed a companion. His mate had died a few years before. My intentions had focused on a real bird, but, while thumbing through a catalog, a picture of a stuffed toy parrot on a battery base, literally, “Jumped off the Page.” The perfect solution, or so I thought.
I ordered the toy, and looked forward to Dilly’s reaction. After it arrived, I attempted to put a 9 volt battery in the base. However, it wasn’t as easy as falling off a log, but, after a few tries the battery was inserted. Dilly watched my every move as he sat in his cage. When I flipped the switch, then spoke a few words, he chirped. Dilly was in his glory. I named the parrot, Freddie, with never an inkling of what this feathered newcomer had in store for me. Every few weeks, the battery had to be changed, for Dilly was quite a chirper.
Then disaster struck! The battery base got wet, since Dilly likes Freddy inside the cage when I leave the house. So, after removing the battery, I placed Freddy on a table. Then Dilly put on an Oscar-winning performance. He flew to the table, then pushed the base with his beak toward the feathered bird. He wanted Freddie to chirp, but, his friend was silent.
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If I put Freddie on top of the cage, Dilly pushed him off, then waited for me to put his friend back. Finally, I discarded the base, and ordered another parrot. After Freddie #2’s arrival, things went pretty smooth for awhile.
However, one time while inserting the 9 volt, I pushed too hard and the cord inside the base came loose. And I wondered what else could happen. Well, it was another Oscar-winning performance by Dilly bird.
A fixer upper, I’m not, so it was out of the question to order another Freddie. One empty battery base and two feathered Freddies were enough.
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Dilly is still close with his silent friend. He kissed Freddie’s beak, and hides in his feathers. When I wash Freddie, Dilly does is acting bit, so, I give him Freddie #2. Strange as it may seem, Dilly flies to the wet Freddie, ignoring the dry one.
However, I miss the double chatting, so I ordered Freddie #3. It’s been an unusual several months since Freddie came into my household, but, Dilly is happy with his companion, and that’s important to me.
Dilly will always have the starring role, Freddie #1, #2, #3, supporting roles, and I’m the bit player.
My home is like a circus, especially with the arrival of Buddy, a Bichon Frise. But that’s another story.
All in all, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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