Wow. It's a good thing I was working late. Everyone was gone and, absorbed in my work, I didn't realize how late it was. I looked up to see Pippin standing atop a grape-vine wreath toy that we bought about a month ago. He was just standing there as he often does, atop it... but then I realized--he was stuck. His foot was caught somehow.

I went to look. A twig from the grapevine wreath had slid and then jammed into his leg band. No one else home, and what to do? The toy was zip-tied to the bars, and the scissors were nowhere to be seen. I fought panic as I looked around my study for them, and then Pippin began to struggle to get free, especially as I was about to leave the room to get scissors.

Cautiously, I put my hand in to see if I could break the twig off to free him, but no dice. Pippin started BITING my hand, and grabbed it with his other claw and HELD ON. I finally--after blood-drawing bites--got free of him, left the room for one minute praying madly, and then saw the strong scissors on my art-teacher daughter's bedroom desk. I grabbed them, and approached the cage. Luckily, Pippin was just standing there. He didn't freak out. MY heart was pounding, and I was praying hard. As I approached the cage, he shied and struggled as he saw the scissors coming at his feet. YIKES!

I knew I was going to get bitten again, and hard, but the adrenaline carried me through. I put my hand in, and Pippin latched on with his beak and i managed to cut the twig that held his foot and pull him (with it still lodged in his leg band) out. By God's grace, the leg seemed uninjured!

I held him on my hand and we both calmed down. He was bothered by the twig caught in the band (about 2" long), but growled at me when I tried to touch it. Then, in a twinkling, it was all over. He simply took it and slid it out from the band and was FREE! Trembling in every limb, with a VERY bloody, throbbing thumb--there are at least five separate, deep wounds--I cuddled my boy and thanked the Lord. Then, I put him down and took the scissors to the zip ties, and yanked that toy right out of the cage.

A few minutes more of cuddles, and letting him walk around on a leg that really seems thoroughly fine, I put him to bed.

What I'm probably MOST grateful for is that Pippin has always been a "sane" caique. Whether at the vet or getting toenails clipped, or during harness training, he just doesn't freak out. *I* do! Most often, in emergency situations like that, I can really react badly. In the midst of it, I kept praying for the strength I knew I didn't have to keep working to free Pippin even if he was going to be injured. In the end, we were both calm--I knew it was ALL up to me (with God's help, of course, but no other humans around)--and I am truly amazed that I was able to free him and that he didn't injure himself as far as I can tell. He stood on the leg, walked about, hopped, etc. I don't even mind that I was so badly bitten now that Pippin is safe. I'm just thanking my good God for help in a real time of need!

OH: PS... I was going to go out tonight with my hubby on a speaking engagement, but we both just felt "led" for me to stay home tonight. Guess now I now why. Thank you, Jesus!

Pippin has a number!

Pippin turns 1 today! It's his hatch day. :D

I am SO glad that I chose this species of parrot. His size, his playfulness, his coloring--all are daily delights to me and to my family. Because of his excellent early care at breeders' (DJ Feathers), Pippin is extremely well socialized. We have our daily routines, and yet we have our fun surprises and new enduring antics that keep us in stitches.

Happy hatch day, Pippin! Thanks for all the joy so far, and may you have many more!