My Story

Dear God, remind us how important it is to always have a sense of humor.
Help us to renew and refresh ourselves with little mirth breaks to ease the
tensions and stress that so often feed our weary spirits.
Strengthen our frienships and special relationships with sustainable smiles
and cheerful attitudes. AMEN

Since I can remember I have been a fond lover of birds, in fact all animals, especially dogs and cats.

Luckily I had parents who felt the same, my first dog was a collie, I remember his name, Nicky. I was very little, a toddler in fact I do remember though that he always lay beside my cot and bed.  Sadly he was run over by a doctor rushing to an emergency. I still have a photo of him somewhere.

My first cat was a big black and white tabby, his name was just Tabby.  I do not know what happened to him as I was in hospital for 2 years with a collapsed lung.  During this time, my parents moved into a tenement flat in Glasgow, Scotland.  When I was allowed home from the hospital, my parents bought me my first bird.

A Budgerigar, I named him Joey, later on it became clear that  Joey was a she, my aunt received the male, Corky.
Joey was blue and Corky was green.  Joey, one day fell into my glass of lukozade at the side of my bed, luckily we got her out before she could drown. She lived for about 5 years then she got egg bound and died.

We left Glasgow and moved to Paisley, Scotland, when I was 10years old.  My aunt then got me a puppy, a whippet called Brandy, then my parents bought me 2 white Budgerigar's, Snowy and Snow.  When I was 12years old, Snow fell off the ladders in his cage caught his leg and died with a broken neck.  Snowy died shortly after, my dad thought she had a broken heart after losing her mate.

A few weeks later, Brandy developed a brain tumor, and the vet said we had to put her to sleep, my mum brought her home first, to allow me to say goodbye. I was determined then that I would take Brandy, her blanket, dishes and leash, my post office saving stamp book and run away back to Glasgow to my aunt. I was sure she could heal Brandy. I never got very far, as the local Police bobby knew my father, and found me walking along the road with all my worldly possessions.  When he asked me where I was going, I was in tears as I told him my story. He then took me home. That was the day that I lost my beloved friend and companion, he followed me to school would go home and then come and meet me again after school.

We had been inseparable. I was so broken hearted, I had lost my birds and my dog within 2 months. I was so ill that my mother took me to the doctor, he recommended that I have no more pets until I was older. 

It was only when I came to SouthAfrica in the 70's that my husband and I bought a puppy for my 2 children.  The next day it was stolen from our garden.  A friend then had a 3year old Doberman Pinscher that she was looking for someone to look after, they had to move into a flat until they could find another house to buy.  The dogs name was Susie, and at first we were very wary of her, as I had only known Dobermans as very fierce guards dogs before. She was an angel, excellent with the children, and watched them like they were her own children.

After 3 months my friend found a house and I took Susie back to them, an hour later I heard her barking outside, she had run away and came hack to us.  This happened 3 times, even after being locked up  for a week .  Eventually they told us we could keep her.

That was when I decided to breed her, and let them have the pick of the litter.  I read up on everything I could find on Doberman Pinscher's and breeding. I registered as a breeder with KUSA.  I have had 11 Doberman's through the years.  I no longer breed them but I still have 2 male Doberman's, Duke who is now 10, and Apollo who is 17 months.

In the past I have bred German Shepherds, Quaver, Hirundo (Rundo), Kirsch, and Zena. I  had strays whom I have adopted.  I also have a mixed Chow, (Baby) who used to belong to my daughter, who lives 1 stand away from mine, but she eventually turned up at my door and decided to stay.  I still love my Doberman's though.  I also have 3 cats, Black Jack, Capri and Lady.  I have also had 2 horses, Goldie (A palomino) and her foal (Gambit).

Now I am a breeder of birds, quite by accident though.  I bought 2 young Plumhead females, and then 2 young males and eventually an Aviary.  The females kept escaping their cages, and as my windows and doors were usually open I was afraid they would fly out.

I went on a holiday for 3 months to Britain, the first time in 35 years that I had went back.  The week before I was due back, my eldest daughter and husband installed a 4 cage Aviary in my garden, full of birds, Sun Conure's, Plumhead's, Moustache Parakeet's and Cockatiel's.  They could no longer keep them.  Now I was officially a breeder.

I now have Sun Conure's, Jenday Conure's, Ringneck's, Cockatiel's, Budgerigar's, and a female Rainbow Lorikeet called Star.  My birds all have their own names that  are to numerous to mention here.   I hand-rear all the chicks, when they are 3 weeks old before selling them to approved buyers only after I make sure they are fully weaned and can fly with fully developed strong muscles in their wings.  I try to keep in touch afterwards, and I encourage the new owner's to give me feedback on all of my babies.

I now have a new addition to my birds, Sam, a beautiful 3 year old peach face Love bird. Her owner needed to find a new home, after coming to check me and my birds out, she decided to bring Sam to me. She has a birth defect in one of her feet, but she manages okay with it. She is a very stubborn little bird, and after a few nips and squeeks she has settled down. I placed her cage next to Star the Rainbow Lorikeet, they are now good bosum buddies, and when released from their cages every evening before being covered for the night. They now jostle for my attention.

Sunday 11.10.2009

I have decided to keep the 2 young female Sun Conures that I have hand-reared, Attie is now 2 years old and Sonny will be 1 year old on Xmas day. My pet Sun Conures need mates. One I will call Shakira, the other Cleo.

Attie and Sonny help with the hand-rearing by teaching the babies to taste the food, they also preen the babies and teach them to fly and bathe. So the young females are already known to them, and in time will more than likely pair up.

          

 Sunday 14.03.2010

My flock keeps on growing, I now have Reagus, a beautiful 10 yr old Sun Conure, and a large beautiful 8 yr old Blue Crested Conure. These 2 birds were given to me as their owners could not keep them. 
They will eventually settle in and learn to trust me. Love, kindness and good healthy food will, with the Lords help win their trust.