| The "Other" Residents of Gryphon Farm |
| This is the "main page" for pictures for the non-doggie residents of Gryphon Farm. Enjoy:-) |
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| (Please be patient while these pages and the links are being built ... check back again soon, we look forward to seeing you again!) |
| Meet The Birds ... |
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| The feathered residents of Gryphon Farm were the original animal members of my household. I had wanted a malamute for years, but was unable to commit to one until I was better settled - and had the physical space. Yet impatient for pets to share my life, I got my first parrots while living in New York City. Naturally, the feathered menangerie has changed a bit in years since then. For those that might not be aware, parrots are considered one of the most intelligent animal groups on our planet, akin - at a minimum - to dolphins and chimpanzees. Living with them is a joy and a challenge, and I can't imagine life without these extraordinary creatures. It is truly humbling to watch their intelligence and personalities in action, and to see how they adapt to life with you. Below is a brief history of each, and once I get the pages built, a click on their picture will take you to more pictures of the rascal in question. All - except perhaps the rescue Max - were born and raised in the United States. |
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| Vargo Next came Vargo the severe macaw, a species indigenous to central South America. He was born in Florida and hand-raised and weaned in New York. His species is the largest of the so-called "mini macaws". Like most of his species, Vargo is definitely a one-person bird, but he is also of the laughingly called "sweet sub-species" - in other words, he will actually be civil to others rather than try to tear their hands off. Vargo came a few months after Jake, in November of 1996 as a newly-weaned youngster. Vargo has been an incredible companion, loving and sweet and abolutely devoted. I fell in love with him from the day I met him, and know we were meant for each other - he had been promised to another, a lady who backed out just before she was to bring him home. Vargo is definitely one-of-a-kind, and holds a very special place in my heart. |
| Zorro February 1996 - November 2001 Zorro (who really should have been Zarra once I realized her feminine sex) was born and raised in New York City. She was a moustache parakeet, a species from the Vietnam area. She was a unique and charming little girl, very reserved, but with a keen observing eye and a loving heart - and a startling intelligence. She also spoke volumes, though much of it while mumbling to herself. She died due to unfortunate circumstances while I was on vacation, and is sorely missed. She lies outside the birds' room under a lovely maple tree, and this spring (2002) I planted a garden there just for her, with shrubs and perennials exhibiting her varied and gorgeous colors in their flowers and leaves. She may be gone from the earth, but exists forever in my heart. |
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| Griffin My goofy goffins cockatoo Griffin came in the summer of 1997. Goffins originate from the small island of Tanimbar off of Indonesia, and are severely endangered in the wild (though their captive populations appear to still be healthy). Griffin was also raised in New York City, and was actually brought into the store for someone else, where he went after he was weaned. However, fate is a funny thing - I had visited Griffin during his weaning stage through the spring and summer, to help socialize him and in order to decide whether a Goffins was right for me. It was hard to see him go to his new family. But then, the day I called the store owner to request that he obtain a Goffins from the next clutch, Griffin's briefly-former owners had decided to bring him back! and so he came truly home. Griffin came with some resulting baggage (so much transition at this crucial stage is a very difficult thing for the sensitive cockatoos), but with much patience and love he has become a very well-adjusted, laid back little crazy man. "Griffin" is actually the Ango-cized version of Gryphon, and he was named for those mythical creatures for similar reasons to the adoption of the name for my kennel - like malamutes, Goffins cockatoos are michevious, intelligent, and love to get into trouble. He has the quirkiest habits of all my birds, and keeps you laughing! You simply cannot be sad around a Goffins. |
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| Jake Jake, a peach-fronted conure, was my first birdie buddy. While his species originates in northern South America, Jake was born in New Jersey and weaned in New York. I got him in the early fall of 1996, a hand-fed youngster who had been allowed to go a bit "wild" before I got him. He never did settle down well, and in the fall of 2001 the "right" home came along, and he was placed in with a wonderful loving family who spoils him like crazy. He is dearly missed, but as he is so obviously happy I cannot regret the decision. His new family sends me regular updates, and loves the little guy to pieces. |
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| Calypso - "Caly" Then came Caly (a.k.a. Calypso), my little recue bird. Caly is a bare-eyed (or Little Corella) cockatoo, a species common in Australia. Bare-eyeds are sometimes considered less than beautiful, but I see nothing but her vibrant and beautiful spirit when I look at her - and never have seen anything but beauty in Caly. There is no question that Caly lives up to the charming character bare-eyeds are so well known for, and she also demonstrates their uncanny intelligence - LIttle Corellas are considered one of the two most intelligent of all parrot species, along with the Moluccan cockatoo. From her leg band, I knew she had been born in Hawaii, and apparently ended up somewhere in the Seattle area. I found her in a local pet store, abused, hurt, malnutritioned, and scared. SHe had simply been dumped, in a small and undescribably filthy cage. But somehow, she retained a definite spark of pure good will, and took a fancy to me. While I was most definitely NOT looking to add another bird, I couldn't get that silly little girl out of my mind - or my heart. About three months later (November of 1998) I adopted her, and she spent two months in quarantine in the home of a very good friend who treated her like the queen she is before coming truly home. The vet confirmed physical abuse, and emotional abuse became apparent through her behavior. It was quite a while before she truly trusted again, but you could almost see the moment a year or so later when she finally let go of the past. This girl had clearly been loved at some point, and is a true testament to the resiliance of these beautiful creatures in how she held on to the happier side of her experience. She also loves to dance, yes dance! especially to lively lilting music - thus her name. She charms everyone she meets, gives kisses with abandon, giggles with absolute delight, and can put you in stiches from laughing so hard. Quite a character, this one!! and a precious, precious love. |
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| Max Last but certainly not least is Max, an Eleanora (or possibly a Greater Sulfer Crested) cockatoo, also a rescue. Max's history is long and complicated, and much of it lies in shadows. In brief, he came to a friend of mine in New Jersey after many other homes, some abusive, some loving. Max and I fell in love some years ago, and last August of 2001 he came to live here for good. Max is guessed to be about 12 years old, and I am his 9th or 10th home. It will be a long, long road for him, as his trust has been shattered too many times to count - but like Caly he has shown an amazingly resilient nature, and a true desire to reach out. He is quite the ham, and loves visitors - and oddly enough, is the one bird unphased by the dogs. While it will take a while for him to accept much physical affection, he shakes hands through the cage bars, gives kisses, and generally loves to shows off (especially those beautiful head feathers and a rather charming reperatoire). He is getting braver and braver outside the cage, and so it will just be a matter of time. Such a beautiful soul is truly worth the wait, and deserves no less. |
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| The Horse ... |
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| The Sheep ... |
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| The Cats ... |
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| Naomi and Winona These guys came to me as "living lawnmowers" for the field in the fall of 2001 - and are suprisingly charming and personable. Mom Naomi is a pureberd Romney, and her daughter Winona is a Romney-CVM Romnedale cross born in the spring of 2001. Both love petting and of course tasty treats, and Winona even choses to hang out with puppy Luna when given the chance! Strange, but heartwarming:-) In the pictures, mom Naomi has the black nose, Winona the pink nose. UPDATE: With the addition of Tuh-Biya, the pasture was a bit strained and the sheeps' role as lawnmowers was no longer necessary. Plus, they were a bit scared of the horse :-) Naomi and Winona have now found a new home with a wonderful family, where they are pampered and adored by three generations. |
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| Ibn Tuh-Biya Tuhotmosson - F.A. Sh-Biya Tuh-Biya is a bay full-blooded Egyptian Arabian horse . Tuh-Biya came here in the spring of 2002, having lived the previous seven years with a close friend. He joined Gryphon Farm at 14 years old as an active pleasure and trail horse, and is a welcome addition! Tuh-Biya has been trained in dressage and conformation showing, and more recently western and trail, and is a pleasure in all respects. He is very well trained and extremely well-mannered, and is exceptionally sweet natured. He's also gentle as can be with children, an important trait for the benefit of my little niece. Yet he still carries that proud Arabian spirit and loves to show off. He also talks up a storm and acts like a puppy half the time, following at your heels and nosing pockets for treats, and giving horsey love nuzzles whenver he can reach you. Most of all, he has a heart of gold. He is a true gentleman with just enough sass and silliness.. |
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| Coquette This young girl came to me from the local Humane Society. She was guessed to be about two years old (as of fall of 2001), and is pleasantly mellow and friendly with exquisite house manners. |
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| Katrina a.k.a. "Kitty" ??? - April 2001 This pretty old girl was 'inherited' with the house, and passed away at what is guessed to be about 22 years old. She was fondly remembered by the children of her former mistress, and lived a contented life as an able barn cat. |
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