Kato

[BKHagar]

Please meet Kato, and beware- the first pictures look pretty rough. He is the victim of longs spells of isolation, due to an owner who began to travel 5-6 days out of every week, and who did not spend time with him when she WAS there. He is approx. 10 yrs. old- sex unknown at this time, though we may DNA test.

These two are from the first day we had him:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/kdolphin/Kato_a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/kdolphin/Kato_D.jpg

The next pic was taken a week later:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/kdolphin/e-KatoOnPerch.jpg

and these were at about 10 days!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/kdolphin/e-KatoOnArm.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v378/kdolphin/e-ArmsAroundKato.jpg

I hope to have new pics soon because he looks EVEN better now! No skin showing anywhere!! We are misting him a lot and he hates that, but it helps with all the new feathers coming in.

Just makes me want to weep to think of someone keeping this sweet and intelligent animal practically in a closet like that!! No sounds, no schedule- light or dark continually . . . No fresh foods . . . I will tell you that NOW, Kato is eating like a little pig!! He LOVED the fresh foods, and is a good eater! He steps up with hardly any hesitation now- at first, it was pretty tough! but he's beginning to trust us! He is whistling, clicking, clucking, and TALKING, too!! SO very fast! He is very smart, and eager to learn. I think he finds our chaos VERY stimulating, after being alone for SO long! He is still in isolation until the tests come back, but anxious to meet our other birds! He will whistle the first part of a wolf whistle and Chico, from the bird room, will finish it!!

Kato went for a checkup with our avian vet yesterday- first visit, and she wanted to keep him over night to get all the testing done that she thought should be done. We believe he is doing fine, and are anxious to get him back home again!

Smiles!

Kim

[Islandzoo]

Kim he may be a little bald, but he is still BEAUTIFUL :) He is lucky to have found you. there are some horrid people around

[BKHagar]

Thanks, Kristie! We were SHOCKED when we looked at the pictures later! It's true- all WE could see was a beautiful bird!! At this point, you cannot even see skin anywhere on him!! I just hope for his sake that he will keep up the good work! We are SO proud of him, and fell SO in love with him so quickly!

Just talked with the vet's office- they say he is good to go, and when test results get back from everything, the vet will call! Can't wait to hear!

Smiles!

Kim

[vmtwriter]

Some people should not be parents, no matter what species their "kid" is.:mad: I wish sometimes that parents could be certified first.:school:

It looks like Kato has found a loving and supportive home environment. :tighthug: I bet he'll even do better once he's vet cleared and you can integrate him with your other fids.

[amazing greys]

oh Kim!!!!! He's adorable!! Looked just like Sinbad too, and to know he's getting much better, warms my heart :heart:


He just needed someone to love on him and play, poor guy :(

Not DNA sexed? I really think he looks like a SHE ;) Sometimes hard to tell if the pic turned out light or not, but I swear he is a she!! Maybe as more feathers come in it might help to tell........but that's what I'm thinking :p but then again :shrug: well, you are just gonna have to test him, lol, I wanna know for sure, hehehe

Great pics Kim!!! Thank you so much for posting them...........and CONGRATS!!

[BKHagar]

Thanks, Vicki and Barb! He is a sweetie, and yes, it's just horrible what shape they let him get in before calling for help. I think this has been a repeating saga for the past 4 or 5 years . . . Sure hate she didn't DO something sooner for him, but now that we have him, we SURE hope to make up for all the bad he must think of the human race!! We will be crossing our fingers for more feathers every day! Hoping for red tail feathers! Right now he looks like a truck pulling out of Lowe's- one little red tail feather, like a flag tied to lumber! *grin*

Thank you ALL!

Hugs!

Kim

[Jean]

Awww Kim, Kato is such a sweetheart.:heart: It breaks my heart to see the abuse he has had to suffer. You'r off to a good start together, Kato is learning how wonderful it is to live in a home that showers him with love, good food, and good care. :wub: "Than you" for sharing Kato's story and pics. Kim, your looking as pretty as always! :highfive:

[amazing greys]

yeah Kim, I saw that single red tail feather :( poor guy. His wings suffered a great deal of feather loss too......that is so sad. Sinbad, wasn't as bad as Kato, he at least allowed his wing feathers to stay, but he also barbers his feathers too (mainly on his back), so his tail was pretty ratty when we got him. Even though he had some tail feathers, his vent area didn't, along w/his legs and chest of course.


How is Kato's demenor there? Is he timid and afraid, or opening up ok. Sinbad is such a timid little guy, that's what his problem comes down to. He visibly shakes if he's not comfortable in a different spot. If he's just hangin out in a spot he likes, he's great.

Did ya get a chance to see Sinbads updated feather pics too? He's got the most feathers he's ever had, still plucks some (but not much feathers, mainly could be down bits I find) and barbers a bit. But hopefully this will get less and less, as he opens up in our home also. He really enjoys it here, I can tell :heart: :D

[BKHagar]

Jean, you sweet crazy woman! *grin* Thanks! I hope Kato will be able to trust people again, though he really seems to be coming along with us just GREAT! How sad it must've been, for him to sit in a house that was silent, one small window, no fresh food, no companionship, about 4 old and faded toys in the cage, no schedule, no change in lighting- all lighted or all dark . . . Jeeees.

He is a sweetheart and now our goal is for him to be happy and healthy!

BIGHUGSTOYOU!

Kim (who is just fatter every day from sitting at a desk ALL the time!! *grin*)

[BKHagar]

Hey again, Barb! Kato is just changing before our very eyes!! He has not plucked a single feather since he has been with us, either! He DOES look pitiful . . . And yes! I did see Sinbad's pics- they are amazing!! He is going to be JUST fine!! Kato is very friendly, and getting to be as curious as a cat! He got down onto the floor one day and started to wander around! I had to put him back on the cage! LOL He wants to be scritched, and will put his head down when you come near, but then he gets a little scared, and will scare me to death by "almost" biting. Ken has had a really bad bite already, but I haven't had a bad one, and the night before last, I kind of rubbed him with the back of my hand! It's a step! Kato KNOWS when you say COOKIE!! and will come to the side of his cage, whether he's inside or out, to take one from your hand! It took over a week just to get him to take anything from us, and sometimes he still won't, but usually he will these days!

We go to pick him up after work- I'm SO anxious to see him since the vet's visit! I believe he will be REALLY glad to go "home!"

Hugs!

Kim

[amazing greys]

yup, those nips are fear bites, nothing I think you would need to worry about. Just keep reassuring him he's ok and always try to end scritching before you see him getting antsy. I do this w/Sinbad, and it helps him remain calm. Do in short intervals and that helps build his trust w/you. With greys, we tend to move a bit slower and softer words to reassure them.

It's alot of trying to understand their minds for where they are at emotionally now, and bringing that out of them slowly and giving them the confidence they need to thrive well.

I'm so glad I got you my friend, to go through something like this, where we both will understand from a Greys point of view, and also as a plucker/feather abuser. I think this is a blessing for both of us, it's not coinsedencial, you think we both are going through the same thing w/our pets, and our pets prior that brought us together in the 1st place?? hmmmmm?? :tighthug:

[BKHagar]

I think you're right, Barb! Lots of same experiences- must mean SOMETHING!! We are quieter in a way, handling Kato, and we DO move slower- he is SO cautious, but I see him becoming more outgoing every day!

We won't have the vet's report today, but will get to pick Kato up after work! I can hardly WAIT! I know he will NOT want to go back in the carrier . . . so I dread THAT part, but I will be anxious to see how he reacts to seeing we HAVE really come for him! Dave picked up for us- the vet's office is about 45 min. away even from work, so he's at his house, in a cage watching Animal Planet right now! I hate to have to put him in the carrier to get him home!

Glad to have you as a helpful emotionally generous friend!

HUGS!

Kim

[amazing greys]

:roflmao2: LOL Animal Planet, hehehee, yup that sounds like Dave :roflmao2: That was very sweet of him to pick him up, I bet you're excited....it's almost time, isn't it?? hehehe


that carrier isn't the fun part w/Sinbad too, if you remember what he did when he was in one, but hopefully you can get home quick and he'll be fine. Put some paper shreds in there for him to attack or shred while being in there.

Have fun, my friend!!! :emot-danc Make sure you give plenty of scritches and kisses from auntie Barb, k?? ;) :p

[BKHagar]

I PROMISE!! Headed there NOW!

Report tomorrow how we did!

Smiles!

Kim

[Jean]

Kim, I am anxious to read Kato's update! He's going to love coming home to you after his vet adventure. Have a good evening with your babies.

[birdnerd]

Aww... Poor Kato! It's hard to fathom someone who'd get a pet, any pet, then put it on ignore. :(

He'll be happier in his new digs!

[Jean]

Aww... Poor Kato! It's hard to fathom someone who'd get a pet, any pet, then put it on ignore. :(

He'll be happier in his new digs!

Well said! it reminds me of robot parenting with a broken robot! :( Absolutely heartless! :mad:

[BKHagar]

GOOD morning! Boy, were you ever right, Jean! Kato was just SO thrilled to see we had not abandoned him!!! We picked him up at Dave's house after work, and he just LIT up!!! You could see the recognition! He stepped up REALLY well for me and was just happy as a lark! Of course, he didn't want to get in the carrier, but he did without a fuss, really!

When we got him home, he came out like a shot, and up onto my shoulder! Let me kind of lean my head in close! He was just LOOKING around so intensely! I finally bent down and let him get off onto his cage door, and he stuck his head in there, and it looked like he went "OH! This is MY cage!!" It was so funny! He was REALLY ready to eat, too, and waited by his food cup until I had him some veggies ready! He ate like a little pig!! He came out and sat on the top of the cage for a while, and I swear, I think he did EVERY whistle and word he knows!! Ken and I were just about rolling in the floor!! I could tell he was truly elated to be home with us! He was even happy to hear the other birds in the bird room! While we had dinner and watched a movie, Kato sat in his doorway and dozed! He was just exhausted, poor baby! He got back on top of the cage before bedtime, but stepped up really well for me to put him back in, and HE LET ME SCRITCH HIM!! WOOHOO! Just a careful rub of the head for a min. or two, and down his poor back!! It was amazing!!

We don't have results back from the vet's yet, of course, but will next week. The vet DID tell Dave, however, that HER guess was that he really IS male- so far, she has been 90-95% right!! So I believe that might be the case; not sure if they DID send off for DNA testing- we aren't footing the vet's bill because Kato is a "foster" at this time, and the rescue pays for this . . . I hope to know much more next week, though- all the test results, and it looked like the ran a STRING of things, since we don't really know a good history of him.

Anyway, he was ONE happy grey birdie this morning! Doing ALL his whistles and saying Hello in my voice!! He was REALLY perky and glad to be there! I SURE hated to leave, but I'm out of work today by 1:30, so THAT will be awesome!

HUGS!

Kim

[amazing greys]

Great home coming for him :thumbup: I'm so happy to hear he is adjusting well!!


As for being male.......I can possibly agree w/that the more I look at his pics. He almost really looks like Sinbad in that pic where he's just chillin w/his foot up. He does have that male head, just hard to tell sometimes w/some feathers missing. The reason I kinda indicated he was female is the color of his feathers in one of the pics, where he looks kinda lighter, like a female. But more and more I look at his face.....yup I might agree w/the vet ;)

He sounds like a sweetie, and can't wait to hear updates. I'm so happy for all of you :D

I just wanna reach out and kiss him myself!! hehehe

Hope the results all come out w/flying colors!! Did Dave or the vet indicate how much he weighed? I'm so glad to see he got into the vet and tested properly, Dave runs a wonderful rescue!! Too bad I'm a little too far away, I would looooove to foster!! hehehe If another Grey comes along, you know where I'm at, hehehehe

[Jean]

:thanx: Kim, for the update. I can picture Kato wantig to come home. He's no fool, he knows a good thing when he see's it. :heart:

I have a feeling this foster will turn into a bonded love affair that can't be seperated! :wub:

Happy hugs, to all both of you!

[harleybaby]

HI KIm, how are you??? It's so nice to see you!!! and Kato awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I'm so happy you have him, greys are awesome aren't they?!! Kato is going to do just fine with you!!!!!


WEll, just wanted to pop in, I haven't been on much lately I've got a lot going on right now but I saw you here and I had to say hi and congratulate you!!!!!!:wavey: Leah

[BKHagar]

Thanks, Leah- nice to see YOU here, too! I am too busy, too, but sneaking anyway! Thank you EVERYBODY, for your vote of confidence! Kato is just doing remarkably well!

Don't know what he weighed in at, either- drats! Will ask Dave, in case he was told! but anyway, test results will probably all be back next week, so we're really anxious!

Kato DOES seem very happy with all the attention! I guess he would, huh?!! After years of isolation! He EVEN let me scritch him last night, on the back of the head, and down his poor little back! I know he was scared, but we BOTh were brave!!!

Thank you all for the wonderful support! Yes, we believe that we will eventually adopt Kato; the Rescue doesn't wan to adopt out until he is more recovered, which is nice, because they are covering the medical costs, which certainly helps a LOT! Especially when we have checkups coming up for 13 more birdies!!!

Hugs!

Kim

[Jean]

I can't even imagine the cost of taking 13 more for vet check ups.:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: X10. LOL

I could read the adoption in your posts. There is already :heart: love and bonding in place. Good Luck, and have a nice safe holiday weekend.:highfive:

[BKHagar]

You read THAT right, Jean! You know, from the moment I laid eyes on that pitiful bird with his soul in his eyes, just wanting some attention and love, I feel in love with him! We were SHOCKED to find him in that condition. It was all I could do to hurry Ken getting his cage in the truck!

Poor Dave- I've never seen him so mad and disgusted at the state of an animal, yet trusting us to do what he needed done. Kato is a different bird already! I just cannot say enough about how awesome it is to see him come out of this lonely and scared shell! He is going to be quite the personality, I think! EVERY morning there is that Good, the Bad, and the Ugly whistle! Just sets Ken and I into fits of laughter! and Kato LOVES that! We believe he is learning to laugh! That is usually THE first thing birds learn at OUR house! *grin*

I will certainly post vet results as soon as possible! NOT looking foreward to taking the crew in, and we will probably break them into two groups for two separate days! BUt man, we DO get to be the good guys! *grin* It's only money, as bad as it hurts, and not blood! *grin*

You guys have a GREAt and safe holiday, as well!

Hugs & Smiles!

Kim