Natural Awakenings Twin Cities April 2021

More documents

Recommendations

Info

natural pet Feathered Friends The Pros and Cons of Keeping Birds as Pets by Julie Peterson Kata May is a 30-inch-tall, blue-and-gold macaw. “It’s nice to come home and have a conversation with a snuggly bird,” says Joshua Luther, who took over care of the avian when he was 13 years old and she was 11. Now 17 years later, Kata May holds a commanding presence in Luther’s home in Columbus, Wisconsin. “She’s set up where our dining room should be, so my wife and I can sit and talk or play with her.” Luther notes that the cherished pet has a bit of a temper and can bend the bars on her $1,000 cage if she’s bored or angry. Considering the bird has a bite force of 1,800 pounds per square inch, it’s sensible to keep her happy, which could be for another 50 years. Complex Commitment Birds follow only dogs and cats as the country’s favorite companion animals, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lovebirds, budgies and canaries have an average lifespan of eight or more years, but can live to be 20. Typically, larger birds live longer. Because it’s common for birds to outlive their owners, the Avian Welfare Coalition, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, helps ensure these pets are included in wills and estate planning. Birds need to chew, and if they play outside their cages, must be kept away from hazardous items. Besides droppings, birds also create dander and dust. “Cleaning her cage and the room is a two-hour project every week,” says Luther. There’s also the potty mouth. Kata May learned some unsavory phrases from her previous owner. She sometimes screams, “Shut the hell up!” or, “Turn that #@%&ing thing up!” to get the TV at the desired volume. Babette de Jongh, an animal communicator and romance author in Bay Minette, Alabama, once knew a bird that routinely screamed, “Fire!” resulting in 911 calls. “Birds can be loud,” says de Jongh. “They generally try to be louder than the ambient noise in the room.” Luther agrees, saying, “You can hear my bird yell from a city block away.” Happy and Healthy Talking birds are delightful. Some mimic human language, others understand word meanings and use them appropriately. “Birds are as intelligent as a young child and as emotionally temperamental as a toddler,” says Mary Miller, who has raised budgies and the small- to medium-sized parrots known as conures at her home in Buffalo and has worked with other birds in rescue facilities. Luther agrees that birds don’t just mimic what they hear. “They understand like a 2- to 3-year-old child. When we are cooking dinner, she will ask, ‘For me?’ or, ‘Can I have some?’” Kata May also articulates her fondness for the pizza delivery person with, “I love you!” Then, “Mmmmmm, thank you,” in anticipation of a treat. Even without words, birds are excellent companions. “If raised correctly and interacted with on a regular basis, birds can be very affectionate. They are highly intelligent and social animals, so they form deep and lasting bonds with humans,” says de Jongh. Nutrition is key to a raising a bird. Leslie Moran, a Reno-based holistic animal nutrition and care consultant, is working to end avian malnutrition through the Healthy Bird Project, which conducts nutritional research on exotic species. Traditional grain and seed mixes lack essential nutrients and contribute to unbalanced protein intake for caged and companion birds. Moran’s goal is to move passakorn/AdobeStock.com 24 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
the food industry toward the inclusion of more wholesome choices. “Fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the grocery store, but parrots need specific, high-quality, tropical bird food, which can be hard to find,” says Luther. Keeping a tropical animal healthy also requires bathing, temperature control, clean air and water, exercise and mental stimulation. Costs vary. Owning a small parakeet could include the purchase or adoption price ($12 to $65); cage ($30 and up); food; toys; and checkups (typically less than $200 a year). A large macaw might cost $500 to $5,000. Supplies, food and vet care could top $2,000 the first year. Don’t Shop, Adopt Birds are available from breeders and pet stores, but there are many needing adoption. Sanctuaries struggle to care for animals with such long lifespans and complex needs, including diet, space, intellectual stimulation and emotional bonding. Lacking proper care, birds may develop mental illness and pluck out feathers or bite, but happy birds can be snuggly, social and fun. Rosemary Wellner, of Mountainside, New Jersey, has owned parakeets, cockatiels and lovebirds. Currently, she has two parrots, the oldest is 24. “Many people do not understand… but birds feel true attraction for their companions—and who doesn’t want to be loved?” she says. Julie Peterson is a health and wellness writer. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com. T a r g e t e d D i g i t a l M a r k e t i n g T o D r i v e L e a d s a n d s a l e s A NEW PARADIGM in Online Display Advertising Bold Expressions Digital Marketing’s custom Hyper-Local Targeting Model is a superior online alternative to cookiebased ads. We target brand websites using sophisticated research to identify specific groups of users and use this knowledge to help us increase the effectiveness of your ads. Our Premium Product Delivers: 100% Reach - placement is not affected by cookie blocking. 100% Viewability - ads are placed above the fold for full exposure. 100% Transparency - we provide detailed monthly reports summarizing the exact sites your ad appeared, number of impressions and click through rates (CTR). Special Price $12 CPM (normally $15 CPM) image courtesy of Rosemary Wellner Cappy, a 23-yearold white-eyed conure, resides in Mountainside, New Jersey, with his lifelong human companion, Rosemary Wellner. Call us: 763-270-8604 For more information: BoldExpressionsDigital.com April 2021 25
Page 1 and 2: FREE HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
Page 3 and 4: Feel the JOY of LOVE again! Join th
Page 5 and 6: Natural Awakenings is a family of 5
Page 7 and 8: usiness spotlight Parker University
Page 9 and 10: thanamatAdobestock.com B 12 and Pre
Page 11 and 12: dulcey ima/Unsplash.com Wilderness
Page 13 and 14: Courtesy of Russ Henry CATCH THE SP
Page 15 and 16: disease carried by ticks or dengue
Page 17 and 18: ©Antonioguillem Understanding Hard
Page 19 and 20: water-repellent clothing, stain-res
Page 21 and 22: scavenger list in hand. “‘Hikin
Page 23: natural antihistamine. In one study
Page 27 and 28: IN POSITION TO HELP OTHERS! Health
Page 29 and 30: DENTIST PURE DENTAL Dr. Amy Ha Truo
Page 31: CELEBRATING 27 years in THE busines

Natural Awakenings Twin Cities April 2021

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?