…or… “Petrie Through the Ages”
“Petrie and Banjo”
I have a huge love for animals! And while my loyalty lies mostly with dogs, it does extend greatly over into the realm of other critters. 
For instance, take my bird.I’ve had my Quaker Parrot, Rob Petrie (aka. “Petrie”) for almost 5 years now. For those of you who are unfamiliar with parrots, the Quaker Parrot (or “Monk Parakeet”) is one of the best known talking bird species in the world. Only the African Grey Parrot stands a chance of beating these little feisty critters at a verbal sparring match.
My Petrie is no exception.
He came to live with me in August of 2003, while I was still living at my parents (and 2 years before I met Kevin). Within a few short weeks he was already saying “Step Up!” (a command we give him when we want him to step on our finger). It wasn’t until he was nearing his first birthday, however, that he really began to let loose.
In July of 2004, my father had 2 massive heart attacks. The night after the first one, my mother and I had returned home, and I stayed up all night in my room playing the nintendo – I didn’t want to sleep for the fear of waking up only to be told my father had passed away (fortunately that didn’t happen). All of the commotion also meant Petrie wasn’t getting his fair share of attention. I did have his door of the cage open (he lived in my room) for him to wander around though.
Sometime around 3 am, things get quiet and I see him poke his head out of the cage door and eye me suspiciously. And then…. he says (in the most indignant voice he could muster)…
“Whatcha doin????? COME HERE!!”
Just to make sure I had heard him (I had, really, I was just speechless!), a few seconds later he uttered it again.
It was a very sweet, bright moment in that long dark night!
Another time, back when we still lived at my parents, Petrie had been playing on his big bird toy in the living room and it was getting very late. I was on mom’s couch reading a book, not paying much attention to him. You know, just letting him do his own thing. Usually he’s a good bird and stays on his toy. Not this night though. He climbed down to the floor.
What are you doing, Petrie-Oh?? I asked him. Then I put him back on his toy, and went back to reading. We repeated the scene two more times, with him getting visibly frustrated with each scene.
Finally, he climbs down – super fast – one last time and starts speed walking across the floor, towards the hallway (my room, with his cage was down the hall). Frustrated, I put my book down, stare at him and say “Petrie, what in the world do you think you are doing?”
Without breaking stride, he looks at me – very indignantly – as he marches past and yells…
“GOODNIGHT!!!!”
Over the years Petrie has added much more to his vocabularly. Some of his favorite utterances include:
- Come Here!
- Banjo Ruff Ruff! (Banjo lives at my parents)
- Little Bird (the name of my mom’s parrotlet that passed away a year ago)
- Prissy Butt (my dad’s yorkie)
- Bye Bye
- Goodbye
- Goodnight
- Petrie-Oh (my nickname for him)
- Hello? Hello?
- Go to Bed
- Uh ohhh…HAHAHAHAH.
- Thank You
All of these are said at appropriate moments too – without us teaching him. For instance, he connected the fact that Banjo barks. One day we were teasing him, and asked “Where’s banjo?”. He perked up and said “Banjo? Ruff ruff!!”. He’ll bark in the particular “voice” of all of our other dogs too. He’s also been known a few times to say “Turn that DOWN!” when the TV was blaring. Blowing strawberrie toots is his favorite game, not to mention sticking out his tongue (if I stick out mine, he’ll stick out his!). And he lets loose the occassional shocking 4 letter D-word whilst fighting animatedly with his bird toy. (How embarrassing)
As many quakers are known to be, he’s a very independant bird (not a cuddler like a cockatoo would be). He also thinks he’s 10 feet tall and would rule the house if we let him. The best word to describe him is Indignant. (Indignant: angered at something unjust or wrong; “an indignant denial”; “incensed at the judges’ unfairness”; “a look of outraged disbelief”)
For instance, right now he is screaming his head off at me (while looking back and forth between me and his food dish) because I haven’t fed him lunch yet. He gets very, very indignant when I’m late with lunch.
The 2nd best word to describe him is hilarious. We’ve had many great times with him and it’s great to have a little buddy to talk to in the house – and know that he’ll talk back!
Related Posts
Tags: Our Pets
