Pete; Large, and in Charge! A legend in his own mind!

Pete came to live with us as a fledgling, his world obviously turned upside-down. Speaking of down, this picture shows him covered with it. If you wish hard enough, sometimes they come true. I wanted a Grey, and wanted one real bad. My wife was in line at Petsmart, and turned to two Deputy Sheriffs behind her, stating; what ya'll need is a baby Cockatiel, one replied no; what you need is a baby African Grey. His fiancé bought Pete, but became afraid of him. He asked only the balance owed on his credit card, and I threw in $75 for the cage. Happy Birthday to us! I thought about it for a few days, and decided to get the bird. Kathy was out secretly tinting the windows on my Mustang! Double Happy Birthday to me!

I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille!

Marcus Petris Maximus IX (Pete) Age: 28 Months Owner: Preston & Kathy Home: Princeton, Texas (Dallas)
Pete came here in his own cage, looking none the worse for wear. There were a few friends over to see our new boy arrive. We set his cage up amongst the crowd. I was told by his former owner that he was never closed up in the cage. I opened the top, and he climbed up to stand proudly, without fear. Somehow he knew he was home!


"African Grey Parrots, known for their talking ability, were probably kept as pets back in Roman Times where it is known that there were shipments to Rome of parrots from Africa. It is certain that the Grey Parrot was known and traded by 1522 A.D. when a naturalist named Ulysses Aldrovandi mentioned the Grey Parrot in his zoological work." Quote taken from Kim's Aviary. Already named, I had to tie that into something befitting his either: personality, or history. Ancient Rome! This allowed me to mix his name into something. Romans never used their first or proper name unless it was for official reasons; they were commonly called by their middle name. Petris is Latin for Pete, and he thinks he's a big shot; so Marcus Petris Maximus IX. The IX is for the 9 pets we have. Now that I have completely bored you; let me explain the picture. I always use a Q-Tip to clean my ears, and Pete wants one to chew on. This time he tried to imitate me. He is actually trying to stick it in the side of his head! Kodak moment is an understatement here!


This is when Pete had a little go with RAP music. You have heard of Ice Cube & Ice T, well, here is Ice P!


Dinner with Daddy. This is an every night thing unless you want an angry Grey! Home Made Baked Macaroni and Cheese, one of his many favorites; and one of several meals I have learned from my parents, who grew up in the depression era. ca: 1930s.


Saturday breakfast with Daddy. Fruity Pebbles and Sugar Smacks on a silver spoon. He only gets enough to know he is part of my life. The dairy products and sugar aren't good for him.


Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes with cream gravey, and veggies, plus, three cheese Texas toast! It don't get any better than this.


Pete likes extra thick, stuffed crust, pepperoni. He has even saved two slices for Mitzi & Monty. Actually, he only eats the bread. Funny thing is: it's right out of the oven, home made, and at 400 degrees! He will not eat it any other way.


Lots of good stuff here. Home made chicken and rice, with all the veggies. Daddy is fixing someones computer because the little monitor is on my stool!


Homemade broccoli and cheese soup with grilled cheese sanwhiches, I'm all over this. Hmmm, I suggest a nice sparkling white, say Korbel Blanc.


Someone on Dandy's forum asked whether plucking down feathers was normal. The answer is: yes. What happens to the feathers is the abnormal part! Here is Pete doing his best Cockatiel impersonation.


A little comb over, and we are crooning! Dean Martin, "That's Amour"

When Worlds Collide

This is one that almost got away due to a flash malfuntion. I feel this to be the spirit of Christmas. Pete just gave Moxie a piece of his popcorn. Moxie is a Retriever/Chow mix, thus bred to return the birds that a hunter kills, with the agressive Chow thrown in. She is the Alpha of our 3 dogs, and Pete is clearly the Flockmaster of our 6 birds. Thanks to Photoshop; I was able to share this 1/200th seconds of PEACE!

Pete on stage

Greys can whistle like a fire truck, but Pete seems to want to act like one, This is his left turn at full speed. He says "left turn bird" and whistles three different sirens. He gets a hot meal for this. Yes he does do "right turn bird", but the pictures show only his posterior. I always say: Pete does not like to be handled, but lives on stage; never a dull moment!


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