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Happy Spring!
As I write this, I am in Chicago celebrating the first couple of beautiful spring days that the Windy City has experienced. I have a view of the lake, and the water is an exquisite Caribbean aqua. The sun is brilliant, but the air cool, and the breezes coming in off of Lake Michigan help Chicago live up to its name. I had the good fortune to visit with several TGF members, and long time Board of Directors member, Sharon Sidell. Seeing both JD, the Lilac-crowned Amazon, and Selby, the Green cheeked Amazon parrots adopted to Sharon several years ago brought happy memories to me. Their flockmate, Sydney, a Blue-headed Pionus also greeted me warmly, and watching these 3 take flight in their caretaker’s Chicago loft was pure pleasure. Recalling their early days with TGF and the harsh assessments that had been ascribed them by their previous caretakers surely was the result of limited, poor or inaccurate knowledge about parrot behavior and expectations. I am happy to report that these three birds were happily interacting with each other and their spacious home.
With the passing of Norman and Gypsy, blogging about my recent travels has been delayed to May 1. The emotional side of losing Norman has had a profound effect on so many. With the tremendous response to Norman’s passing, we are creating a special fund to provide for unique birds with extraordinary needs.
All of us at TGF thought long and hard about the type of supportive care and costs provided to both Norman and Gypsy. We felt it incumbent upon us all to go the distance with both of these very determined birds. We owed it to both Norman and Gypsy to fight as hard for them in their illness as they did to remain alive. Their lives to us were a gift, and their passing will benefit veterinary medicine in so many ways through the teaching opportunities that these birds shared in both life and death. They will be forever missed, but never forgotten.
April and May take TGF to new locations. If you haven’t signed up for our upcoming classes in Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Fargo – visit our website and take advantage of this terrific educational opportunity. If you’d like to host an on-site educational or outreach event to benefit parrot lovers in your community, contact patti@thegabrielfoundation.org to learn how you can help.
We’ll also be in Orlando, at the HSUS Animal Sheltering conference in May, Parrots International in June, and at AAV in early August. If you’d like to connect with us – just send an email and we’ll do our best.
If you’re ready to party for the parrots – join us on April 25 in Denver for “Plant a Tree, Feed a Bird ” - TGF’s first Arbor Day parrot benefit. And, join us August 16 for my 60th Birthday party and gala!
Enjoy the news Team TGF has to share in this edition of The Front Perch™, and thank you so very much for your continued support.
Warmest Regards,
Julie Weiss Murad
CEO, Founder and President
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Plant a Tree, Feed a Bird
A Benefit for The Gabriel Foundation
Hosted by Peter & Mickey Paulos
April 25, 2008
6PM until 10PM
Cocktails, Hors D'Oeuvres & Silent Auction
“The Skybox”
277 South Elm Street
Denver, CO 80220
Be the first to experience this Denver Icon
Tickets to the Best Seat in Town
$100 advance $125 at the door
RSVP (303)629-5900 ext. 227
www.thegabrielfoundation.org/skyboxevent
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April Showers bring two Peach-faced Lovebirds -Meet our Featured Birds!
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Venta Airwashers On Sale at the Birdbrain!
Give your bird the gift of good air! Order a Venta Airwasher from us this month and get the lowest prices anywhere. All models come in charcoal grey or off-white.
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MSRP |
The Birdbrain price |
LW44 |
$399.99 |
$329.99 |
LW24 |
$299.99 |
$249.99 |
LW14 |
$199.99 |
$179.99 |
All orders must be prepaid. Please allow one week for delivery.
Click here to learn more about the importance of air quality.
Shop at the Birdbrain, Help the Parrots of TGF
The Birdbrain carries Ultra Premium and Holistic Dog and Cat food for your non-feathered yet furry friends. Our spotlight product of the month is “Wingaling”, one of Merrick’s 5 Star canned food entrees for canine companions. With whole chicken wings that are slow-cooked so that the bones are mushy and safe for consumption. To balance out the protein, brown rice, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, and red delicious apples…. Be prepared for fits of jealously as Fido’s feast may surpass you own!
The Birdbrain is now 100% owned by The Gabriel Foundation! Remember that when you need supplies or products for your birds, all proceeds support the parrots and programs of TGF. Shop with compassion, make a difference one bird at a time – and show your support for The Gabriel Foundation.
Online shopping at The Birdbrain www.thebirdbrain.com is about to drastically improve! We know that our E-commerce program has been the cause of great frustration to our online shoppers. Thanks to a restricted donation, The Birdbrain is developing a totally new website for your shopping pleasure and convenience. Meanwhile, Teri and Christal are at The Birdbrain Monday through Saturday to assist you with your birds’ needs. Just call us at 888.923.2140 or 303.446.BIRD or email at sales@thebirdbrain.com. Store hours are Mon-Fri 10:30AM-6:00PM and Saturday 10:00AM-4:00PM. The Birdbrain is located at 1025 Acoma Street in Denver.
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Announcing TGF Flight School
Book time for your bird to fly in our Aviary!
Come out to the Aviary in Elizabeth and let your bird(s) stretch their wings! Book time 7 days a week (24 hour notice requested)
Only $20 per hour
Flight and Recall Training!
Get Private Instruction with TGF Coordinator of
Bird Health, Hilary Herron
Consultation required prior to
scheduling instruction time.
Only $65 per hour
Call the Aviary 303-629-5900 ext. 213 or 218
The Gabriel Foundation Adoption and Education Center
39520 County Road 13
Elizabeth, CO 80107
*Medical testing requirements must be received prior to bringing your bird to the aviary.
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Aviary & Adoption Center Update
In March alone, eight new birds came to live at the Aviary & Adoption Center. Seven parrots were adopted out to new homes. Each bird that comes in and out of the aviary requires much attention. Before a bird can join the “flock”, each one must go through medical testing and quarantine, to protect the health and safety of both that bird and all the others. Our adoption process involves several steps to ensure that each bird goes to an appropriate and loving home. Our staff goes the distance to make sure that every bird that comes through our doors receives the best care possible. We cannot do this without your help. Please donate now.
For information about Relinquishments, Long-term Foster Care, Sanctuary and Boarding, please contact Karen VanderHyde at (303)629-5900 ext. 216. If you are interested in our online Beyond Birdie Basics classes, Education and Outreach events or want to consider the adoption option, contact Patti Christie at (303)629-5900 ext.213.
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TGF in Cyberspace!
The Gabriel Foundation is making our presence known in the online universe. We invite you to become our friend on MySpace... www.myspace.com/thegabrielfoundation
We have uploaded some of our fantastic videos to YouTube.com - Check them out
And here is another great resource on the web...
Having problems with your parrot and just can't wait for a consultation? Here's a link to tide you over...
Check out: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ParrotBAS/
It's free! Great articles! Great teachers! Great group of people!
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Upcoming Events
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Parroting 101: To Sprout or Not to Sprout
We've all heard that sprouting can be a wonderful and nutritious addition to a parrot's diet. We assume that all seeds that can be eaten hard must be safe and even better when sprouted - but that's not always the case.
Here is a guide to help to help you decide What to Sprout -Or Not!
DON'T SPROUT: Milo (also known as super millet or sorghum) is a seed that contains cyanide. It appears to be OK in the dry form but when you add water and the seed sprouts, the cyanide content increases and is potentially fatal.
DO SPROUT: Amaranth is a very nutritious grain, however the raw hard grain has been shown to cause liver damage in chickens. While there is no information linking it to parrots specifically, it's wise to err on the side of caution and not feed amaranth in its dry form. If it is soaked overnight, sprouted or cooked, it appears to be OK.
DON'T SPROUT: There is some controversy about sprouting alfalfa. If you do sprout this seed you want to make sure you grow it so that it looks like the sprouts you see in stores. The unsprouted seed contains the toxin canavanine.The most nutritious alfafa is harvested from the ground and available in dry form or capsules. These are superior to alfalfa sprouts in nutrition.
DON'T SPROUT: Large beans: Anasazi, Black, Kidney, Lima, Navy, Pinto and Soy are not suggested for sprouting. These legumes can cause toxicity and are difficult to digest. Their raw flavor is also very bad. If you choose to serve these to your bird they MUST be soaked for a minimum of 8 hours, water drained and beans rinsed very well, then cooked by bringing them to a full boil, boiling uncovered for 10 minutes, covered and simmered for another 20 minutes.
Shauna’s specialty organic sprouting and cooking legume mixes are available exclusively through The Birdbrain.
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Tune in to Animal Planet
Watch Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl. ABVP – Avian - guest expert on parrots - Sunday, April 27 on Animal Planet, with the premier episode of Drs. Foster and Smith’s “Faithful Friends” which is devoted to parrots. Dr. Hess is a featured presenter at TGF’s October Behavior and Learning Workshop. |
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Meet Gayla, our Volunteer of the Month!
Gayla M. has been volunteering for at least a year, faithfully coming out to the Aviary weekly. She has been a tremendous advocate for The Gabriel Foundation and has used her “techno- savvy” to get us recognized in bird chat groups. This has led to many new sponsors of TGF birds and donations of toys from all over the country! Gayla regularly videotapes and photographs birds that are being sponsored and keeps the sponsors updated on “their” birds. Click here to read more about Gayla's contributions.
If you are interested in donating your time, please send an email to patti@thegabrielfoundation.org. We can't do it without you!
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Save the Date!!!
BIRTHDAY BASH ALERT – Join our Birdbrain, Julie Weiss Murad, on August 16, 2008 from 6:00 PM until the wee hours at the Aviary and Adoption Center for her very special decade birthday celebration. Details coming soon. You won’t want to miss this gala fundraiser and a night under the stars. Enjoy the birds, great blues, bands and boogie the night away at this one-of-a-kind party for the parrots!
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Just $10/month can help support The Gabriel Foundation enough to help several birds survive and begin a new life. Help Now!
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