Our Spikey
"b. December 1990 ~ d. January 10th, 2008"
 
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Spike became a part of our family when Wes purchased him for Rachelle as a Valentine's Day present in 1990. He was still eating bird formula at the time and Rachelle did her best to over feed him (she still attempts to over feed the fish!). Spike went everywhere with us as a juvenile bird - to classes, to family homes and hikes in the parks. For over a year we allowed him to go outside on us until we heard of hawks taking pet birds off their owners shoulders! He was a star during the years that Wes taught at the museums and galleries since Rachelle and Spike were always sitting nearby painting while teaching and demonstrations were taking place. He bonded to Rachelle and is with her almost every moment of the day that we are home and in the studio. He currently tolerates Wes and other visitors to his kingdom.
* Spike has had numerous names over the years: Spikey, Sparkey, Doodles, Jubees, Superstar, Sweetheart and Buzzard. * Unlike Kermit, Spike has a temperment that he's not ashamed to show if he doesn't get his way. He has a sign "Beware of Attack Bird" proudly displayed on his home. 
* He loves eating meals with us, all parties with guests, getting in the freezer and then being blown upon, hearing songs with flutes or whistles on the radio, hollering back to Carolina Wrens and Great-Crested Flycatchersin the yard, popcorn or chips during movies, any type of pasta, looking at photos and paintings...just to name a few of his hobbies. * He loves walks, in his carry cage, around the yard and prefers the days when we eat out on the porch. A highlight is to be placed among the flowers with the butterflies - he beeps to each one! * Spike has so far had three bad experiences in his life: 1. The day he walked through Rachelle's palette and promptly received a scrubbing under the kitchen faucet. (To this day he insists that we don't understand him as an artist) 2. The day he chewed wood treated with termite poison and nearly died. A bird breeder encouraged us to try pepto bismol which thankfully saved his life! 3. The day he fell in the bathtub and broke his leg...well maybe it was worse the next day when he went to the Vet or maybe that evening when he realized he couldn't chew off the cast or get rid of that stupid protective collar! 
* Spike loves to help cook meals in the kitchen and decorating the Christmas tree is always a highlight for him! He's a box and bag baby...anything he can go into and explore is fun. His playset in our studio has several boxes to keep him occupied. * He loves to beep and click when he sees Wes working outside...special treats are when he's in the van and hears car horns. * Spike loves quite a bit of music and anything with shrills or whistles. A few of his favorite songs are "Mr. Bo Jangles", "Put on a Happy Face" and our bird songs CD. * At one time Spike was able to say several words and whistle tunes. We taught him "Anchors Away" while Wes's brother was in the Navy. He's still able to say his name but he prefers to make up his own songs and sounds now. * Spike loves to preen at the same time Rachelle "preens"...it's funny but true...he even works on his toenails when Rachelle paints hers! 
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