by merlin » Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:36 pm
Dear Frank,
YES! Your grey will remember you and will be overjoyed to be with you! Your note added sunshine to my heart. This will be a happy, happy bird! If you've been thinking about him daily... HE has been doing the same about you. It may appear that he's upset to see you, but that is just the initial shock. Give him the time to come out of it. But also, as you head your way to get him, think of him and tell him mentally that you are coming to get him. He WILL pick that up telepathically.
Now to the trip. You have actually contacted an expert at this, as I have traveled with my Merlin and Sweetpea to over 11 states and have taken Merle to Bermuda and Europe. We also traveled from NYC to Phoenix AZ by car to live and my three greys were so happy because they had my attention by being in the car with them and sleeping in motel rooms together. They also loved my loud music and talking games. Below is a link for travel hints:
http://www.africangreys.com/hints/travel.htm
Overall, make the trip fun. If your grey has never been in a car, someone who has him now should take him on short little car trips in a travel carrier to help him get used to it. Things like, overpasses, windshield wipers, tunnels and so on, may make him nervous at first. If that happens, come up with a sound like WHEEE and act like it is all fun. It is just an issue of getting used to the unknown. If the person who has him now cannot or will not do it, I suggest that you do it with him a little on the day before you set out for the big drive.
I've found the Best Westerns to be super places to stay with my birds. They are pet friendly and are everywhere. I also found the fast food place places called something like Sapparo's that have healthy steamed veggies to be good places to get veggies... as well as getting foods from grocery stores in different cities. I also asked for motel rooms to have refrigerators in the room.
Please keep in touch and let me know how it goes. If you have more questions, please contact me again.
Blessings,
Maggie-
www.AfricanGreys.com