Poopzilla: Pooped Out (In Trouble) or am I Obsessing?

[mr squeaks]

Earlier this evening I took a nap and Poopzilla - who often naps with me, did something he's never done before: as I was on my back, he very gently lay down between my upper chest and left shoulder so that his head was just a few inches from mine and even more quietly than usual, made the very soft, low noises that he reserves for special moments of pleasure/satisfaction (i.e., when I caress his head - which I was not doing at this moment.) This went on for quite a while and progressively, I began to perceive an almost palpable form of intimate and particularly reassuring communication coming from him: it was as if he was telling me not to worry in a very special way. On the edge of sleep myself, I began to feel the tension and worry flow out of me as his own presence filled my consciousness. The 'distance' between us had never been less, while at the same time, I felt even closer to myself in terms of unity and an enlarged awareness of both of us.

I know the whole description can easily be interpretated as wishful, romanticized thinking and anthropomorphic projection, but the basic facts remain: his unusual position and proximity; the modification of the sounds he was making - which have always been reserved for a very different context; and even the length of time he remained like that; although the whole experience seemed to take place outside of time, it was I who ultimately felt the need to change positions and break the 'spell.'

Once again, this experience makes me believe that these birds - and 'animals' in general - are so much closer to us than we either imagine or perceive. In reality, the real mechanisms of 'projection' consist in our habitually superficial ways of seeing and relating to them - the filters we use to distance ourselves from their feelings (and in consequence, ours as well). It's understandable, since we normally 'just don't have the time' or the opportunity to reduce the space separating us from them: I suppose it's something we learn in dealing with one another and members of our own species in general. For many reasons (and most of them bad, I suspect) only a certain level of 'closeness' is tolerated, no matter who we're dealing with or whatever our relationship.

I think you will find, Jonathan, that many of us know exactly what you are saying. There was one link about an Eagle named Freedom and his human, that was especially moving. Sometimes, all we have to do is "listen."

If one believes that "all time is NOW," one can be truly "in the moment."

There is so much that most of mankind does not know about ESP, yet those who have a special close bond with other species or their own, often report instances that seem unbelieveable.

Which just goes to show that one of my favorites beliefs is alive and well: "nothing is impossible...only unknown."

Wishing you and Poopzilla healing thoughts with love, hugs and scritches...

Shi

[ryannon]

Thank you for your good wishes, Shi: the 'Zilla seems to have shaken off whatever it was that was slowing him down.

I can both see this and feel it as well: it's as if things are 'balanced' again here. (A stray thought: and if our animal companions sometimes reflected or otherwise 'took on' our own physical/psychological stress? Hmm - there's a whole lot of food for thought there...)

I remember the post and picture of Freedom the eagle, which I sent around to several people who I knew would be touched by it (they were).

[pdpbison]

Hi ryyannon,




Very glad to here 'Poop Zilla' is over whateveritwas..!


'Big Girl', my oldest and been here longest PPMV survivor was feeling under the weather recently also...and, whatever it was, she shook-it-off also and is back to her old sweet self again too.


Anyway...very glad to hear...


Make sure he eats his Greens..!


Phil
l v

[jenfer]

Originally Posted by ryannon

(A stray thought: and if our animal companions sometimes reflected or otherwise 'took on' our own physical/psychological stress? Hmm - there's a whole lot of food for thought there...)

Hi Ryannon,

Many people believe that animals often act as "mirrors" to call our attention to issues that need to be addressed. Many animal communicators talk about this phenomenon--in fact, there's an entire book with stories about this:

http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-He.../dp/0764559494

Jennifer

[Jay3]

Originally Posted by jenfer

Hi Ryannon,

Many people believe that animals often act as "mirrors" to call our attention to issues that need to be addressed. Many animal communicators talk about this phenomenon--in fact, there's an entire book with stories about this:

http://www.amazon.com/Reflections-He.../dp/0764559494

Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer, I just checked out the book. Sounds interesting. I ordered it. I think this is true, as animals do have a sixth sense. I know my dogs can always sense how I am feeling, and respond to it. They communicate without words. And so often you can look into the eyes of your animal companion, and you can just SEE what they are feeling. Thanks.

[ryannon]

To my way of thinking, it's much more reasonable to think that they (our animal companions) do reflect what's going on (and sometimes even what will be going on) in our lives.

But for this to happen, there has to be some sort of basic reciprocity for the 'circuit' to function. For example: an individual or a family who/which feels that a dog (or a cat or a pet bird or whatever) is just that, and no more: in that case, the animal in question will correspond to and reflect the same attitudes and expectations. The dog is just a 'dog', and so on...

At the other extreme of the spectrum are those who can enter into direct communication with animals through a variety of methods: shamanistic, telepathic, clairvoyant, etc. Or even the ordinary, "Hey, that's funny....all the dogs (or birds, or horses, etc.) are acting really strange!" - just before the magnitude 7 earthquake hits.

I'm convinced that our ancestral knowledge and acceptance of such phenomena is disappearing as quickly as our phenomenal mastery of technology is increasing (along with the often-calamitous illusion of our "mastery of nature"). This is also being accompanied by a colossal dumbing-down of a form of instinctive and acquired knowledge our species has amassed during the last 30-odd thousand years. Which leads me to add that Homo Sapiens is a mere fly-speck in time - even the Neanderthals clocked on at least five times more presence as we have - before going extinct.

My own feeling is that we're witnessing the beginning of another evolutionary shift: not so much in terms of morphology or cranial capacity as in some sort of human-IT hybrid (as in Information Technology) with selective breeding, implanted sensors and microprocessors (eventually on a molecular or nano-scale) and all sorts of add-ons which will permit a very small percentage of our species to go on to whatever the next step is, be it living alongside 'older' models of humanity (i.e. 'us', and much in the same way as modern-day Australians live alongside but not with the Aborigines - or whatever the politically correct name for these people is these days) - or simply leaving Earth for further adventures on other planets and galaxies.

But the meantime, I will be sure that the 'Zilla gets his ration of veggies, Phil

[Lady Tarheel]

Jon, it was good to hear Poopzilla is feeling better.

[Lady Tarheel]

Jon, I meant to ask you if Poopzilla is moulting? I don't think they always feel well when they're moulting and ours get a little lethargic.

[ryannon]

Originally Posted by Lady Tarheel

Jon, I meant to ask you if Poopzilla is moulting? I don't think they always feel well when they're moulting and ours get a little lethargic.

I know what you mean, but the 'Zilla apparently went through a mini-molt three or four weeks ago: presently, he's fine in the feather department.

And quite chipper now - and I must say that I'm so relieved. Vitamins and mineral supplements from here-on-in.

Need to find a laboratory and a vet for the poop analysis as well....

Our thanks for your concern

[Trees Gray]

I'm so glad to hear Poopzilla is feeling "chipper" again. I know it is a relief for you, it could have been just a vitamin/mineral deficiency then. Meanwhile I hope your search does find a good "poop anylist/oligist", or someone who can just give you the "scoop on his poop." .

[mr squeaks]

SOOOO GLAD TO HEAR THE POOPS IS FEELING MUCH BETTER!! I'm sure your instincts are right on the money. Those who are very close to their bird companions "know" their bird's behavior and may "file" this information away, whether consciously aware or not.

When Squeaks sneezes, I tend to panic: "Oh no!! Upper respiratory? Worse?!" So far, so good and he returns to his favorite pastimes of nest sitting, making sure I'm nearby and grunting, beaking or chasing the cats if they don't keep their distance!

REALLY relate your human shift (morphing?) post!!

Personally, I was hoping we could "shift" more toward the ESP areas. Learn to live harmoniously with our planet and all who inhabit. Guess I'll have to "wait" longer than I thought!

With the emphasis on technology, I see us fast losing any "natural" abilities in the above areas that we have/had. That's really sad!

Love, Hugs and Scritches
Shi and Squeaks with Dom, Gimie and Marlin Darlin'

Forgot to add: MANY THANKS for the book link, Jennifer!!

[Pisciottano]

Hello Ryannon,

I "discovered" this thread this morning and have read it with so much anxiety that I finished up by reading the happy end BEFORE I re-read it through from the beginning again. I cannot tell you how happy I am that all is well with Poopzilla again. If you succeed in finding a lab that will analyse his poop I'd like to know about it since I have arrived at the conclusion that this cannot be done in this country. I know I have failed to find such a lab in this region where I live.

Regarding yours and other members' comments on the especial relationship that can exist between animals and humans I believe that some people are better "equipped" than others to communicate with their pets or even strange animals. I could "fill up" many pages with the experiences my younger daughter has had and continues to have with animals ever since she was a little girl.

Best wishes, Gladys

[ryannon]

Hi Gladys, and thank you for your comments. Poopzilla is doing very well - to the point where I've neglected investing the time necessary for calling around to find out from who and/or where I can obtain a laboratory analysis of his...well, poop.

I would basically be starting from scratch, meaning that I personally don't have the slightest idea of who to call - and as you've intimated - whether this is even possible on a private level (as opposed to a public health matter) here in France.

But there are three places I would try, the first being the national veterinary school in Maisons-Alfort (01 43 96 71 80)

http://www.vet-alfort.fr/

just outside of Paris. These people could do an analysis easily, but I have no idea if they offer this service to private individuals. If you manage to navigate through their dense bureaucratic structure, you might be lucky enough to find someone who knows who to address in your region of France to get it done.

Next on the list would be trying to find someone at the SPOV (01.42.53.27.22.) who might know.

Lastly, I'd contact (but again, all this is more or less Paris-based and perhaps of little use to you in your region) one of the pigeon-friendly vets on the list that Myriam was kind enough to send me - and which I can pass on to you if you feel it might be useful.

Now that we're on the subject - and if it was not the middle of the night here - I'd get on the phone and try to find out what we're both looking for. Tomorrow is Saturday, so there might be some possibility of obtaining information, and if I do, I'll certainly let you know.

In the meantime, and if you're feeling lucky and have the patience, courage and just the right accent, you might want to try to crack the information barrier surrounding the Alfort vet school next week: I know that they do this type of analysis, but finding the name of the person and the service might take a bit of phone-time: it's possible that they consider this information more or less of a military or strategic secret. Once again, I'll share whatever I manage to find out, once I feel the courage to confront the user-friendly French administration.

Please feel free to contact me by PM or email if I can help you with anything....

And thank you again for your concern for Mr. Poopzilla (who - for a number of reasons - is generally in better shape that I am these days

Addendum: This is from the list of vets that Myriam sent me, and might be helpful for you - at least worth a call to find out more; wherever he is (dept. 56) it's not Paris, and he sounds people as well as pigeon-friendly: "Consultations gratuites par téléphone de 13h30 à 15h du lundi au vendredi par le Dr Lefevbre, ils délivrent aussi des médicaments et fait des diagnostiques et il fait les analyses lui même": Dr Lefebvre BP 48 56230 Questember
Tél : 02.97.26.04.12

[pdpbison]

Hi ryannon,



Certainly there must be Avian Veterinarians in Paris, and, additionally, Veterinary Schools here and there in France generally, who in addition, would have Avian departments.


Really, anyone with basic Microscope skills, could do it.


Any Biology or pre-med or Botany Student...should be able to do it.





You could learn to do it fairly easily yourself, and, without much expense, for that matter, obtaining a good, older Microscope on e-bay, for example...along with some Slides, Stains and so on.


This in itself can be done for less than the cost of one average Vet visit-and-lab fee...an one is then set for ever, instead of a one time thing.


I know there are several people on our List here who would guide you in the details...



Just a thought...


I bought a wonderful Microscope a while back, but, things are just so cramped here I have been shy to set it up and start to learn it.

I should, of course..!



Phil
l v

[ryannon]

Phil, I'm starting to adapt the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude as regards to Poopzilla.

My feeling is twofold: in the first place, I do think it's important to do an adequate amount of preventative and natural nutritional maintenance: after this first brush with P'zilla being ill, I've obtained liquid multi-vitamins for his water, an occasional small dose of apple cider vinegar also in the water (which he tipped over in an apparent pique as to the changed taste yesterday ); bits of brewer's yeast that I hand feed him along with Gouda cheese when we're in snuggling mode; an oyster-shell grit block with added minerals - and eventually garlic caps and one or two other supplements once I obtain/figure out how to use them - sparingly: I don't want to stuff him full of all sorts of things that are supposed to be 'good for him' like an over-anxious Mom.

Secondly, what I learned from his short illness was that there were about a thousand possible causes and remedies (ok, I exaggerate a bit) and that if it had been a really serious affliction, he would have been gone by the time I had decided on and obtained the correct treatment.

All of which leads me to conclude that I'd be much better off trying to find an avian specialist in Paris that I can have confidence in and call upon in an emergency.

You and several other very qualified members here have got light-years of experience in observing and treating sick birds: other than feeding the ferals for several decades and learning how to scoop up and treat the ones with string/foot problems, I don't know s*** from shinola about the finer points of treatment and rehabbing. I've had my share of in-patients here, but basically (and luckily for them) in general all it took was a few days/weeks/months of TLC before they were ready to fly out the window and continue their existence as free ferals - who often flew back in for weeks or even months for a quick meal and a little respite from life on the mean Parisian streets.

So that's my position. As for buying a microscope and learning how to do it myself, I wouldn't even know which end to look through, not to mention what to look for - even after trying to learn about the subject. I'm great at some things, but avian biology is not going to be one of them in this life.

Your idea of asking a French biology student (other than the rare and occasional M.S. or Ph.d-level genius) to do the analysis just wouldn't work for reasons too long to go into here - other than to say that I'd have more confidence in Poopzilla himself doing it.

So that's my position at the moment, and it's the one which seems to make the most sense to me: in terms of what I think is best for the 'Zilla.

It's not as inclusive as having all the possible meds here and knowing how to use them (meaning being able to precisely identify and treat any pathology he might have) but that's a totally unrealistic possibility given the circumstances.

Were it possible just to fly over to the UK (closest linquistically and geographically) with him and seek qualified aid in the event of a problem I'd do it without hesitation. I'd even go to the U.S. with him, were it possible to get in without the hassles associated with 'importing' birds. As it stands, I'll consider myself lucky if I can locate even one qualified vet here that I can have total confidence in.

So in the end, and like many things in life, it all comes down to hope - meaning a wing and a prayer. In the meantime, and like all of the other members here, the best I can do is to try to do my best within the limits of my own knowledge and possibilities - and the invaluable aid, support, concern and encouragement of the kind people who respond and reassure as they've done in this thread.