![[Tinker]](gifs/tink4.gif)
Tinker's Scrap
Book
Letters, photos, and
digital greetings sent to Tinker Smith, the Meyer's Parrot.
Click on Tinker's pictuire to visit his bookstore!
Check out the Holiday Greeting from
Rafiki & Jeffrey!
From: JSSherrard@aol.com
for tinker@dougweb.com; Sat, 19 Dec 1998 19:14:07
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1998 19:14:07 EST
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Dear Tinker and Doug,
Hi! My name is Rafiki, and I too am an African Meyers Parrot. Jeffrey (my
pet human) was busy all day today writing and sending out Christmas cards.
Being the silly creature he is, Jeffrey forgot to sign my name to any of the
cards! Well, I decided to take matters into my own talons and send you my
own, way cool, holiday e-mail greetings. Attached is a small bitmap (BMP)
image of me in all my parrotish splendor. Just save the file and open it in
your "paint" program, then select View, View Bitmap. I hope you have a very
Merry Christmas!!!
Best Wishes,
Rafiki
(with a little help from Jeffrey)
:)
Rafiki's Cool Christmas
Card!
Quark! Your human has class! What a
name!
From: zota@sympatico.ca
Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 11:44:44 -0400
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: Bird page
Hi Tinker, i think you are very beautiful and your homepage is great.
especially the yellow and green colors. My human, sheila has bookmarked
i for us to look at later. Oh BTW I am a seven month old male Senegal
named Quark and i can talk up a storm.One day soon i hope to have a page
too. TTYL. Quark.
An old pal from the Pet Grocery drops
in!
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 16:28:36 -0700
From: DavidGavazza dgavazza@hotcoco.infi.net
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: good to hear
what a coincidence! I was working at The Pet Grocery during this time
and i believe i remember Tink. i am so glad to hear that hes doing well,
and has such a wonderful, and exciting life!
Hands down this is Squeaky's favorite
page!
From: "M. Bartlett" meris@seaside.net
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: Our favourite homepage
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 1998 14:37:17 -0700
I have a male meyer's about 1 1/2 years old. This is hands down his favourite
page. He especially likes the snappy music and waits to hear Tink talk.
Meris and Squeaky
Stormie isn't talking yet!
To: tinker@dougweb.com Subject: Tinker's Web Page
Hi - I found your web page about your "Tinker" while surfing the net for more
info on my new bird - a Meyers I affectionately named "Stormie" - he gets
his/her name from the season in which I got him/her and because of all of the
colors remind us of a "storm". I just wanted to ask you if your bird talks -
I have had Stormie now for a couple of weeks and although he seems to want to
talk - nothing is coming out clear so I was just wondering. Also I love your
web page - I plan on visiting it often when I have more time.
Thanks!!!!!! I am Phil1110@aol.com. My name is Sherri.
Angel and Bonnie are two fine
babes!
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 15:20:00 -0400
From: Michelle Tancredi efc84@erols.com
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: Glad To Met You, Tinker!
I'm the Mommy of two very different Meyers Parrots.....Angel & Bonnie!
Angel is the sweetest little thing and wouldn't hurt a fly...on the
other hand, Bonnie gladly hurt a fly and all of it's friends! Bonnie
was acquired just a week ago and the adjustment isn't going as smoothly
we had all hoped. Bonnie is 5 and is a advid talker...things like,
"Nite, Nite", "I'm a pretty Bonnie Bird", "Whatcha doin'", "Hello",
"Hey", and if you ask her how is she is she answers "Just Fine"...
Tinker, my question to you is, how do I make Bonnie more "person
friendly"??? She like my Husband and she like me when she was in the
pet store but when I brought her home she does nothing my bite me, HARD!
Blood is ususally the result of me trying to get her out of her cage!
Do you have any advice for me? Angel just loves me to death and lets me
do anything with her....Please help!
Chel
Mo kissed the monitor!
From: DrkFeather DrkFeather@aol.com
Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 13:00:21 EDT
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: Link to Tinker
Hello,
When Mo, the Meyers Parrot, first saw Tinkers page he tried to kiss the
computer monitor. That's a sure sign that he wants to add Tinker's page to his
links list. Please check out mo's page and let us know if it's okay with you.
His address is http://www.angelfire.com/az/mobird.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Tracy Smith(Mo's human)
Zazoo has a home thanks to Tink! Cool
Zaz!
From: "Dan Stilwell" hlbc@halcyon.com
To: Tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: Hello Tinker
Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 21:47:38 -0700
Hello Tinker,
My name is Zazoo, although I can not say it yet. My mommy says she picked
me because of your page.
I am three months old, mommy still feeds me once a day. I found out how
good corn is tonight. I really like the new cage mommy got me, but I like
being with her MUCH better, I fly to her when ever I get the chance!
We are working on the potty training thing, but I do not see the need. I go
just fine where ever I am. It must be a people thing. Well thank you for
having a good page so I was adopted. I feel very loved.
I have lots of brothers, An African Grey named Max, and a Yellow Nape named
Rocky, then these two
fuzzy things with no feathers. Mommy says they are called dogs. Miniature
Schnauzers she said. Oliver and Reno. They stare at me allot.
I will send a photo for your scrapbook!
Thanks again Zazoo, and Sandi (my mommy)
aka golfnutgal@juno.com
Basil visits other birds!
From: "George Eliason" elias@mach3ww.com
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: basil--the northern Iowa Meyers
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1998 18:34:58 -0700
Enjoyed reading about Tinker's adventures. Basil lives with four cockatiels named Sugar, Cinnaman, Ginger, and Pepper, and two humans named LaVonne and George. Basil is three and he is spoiled. Like Tinker, he is attached to one of us--LaVonne. However, he will allow me to feed him a peanut without taking off my arm.
He is also HEADBIRD. He pursues the other birds, visits their cage, and eats their food. We think at times he thinks he is a vulture We do not know if Basil is a male or a female. Best Regards.
Togo thinks Snow is Fun!
From: "Thorson" littlebig@alaskalife.net
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 21:01:22 -0900
Hi Tinker,
My Name is Togo and I live in Anchorage, Alaska. Even when it gets cold
I stay warm inside until May. That's when I start traveling with my Mom,and
Orca (the Boston Terrier) to the Dog Shows around Alaska. I get to go to
Fairbanks, Kenai and Palmer. After they do there thing in the show ring I get
see all the people who come by to say hello. At first they thought it was funny
to see a bird at a dog show, but now everyone just loves me.
I have over heard that we are getting a new dog (yes someone else to bite, and
take toys from). They say it's a Whippet. I hope he isn't as ugly as Orca.
Hey Tinker have you ever seen Snow? Snow can be fun, but can get real cold
to fast.
Talk with you later Mom came back in the room, and now Orca wants the computer.
Togo
Make Fred a Happier Bird!
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 13:08:35 -0900
From: JIM & PJ ROBERTS roberts4@ptialaska.net
To: tinker@dougweb.com
Subject: Talking Tinker?
How did you teach Tinker to talk? I have had a Meyers Parrot, Fred
(named after Fred Astaire because he loves to dance) for 9 years. He was
approx. 1 year old when I purchased him/her. The pet shop owner did not
know much about Meyers Parrots so I have no info re: sex, food prefs,
ability to talk, etc. Your site is super. Thanks for the links to other
sites, I will surf them to learn how to make Fred a happier bird, altho
he is pretty happy now, or so I think.
Zappa's Forest Adventure
From: moore.family@dancom.com (Moore Family)
Subject: Meyer's Parrot
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 05:47:30 GMT
Hi! I really enjoyed your website. Your Tinker sounds a lot like my
Zappa! Zappa is a 1 1/2 year old Meyer's I adopted from the pet store
I work at here in Danville, VA. Had a similar experience like Tinker's
airborne adventure. I had Zappa out one day and he got startled and
flew away. His wings were "clipped", too! Unfortunately, Zap flew
in the woods and I could hear him, but not find him anywhere! Finding
a little green bird in a big green forest is kinda like the needle
in a haystack thing...Anyway, after over 24 hours of misery, the
little bugger came back! He flew to some neighborhood kids who
were playing outside and they brought him home! (I think everyone
in our CITY knew we were looking for that bird!) Alas, a happy
ending. Needless to say, Zappa doesn't go outside anymore...
Keep up the good work on the page! It's really good.
Sincerely,
Kristie Moore
Jasper bites left ears!
From: J.
Subject: Another Meyers :-)
To: dougs
Hi Doug and Tinker,
We have a year and a half old Meyer's Parrot. I was thrilled when I
found your page! We thought Jasper was unique, but are finding out by
reading here that he is like all his other Meyer's relatives! He says
"Jasper parrot, hi jasper, peep, step up, meyer, and hi jim" He also
does the microwave and the smoke detector very well, also "bob white"
and the wolf whistle. His favorite food is beens and pasta for
breakfast, and he loves his Pretty Bird pellets. He is a stinker, and
his favorite thing to do is jump on my shoulder while I'm cleaning his
cage and bite my left ear...I could offer free piercings!!! We love him
dearly despite his attitude (we had him DNA sexed, so he is a he!).
J.J.&J
Whoa, Tink! You're way cool!
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 1996 17:31:46 -0700
From: John Brasaemle (jbrasaem@jeffco.k12.co.us)
Organization: Jeffco Schools
To: dougs@ccnet.com
Subject: Hi Tink
X-URL: http://www.ccnet.com/~dougs/tinker.html
Whoa,Tink! You're way cool!I have a sweet little lady
Meyers who seems to have some of the same habits you do.
Are you related?
Carol Brasaemle
jbrasaem@jeffco.k12.co.us
Tinker replied he was born somewhere in the S.F. Bay
Area.
So much for old home week,Tink.I was born in St. Louis.
Baby
jbrasaem@jeffco.k12.co.us
"What's going on?" said the
baby parrot.
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 22:27:45 -0700
From: Ron Johnson (Reynosa@ix.netcom.com)
To: dougs@ccnet.com
Subject: Whats goin on??
X-URL: http://www.ccnet.com/~dougs/tinker.html
Dear Tinker,
I am not sure what is going on? I was sitting in my cage
with all my buddies down at the pet store when all of a sudden, I find
myself in this little cage riding in a car. This new family takes me to
there house and puts me in this huge cage all my myself! All the food is
for me, all the water, and new toys!! I could get use to this. Anyway
they are sleeping now and I am pecking this message as fast as I can
before they catch me. I don't have a name and I was hoping you could help
me suggest a couple to my new owners. Wait I here someone is getting up I
am writing as fast as I can, write soon so scwaaaaaaaaaakkkkkkkkk
Tiki
the Bath Bowl
Buddy!
 |
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 1996 18:45:59 -0700
To: dougs@ccnet.com
From: Rena Amonson (ramonson@e-z.net)
Subject: hello from Tiki...
X-Attachments: C:\Download\tiki.jpg;
I saw your web page and just HAD to write back! I also have a Meyers,
Tiki, that imitates the smoke detector, microwave beeps, eats holes
in my shirts (when I let him get away with it), and makes kissing
sounds when my husband, Paul, and I hug and kiss or Tiki makes when
we kiss his beak.
I've been hunting for someone to compare notes and obtain information
about Meyers parrots for a LONG time (Tiki is about a year and a half
old). Attached is a .jpg of him when he was a baby - just after he'd finished
a bath.
Take care and have fun
Paul, Rena and Tiki...
ciao for now...
Rena Amonson - ramonson@e-z.net
Homepage: http://www.e-z.net/~ramonson/
*YES* there is a picture on the homepage... :)
|
Quin is a talented talker!
From: GGKL@aol.com
Date: Fri, 6 Sep 1996 00:00:32 -0400
To: dougs@ccnet.com
Subject: Tinker Home Page
We have a 2 yr old Meyer's parrot named Quinn.
Quinn is a popcorn chow hound too. (also loves peanuts,
watermellon, oranges, grapes and yams!)
We got Quinn when he was 3 months old. I call him
our first hatched -- and he is quite the talkative
"child." He says: Hi, How are you, What are you doing,
Right Now, No (this is a favorite, and he can say it in
a myriad of inflections!), Night Night and
Pick me up.
It was fun to meet Tinker -- and another Meyer's
parrot parent.
Kathryn Lambert (GGKL@AOL.COM)
Joanie the Cuddly Meyers
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 20:23:29 -0700
From: Susie Morgan
To: dougs@ccnet.com 72260.2730@compuserve.com
Subject: Tinker
X-URL: http://www.ccnet.com/~dougs/tinker.html
Hi Doug,
My husband and I have a Meyers Parrot named Joanie. She is 2 years old.
She belonged to a friend of ours who is a veternarian and his wife kept
developing pneumonia and the Doctor though it was because of Joanie.
Well, we've had her since the end of January '96 and when she first came
to us, she was a biter. Now she is a lover! She loves my husband Ed and
wants to cuddle every night with him. She sits on his right shoulder and
wants to crawl under his shirt collar and cuddle underneith. She really
longs for companionship! She doesn't speak yet but we were told that
because she mimics our whistles, she will eventually talk. I think she
is spoiled. When Ed comes home at night, she recognizes the sound of the
garage door going up (automatic garage door opener) and starts shreeking.
She knows that her favorite man is home. She loves Doritos and
Marionberry's. She likes to "fling" the berries all over the wall!!!
Not my favorite thing! Ed thinks she is easy to take care of but that is
because I do all the work! She's really a part of our family and is
beautiful. Of course we aren't sure if Joanie is Joanie or Jonnie???
Who cares, she's not telling.
Thanks for your cute web page. It's nice to see other cute Meyers
Parrots.
Best wishes to Tinker from Joanie,
Ed & Susie Morgan,
Spokane, WA
An Oscar Meyers Parrot.......
Date: Fri, 17 May 1996 17:51:05 -0400
From: Bird Fun (Bird_Fun_3@wow.com)
Subject: Meyer's parrot
To: "dougs@ccnet.com
Hi Doug!!!
I was so glad to find the Meyer's section on the website. I enjoyed reading about Tinker!
I too have a Meyer's. I named him Oscar...Meyer's! He is only 5 mos. old and he's
just wonderful. I've potty trained him and he learned to give kisses and shake
hands...or fingers, in his case! He was a Valentine's Day gift to me from my hubby!
Best gift ever!!! Oscar sure does mumble a lot but not sure if he'll be talking someday.
Either way, we really do love him! I've gone bird crazy and already want another.
I hear Ringnecks are nice and I may just get one in another year or two.
I have to spoil Oscar first!
Thanks for listening and enjoy your lil' Tinker!!! BTW, I'm not too far from you...I'm
in San Lorenzo, rather closeby, wouldn't you say????! Maybe someday Tinker could
meet Oscar! :)
Nancy
Jockes is afraid of his people!
Date: Tue, 30 Apr 96 12:20:57 0100
From: Alfredsson Brittmarie (Brittmarie.B.Alfredsson@telia.se)
Organization: Telia AB
To: dougs@ccnet.com
Subject: Baby parrot
I am writing to you because of a litte Meyer Parrot baby one and a half
yeard old. He came to me last Christmas and he is the most charming
little bastard I ever met.
I have just one problem. He is still afraid of me and the others in my
family. The nearest I can come to him is about 50cm. Is it someting I can do to
get him friendley to us? Is it just the time....?
Would be nice if you can give me some advises.
(sorry for my bad English)
"JOCKES" best thing to do is to crach everything and he is so big and
strong as long as he is alone or on safe distance from us. He chatter,
flyes, walks, bites all over the room and he is searching for company
if he had been alone for a while.
I have tryed to do things in his way and I have noticed that he loves
children. For example my grandson who is at the same age as himself.
PLEASE GIVE ME SOME TIPS!!!!!!!!
brittmarie.b.alfredsson@telia.se
Greetings from Gilmour
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1996 13:37:41 -0800
From: Gabriel Chrisman (gabeman@u.washington.edu)
Organization: University of Washington
To: dougs@ccnet.com
Subject: A hello from Gilmour!
X-Url: http://www.ccnet.com/~dougs/tinker.html
Hi Tinker!
My name is Gilmour, and I am a Meyer's parrot, too. My owners,
Lisa and Gabriel picked me up on their vacation to California over
Spring Break. But now, I live in Seattle.
It seems like we are quite a bit alike. I, too, love to sit on
either Lisa or Gabriel's shoulder, and I play clicking games with
them, and sometimes I wrap myself up in Lisa's hair. I especially
like to do this when I get out of the shower. They take me in with
them sometimes. They also gave me a toothbrush so I could do that
with them, too.
When it comes to food, I must admit that I am a spoiled little
bird. I get lots of fruits and veggies, fresh, homemade bread, and
homemade pizza on occassion, and other snacks.
My home is in the kitchen, and I like to sit on their shoulder when
they are cooking or doing the dishes. Sometime's Lisa squirts me
with water when she is cleaning.
I also love to play when they are doing hoework. Everything they
use is a toy for me. I love the cord to the mouse and the computer
keyboard.
They try to put up a towel to keep themselves clean when I am on
their shoulder, but I am too smart for that. I always find their
shirt to be a much better place. But, I'm still only a baby, and I
am still learning.
I am also learning how to copy noises and talk, but so far, I have
only learned to copy the alarm clock! They are trying to teach me
hello! and Kiss! I will learn soon.
Well, Tinker, it was nice speaking with you. Please come visit me
on Gabriel's home page. There is even a great picture of me hanging
from Lisa's toothbrush in a hotel on the way up from California.
Hmmm, maybe that is why I got my own. Maybe I'll do that more
often?!
See you later,
Gilmour
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~gabeman/
or reach me by e-mail:
gabeman@u.washington.edu OR
ltess@u.washington.edu
Winston wants to know how to be a better
bird...
Date: Sun, 07 Apr 96 16:00:57 0300
From: hannu tauriainen (tauriainen@unisys.unisys.elisa.fi)
Organization: unisys
To: dougs@ccnet.com
Subject: Hi Tinker
Hi Tinker,
I'm meyer's parrot from Finland. People call me Winston, I really don't
know why they do that. I'm a tramp, I think I am two years old and I live
in the third place now. Times have been hard for me. I don't let my owner
to touch me, I'm afraid of my cage, I only go to eat there. And I even
can't speak. I don't like going to bath, but my owner gives me showers
at least once a week and I don't like that. I know my owner cares me much
and this is my last change to keep a home. Please, if you have some advices
how to live with people around me it would be nice to hear from you. I want
to be a better bird.
Bye..
(I (Hannu Tauriainen) wrote this for Winston, because he has not yet learned
to use keyboard!)
Tika Writes...
Date: Fri, 01 Mar 96 00:08:24 -0800
From: Bruce n Lisa Petersen (croixnet@win.bright.net)
Subject: (no subject)
Greetings, Tinker, from Tika in Wisconsin!
Tika is a year-old Meyers, (I've been told Tika is a she because of her
one white claw) and displays much of the behavior described about Tinker.
Interesting similarity in their names!
Tika meows at Curio and Morgaine, her two pet cats. I ask her "What does
a kitty-cat say?" and she responds with a surprisingly realistic cat's
meow. We once scolded our youngest son for trying to scare Tika by
meowing, he said, "But it wasn't me; it was Tika!" Sure enough, it was!
Tika is not sure what to make of the big white dog, though. Barking is
more difficult, I guess.
Tika talks quite well, and is quite sure that her name is really Pretty
Bird and that her person (that is me, Lisa) is named Baby. Now, however,
Tika says "Peesa" when she wants me to scratch her head and neck.
After long periods of concentrated silence in the home office, 'Teek' will
suddenly say from within her cage, "Hiiie," just to check in with me!
When I've been gone for a day and call on the phone, Tika cautiously
approaches the receiver, hears me say, "Hi, Tika!", and then Tika says
back somewhat timidly, "Hi, Baybeee."
Teek also sits on my shoulder for long periods of computer time (when her
wings are clipped). When she tires of putting holes in the towel that I
lay over my shoulders to protect my T-shirts, when my ear doesn't taste so
good any more, or when she just plain wants my complete attention, Tika
walks down my arm, stands on the keyboard, and presses her face between my
fingers for pets and cuddles. Other times, I, too, must remove the towel
in order to remove her from my shoulder.
Unfortunately the pet store employees that cared for her allowed her to
pick their teeth, so Tika has an obsession with trying to get at my pearly
whites (which I refuse to allow!)
And what a ham she is! Her favorite song is "Jungle Love" by the Steve
Miller Band. She goes bananas when that song plays on the radio; fluffs
her feathers, makes tons of bizzare whistles, chirps, and screeches,
laughs (yes, she laughs like a human, even in response to people laughing
in the other room!) and even requests to hear the song by whistling the
beginning of it.
If I sleep late on a weekend, Tika waits quietly until she hears through
her cage cover that I am stirring, then gently makes kissing sounds and
soft clucks to check if I am really awake. If I say, "Hi, Tika," Tika
responds with a cheerful "Hieee!" I've never met a more polite creature.
I've discovered that she talks far more when she is in her cage, and her
biting increases the more time she has out of her cage.
Meet Simba the Parrot King!
Date: 29 Feb 96 19:38:15 EST
From: David Bouchard (73501.242@compuserve.com)
To: Doug Smith (dougs@ccnet.com)
Subject: Thank You
Hi Doug,
Just a quick note to thank you for your reply to my inquiry on the
meyer's parrot. Thanks for telling me about Tinker. I saw
Tinker on your Web page and enjoyed reading about his adventures.
Although a bird that mimicked well would be nice, I believe that
you are correct. Big things do come in small packages. This
is one of the reasons that I purchased my Meyer's who my children
have decided to call Simba AKA the Lion King.
Simba's personality and overall gentelness is unbelieveable.
It's as if you are holding a baby bunny in your hand. I have
high hopes for our new baby and just being him or herself
is all that I can ask.
Again, thanks for taking the time to respond.
David Bouchard
Mel is Cool...
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 1996 16:23:41 -0800
From: Kay Hardy (kayo@well.com)
Organization: The WELL
Subject: Meyers parrot
X-URL: http://www.ccnet.com/~dougs/tinker.html
Hello -- I found Tinker's page by doing an Altavista search for "meyers
parrots" on the Internet. I have a Meyers I bought from a bird store in
Berkeley 6 years ago. Interestingly, this was also a pre-owned bird, and
the store owner told me the bird had been returned because the family had
a baby and the bird was jealous. After reading your story, I wonder if
this is a common bird store line. Anyway, Mel adores my husband but
tolerates me, and since I'm the primary caregiver, it can get a little
tense. Mel says "Hi Mel," "pretty bird," "pretty mel," and when he wants
what you're eating, he says "cutie!" He likes to do acrobatic tricks to
get your attention if you're reading or watching TV. He loves almonds in
the shell, bananas, and grapes. He's extremely loving and affectionate
with my husband and counts on me for head scratching, etc., but will
attack me without warning.
It looks from the picture on your web page that Tinker has a blue belly.
Mel's is green and gray.
Sierra the Cutie!
Date: Fri, 08 Mar 96 01:02:24 0800
From: LSCF User (user@mentor)
To: dougs@ccnet.com
X-Url: http://www.ccnet.com/~dougs/tinker.html
I have Meyer's parrot too named Sierra and (s)he is a cutie. In fact,
she says "Hi cutie" to wake me up in the morning. She does a great
microwave imitation, meows, and barks. Funny how you bought Tinker in
Lafayette because I am originally from Walnut Creek and am a student at
Santa Barbara. It's fun to see pictures of a bird like mine on the net.
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