Corky

Last week I went to our local pet store to pick up a couple of new fish for my aquarium. Of, course, every visit to the pet store is never complete without spending a few minutes admiring and chatting with each and every critter! This particular day was no exception.

Before I headed over to the aquariums to select my fish, I checked out the furry bunnies; I watched the hamsters spin in their wheels; I spent a long time watching the turtles and tortoises; and I even took a quick glimpse at the snakes, geckos, assorted other reptiles, rats, and crickets.

Eventually I wandered over to the bird section. I chatted with them, whistled at them, and watched them play. I walked away several times only to immediately circle right back around and start talking with them again. Finally a sales person came up and asked me if I needed any help. I said, "No thank you, I am just trying to convince myself I DON'T need a bird."

She said,"Well, I have been watching you circle for quite some time now as I was giving you time to ponder, and it looks to me like maybe you really DO need a bird."

I replied, "No, I don't have a cage or anything. I would need to buy everything. I really don't think I want to spend the money today."

To which she of course said, "Well, let me show you some really nice cages and supplies we have on sale now."

I know this is where I should have ran out of there as fast as I could and I really did try, but instead my feet just followed her to the bird supplies, where I quickly found the cage I wanted and all the supplies I needed for my new feathered friend. With all the necessities loaded into my basket, the sales lady asked me if I needed a few minutes to pick out the bird I wanted. I promptly replied,"Oh that won't be necessary; I have already chosen one." At this remark she just smiled at me with that 'I knew you really wanted a bird' look in her eye.

And that is how I got Corky. He is silly, funny, noisy, messy... but not very tame. It has taken me a week to get him to sit on my finger outside of his cage. I am really enjoying him though and he seems very smart...he only 'hollers' at Lucy when the cage door is closed up tight and she can't get to him!

Oh yeah. I did go back a few days later and get the fish. I was hoping one of those cute tortoises would accidentally find itself in my basket, no such luck......but maybe next time.

Corky the character!