Pet parrots require a long-term commitment

Dear Heloise: I feel you must expand on your comments on getting a parrot if you want a long-term pet. A parrot, indeed, is a long-term pet, but the flip side is parrots are a long-term commitment, as well. I urge you to let people know that a parrot is not a pet to pick up on a whim. Parrots can't just be put in a cage and tucked into a corner to look pretty.

They need lots and lots of interaction with you, as they are part of a flock in the wild. Once you take one as a pet, you become its flock. And that entails a lifetime of attention.

You also must think about what will happen to your parrot after you're gone … because it might outlive you! I've seen too many sad and neglected birds stuck in garage/spare rooms or even a basement because people didn't realize how much work and time it takes to have a parrot as a family member. And that's what a parrot needs to be — part of your family! Not part of your decor.

My yellow nape, David Lee, and I have been together for 25 years now, and I hope it's 25 more! Please follow up with your readers so having a parrot won't be the next big thing.

— Ilene Casebeer, via e-mail

How right you are! Parrots can live a lifetime or two! Some species of parrots can live 50, 75 and more than 100 years. Folks, do take this into consideration if you are considering bringing a parrot into your family!

— Heloise

Dear Readers: Gwen Gephart of Fort Wayne, Ind., send a photo of her granddog, Allie, a 6-year-old Dalmatian/ pointer mix who is smiling like crazy. Gwen says: "Allie is full of smiles for all of us, although when she first did it, we thought she was cross. However, her tail was wagging like crazy, and she is the happiest, most loving dog I've ever seen!"

To see smiling Allie, visit www.Heloise.com.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: In a recent hint, contributions to an animal shelter was the subject. A friend and I take old bedspreads, comforters, blankets and the like, cut them down and make pillowcaselike sleeping pads. With wrong side out, we stitch three sides, partially at the top, turn them right side out and then stitch the opening. Then we sew a large "x" or intersecting lines through the pad, and we make them of varying sizes.

I've even gone to garage sales and purchased bedspreads that can be cut down this way. I know the dogs and cats like them. I did one for my own pets, and it's a tossup as to who is on it first — the cat or the dog.