Jack

Jack is going to live with Gabi. I am so pleased. Ever since he came to live with us he has been yearning for Gabi. When she visits he is Mr. Friendly and screams long and loud when she goes. At first I thought it was Peter he missed as Peter is the one with the knack for cockatoos. Last night proved without a doubt that Jack loves Gabi. They'd come for dinner, champagne and beer, a sort of routine we've got into when they can visit, but with less junk food than before (they are a very good influence!). We sat around the island bench while I prepared the food and talked. Jack, despite the dark, shouted, yelled and screamed without letup. I'm pretty easy going as far as noisy cockatoos go but Jack hardly stopped to draw breath and it was annoying...except to Gabi. "I kind of like it," she said. Huh? After dinner I slipped outside for a smoke. Jack was still yelling so I turned the light on under the gazebo so he could see to climb onto the standing perch which he did without hesitation. I carried him to the kitchen window and although part of him was wary (there are cats in there!) he looked happy to be finally gazing at his beloved. Peter came out to say a cautious hello followed by Gabi. And that was it. Jack climbed onto her arm, preened her arm, nuzzled into her sweater, gazed adoringly at her face with that soft expression which only sulphur crested cockatoos in love can make and generally proved to the best of his ability that Gabi was his Lady Love and if we didn't see that and let him go live with her than we were cruel, inhumane and completely stupid. So it's settled. Gabi was willing to take Jack last night but Peter thought it best to prepare one of the aviaries for him, either the huge but disused bat creche or the smaller but closer to the resident cockatoos aviary. Frankly, as Jack does not attempt to fly, ever, even when he thinks he's in mortal danger, a large aviary is wasted on him. But that's for them to sort out. Part of me is a little sad for although we've had our moments, Jack is such a significant person, that we will not but notice his absence. No more "Hello Jack!' each time we walk past. No more afternoon grazing. No more of those searching direct looks he gives that are so full of meaning yet indecipherable. I will miss him but I am so glad he is going to be with his One True Love.