A funny story about raising kids and birds.

Many years ago we were talked into an ill-fated venture by a friend to raise exotic birds, specifically parrots. We had a place out in the country and plenty of land, with a handful of kids, who we felt could learn a few things about life through raising animals.

Well, we took in a number of "bad birds", who through a combination of neglect and abuse were no longer were appropriate pets. Our hope was to find them a mate, and "put them out to pasture." We kept these bachelor birds in a big open flight aviary in the courtyard, in front of our house.

Julio was a big macaw with an extensive vocabulary, mostly in Spanish. He did however, say "Julio and hello" Julio was a rather rare and picky bird, and turned his beak up at would be female suitors. Over time, Julio became the single occupant of the large aviary out front, and seemed to be quite content.

As a bright bird Julio quickly picked common sayings around the house. He could call the dog to his cage by whistling and calling out "Here Roxy" in my husband's voice.

He could mimic my voice calling the kids in for dinner. More than once the kids all showed up at the table and dinner was no-where close to being done.

Perhaps the funniest was the way he mimicked the kids as they raced out to the car on their way to school, trying to call for front seat privileges.

Because every time Julio heard a car door open, he shouted out "I get shotgun."

Needless to say we didn't get too many traveling salesman making past our driveway.