Hiyaaaaaaaaaa !!The Beginning!
About 2 years ago I came home from the gym and I had the greatest shock I think I have ever had,there before me sitting on the living room table was a cage containing a Barn Owl. I don't think it's proper to say what my first thoughts were as I was in a state of disbelief. My son had found her injured and somehow imagined that I could take care of her, which was highly unlikely as my knowledge of owls was absolutely nil. After closer examination (not too close may I add) I noticed she was ringed so it was obvious that someone had looked after her before. After making enquiries to various organisations and making no headway whatsoever I quickly came to the conclusion that at the time I had been well and truly lumbered.
I realised that I had to make a few hasty decisions and made a journey to the local petshop to find out what and how often she should be fed. It's the first time in my life that I've walked up the road with a bag of one day old dead chicks under my arm and felt a right fool in the process. At first she was a very frightened bird but as time went by we began to get a bit more friendly and it got to a stage where I could let her out and fly around the room to get some exercise but the only problem was getting her back into her cage as her talons were razor sharp,so I had to obtain a pair of industrial gloves to handle her. In time though she began to get used to me handling her and I soon began to realise when she wanted her food or her daily exercise.
Hiyaaaaaaaaaa !!
As time passes!
At this time I was recovering from a serious illness and also having been made redundant from my employment I had lots of time on my hands to spend with her and we soon became good friends and also during this period of time I had also been on a computer course and was having lots of practise at home. Now Steffi to my surprise,seemed to be infatuated with the computer screen and one of her great delights of the day was to sit on my shoulder and stare into the screen while I was working on the internet or having a conversation with someone.
As we went along I became more interested in owls and began to study their behaviour.With a lot of assistance from watching Steffi I then also began to download material from the internet as well as reading books at the local library.
Steffi and myself were really getting along great now and I was gradually beginning to stay up later at night watching her fly around the living room and all the other antics she was getting up to. Little did I realise that I was getting obsessed with these lovely creatures.
Gotchaaaaaaaaaa !!
Steffi getting serious!
Now Steffi was literally beginning to rule the roost in the room and apart from myself would make a swoop on anyone who came into it. One day the doctor was called to see my grandson who had been taken ill. Now the doctor,having an inquisitive nature,somehow decided to put his face right up against the side of the cage. Steffi, deciding enough was enough and not being one for politeness and protocol made a dive with her talons forward and gave him a beautiful gash right down the front of his nose,leaving him feeling rather embarassed about the whole situation.
Ooooooooops!
The Collection!
Now not realising how devoted I was getting to her, the house was beginning to fill up with all sorts of owl material, there were owl ornaments all over,spreading from the living room right up the stairs to the bedrooms. Everywhere I went I was looking for owl stuff and people even began bringing all sorts of things to the house for me--unknown to me I was beginning to build quite a reputation for myself.
I've got company!