Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary Inc.
Where Hope Takes Flight
October 29 history is full of wild moments – both at Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary and around the world. Every year on this date, something memorable happens. While the world makes headlines, we’ve been making our own kind of October 29 history – the kind that involves buckets of toys, screaming cockatoos, midnight rescues, and a surprising number of birthday cakes.
These funny bird stories and parrot sanctuary stories might not make the textbooks, but they’re just as unforgettable. Let’s see how our version of October 29 historical events stacks up against the world’s version. Spoiler alert: we win in feathers, chaos, and comedic timing.
October 29, 2010. My post read: “Off to the hospital again! It feels like one of my kidneys just popped!”I was in pain, confused, and absolutely convinced my internal organs had formed a union and were demanding new working conditions.
Nothing says “Happy October 29th” like a trip to the ER and a morphine drip.
If you’d told me back then that a few years later, I’d be spending this date worrying about parrots escaping harnesses instead of kidney stones, I’d have asked what brand of meds you were on.
In 2004, Europe signed its constitutional treaty. So while the EU was trying to unify nations, I was trying to keep my organs unified. Both involved complex negotiations and a lot of discomfort.
What We Were Doing:
Fast forward five years in our October 29 timeline. Ray Ray was “ready to go with daddy and enjoy a day with all his friends,” which is parrot code for “I’m going to behave adorably, then give you a heart attack.”
Stormy was doing his morning talk show routine, and one of the birds decided the decorative cardinal was a new friend. We let him think that. No one had the heart to explain it was fake.
What the World Was Doing:
On October 29, 2015, China officially ended its one-child policy after 35 years. An entire country was expanding its family while I was managing 15 feathered dependents and one confused bird hitting on a Christmas ornament. Balance.
October 29, 2017 was legendary in our bird sanctuary history. Tara posted: “So far it’s Ray – 2, harness – 0.” Ray Ray had flown around the building. Again.
In 1956, Israel invaded Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, starting the Suez Crisis. On our end, Thor invaded my sleep schedule. Both events required strategic withdrawal and tactical patience.
What We Were Doing:
October 29, 2017 was legendary in our bird sanctuary history. Tara posted: “So far it’s Ray – 2, harness – 0.” Ray Ray had flown around the building. Again.Kiki was wearing sunglasses because bird fair fame went straight to his head. (They were Jessie’s, but Kiki invoked squatter’s rights.) Ian bravely let Ray Ray perch on his arm, which should qualify him for hazard pay.
We met supporters in person, shared stories, and somehow didn’t get arrested or lose anyone permanently. A triumph by all measures.
In 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in Geneva. While the Red Cross was bringing order to global crisis response, we were creating our own crisis management system involving one stubborn cockatoo and a handful of volunteers with nets.
What We Were Doing:
“Thrift Shop Lilly out at Lowe’s today,” I wrote. “She’s still a little raggedy but miles better than when we got her.”Sweetie was giving Tara “the eye”- possibly over her banana
Sweetie was giving Tara “while Baby sho head like she was following every word Tara said. Barbara Bird was glued to my side as I typed, offering creative input (and crumbs).
That’s sanctuary life: half rehab, half sitcom.
On October 29, 1923, Turkey became a republic. While a nation redefined itself, we were redefining what “glow-up” means for a bird who once looked like she’d lost a fight with a vacuum. Both were revolutions of a sort.
This was our science-teacher phase. We posted about the Olivaceous Piculet, bird “anting” behavior (yes, birds rub ants on themselves), and shared Houdini’s disciplined nightly play routine.
My caption said, “When I open my mouth, people figure out I have birds on the brain pretty fast.” Probably the most self-aware thing I’ve ever written.
On October 29, 1969, the first computer-to-computer message was sent over ARPANET — the birth of the internet. The first message was just “Lo.” It crashed before “Login.”
So while the world was accidentally inventing social media, we were posting bird trivia. Without that “Lo,” there’d be no Ruffled Feathers online, no viral bird videos, and no educational posts explaining why your parrot smells like a citrus candle after anting. Thanks, nerds.
Bear Bear turned 14! The only question was whether that was cake on his face or part of my finger.
Meanwhile, Ray and Magic played in their toy bucket while I pretended to quote an ancient philosopher: “A bucket of bird toys will soon end up on the floor.” It wasn’t real philosophy, but it was undeniably true.
In 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh was executed. So while Raleigh lost his head, Bear got cake. Perspective matters.
This one had range. I was at the lab getting blood drawn when the universe decided to send a wildlife call.
By nightfall, we were out in the rain rescuing a screech owl who flew into a truck. “Poor little screechy,” I posted. The bird survived, though my shoes didn’t.
Also, Bear celebrated yet another birthday. At this point, he’s basically the parrot version of Betty White – eternal, iconic, slightly chaotic.
On October 29, 1998, astronaut John Glenn returned to space at 77 years old. So while Glenn was orbiting Earth, I was orbiting traffic lights with an injured owl. Both missions required bravery, precision, and snacks.
You know what’s wild? Looking back at October 29 history, every year the world seems to make something memorable happen on this date. Meanwhile, we’ve been over here at Ruffled Feathers Parrot Sanctuary making our own kind of October 29 history – the kind that involves buckets of toys, screaming cockatoos, midnight rescues, and a surprising number of birthday cakes.
These funny bird stories and parrot sanctuary stories might not make the textbooks, but they’re just as unforgettable. Let’s see how our version of October 29 historical events stacks up against the world’s version. Spoiler alert: we win in feathers, chaos, and comedic timing.
Back in 1929 — 94 years earlier — the stock market crashed on Black Tuesday. Billions lost, panic everywhere.
Meanwhile, I was losing an argument with a cockatoo. Both events involved loud noises and emotional damage, but mine ended with eggs.
In 1863, the Red Cross was founded to help people in crisis.
In 1929, Wall Street collapsed.
In 1969, the internet said its first word.
In 1998, John Glenn reminded the world that age is just a number.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall.
In 1618, Sir Walter Raleigh had a really bad day.
And in 2023, a guy in Kentucky became a cockatoo dad.
Different kinds of heroism, same date.
Looking back at all these October 29th moments through the years, the pattern is clear: the world makes history, and we make heart.
While the world has its stock market crashes, constitutions, and revolutions, we’ve got bucket philosophers, owl rescues, and cockatoos who think harnesses are optional.
This day in history October 29 has seen empires rise and fall, but our kind of October 29 history is built feather by feather, rescue by rescue, laugh by laugh.
Because the truth is, the world needs both kinds of heroes:
The ones who change nations, and the ones who swerve for turtles.
So here’s to October 29th –
May your kidneys stay calm, your birds stay clipped (or harnessed… hopefully), and your day be filled with more birthday cake than catastrophe.
If you see an obstacle in the road, move over. It might just be someone waiting for a second chance.
And if a cockatoo tells you you’re starting a family… just build the nest. You’re not winning that argument.
When people ask what happened on October 29 in your life, you’ll have your own stories to tell – and that’s what makes October 29 history worth remembering.
– Brad
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Hi Lola. – Brad
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– Sherry
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Yes it took these two almost 2 months to even get close to one another when they were allowed out in the bird room together. Now they are the very best of friends and I'm glad I didn't rush them. They did fine accepting each other at their own pace. Have a wonderful evening everyone. – Brad
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Good morning. Ray is ready to go with daddy and enjoy a day with all his friends. We hope everyone enjoys today as well. – Brad
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Off to the hospital again! It feels like one of my kidneys just popped! It hurts so bad I got to go wish me luck!
Posted by Brad Harmon on Friday, October 29, 2010
Where Hope Takes Flight
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