Posted on 01/16/2006 7:38:29 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
A TALKATIVE parrot was being blamed for the break-up of a couple's relationship after squawking the name of the woman's secret lover, British newspapers reported today.
Ziggy, an eight-year-old African grey, prompted a confession from 25-year-old call centre worker Suzy Collins that she was having a four-month fling with a former colleague when the pet blurted out: "Gary, I love you."
The bird had previously said "Hiya, Gary" when Collins' mobile phone rang and made kissing noises when the name was mentioned on radio or television but its owner, Chris Taylor, from Leeds, northern England, laughed it off.
But the computer programmer – who bought the bird as a chick and named it after singer David Bowie's alter ego, Ziggy Stardust – said the penny dropped when the couple were snuggled up on the sofa before Christmas.
"We were watching telly when Ziggy blurted out, 'I love you, Gary' in Suzy's voice. I started laughing but when I looked at Suzy, I could tell something was up. Her face was like beetroot and she started to cry," the 30-year-old said.
"I felt sick to my stomach. She told me that she'd been seeing someone she'd met at work called Gary and that she wanted to finish with me.
"She said she was going to tell me anyway but she didn't know how and couldn't find the right time. I've not idea who this Gary is. I was devastated. Suzy left that night and I've not seen her since.
"She came back to collect her stuff when I was out. I hope I never see her again."
Ms Collins told newspapers she was not proud of her actions but admitted she never liked Ziggy in the first place.
Mr Taylor – already divested of a girlfriend – has now given away Ziggy.
"I couldn't get him to stop saying that bloody name ... what else could I do?" he said.
Gotta hate it when this happens.....LOL
He went and reported his loss to the K.G.B.
"For what are you reporting this to us?" the K.G.B. man replied when the owner told his story. "Go and call the militsiya [civil police]. Why are you calling this department?"
"Because," the bird owner replied, "If you find it I want you to know that I don't share its political views!"
She should have known to get a sheep! Sheep don't talk.
Right, Pissie?
Only if I lived in near Brokeback Mountain.
*ping*
Thought you would get a kick out of this one.
Those African gray parrots are incredible mimics. My cousin had one that would call the dogs up the door using his voice. "Come on, boys - time for supper!"
I love it!
Me too. And Dasher's bird keeps saying "oh Pissant" and I've never even been there. Hmmmmm.
My African Gray "Kirby" calls for the kids when the phone rings!
I guess the lesson is if you have a bird and then take a lover make sure your first candlelight dinner has something to do with Shake-and-Bake!
LOL!
This is a great story.
Hmmm, my Moluccan can moan "I want ouuuuUUuuuuTTTTtt!" when I put her up for the night. The little Conure will say "Uh Oh!" when he sees the cats.
Perhaps she has an incontinent dog....
LOL! I guess it's like having a child - never say anything in front of the parrot that you don't want repeated at the worst possible time!
Yes, having an African Gray is like having a child!
So did she finish? Or did she just walk out?
She has no dog. So I'm trying to think of how her darn bird got my name....
Pissant is incontinent. That's how he got his name.
His wife calls him Depends.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.