Lizard Puppy?

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Emelio said something today that I haven’t heard him say in a long time. Some words and phrases are used on a daily basis, but there are others that the birds will say for a while, then will either forget about or just stop using.
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Remember when Taco Bell had that Chihuahua on their commercials? I particularly loved the one where the dog was calling Godzilla by saying “Here lizard, lizard, lizard”, then when he sees the monster he says “Oh oh, I think I need a beeger box!” I tried so hard to get Emelio to say that last line – he never would. But he did pick up the first part; it was hilarious to hear him call the lizard. Then he started playing with the word and would call the dog a “lizard puppy” and other such nonsense. When the commercial stopped being aired he eventually stopped saying it on a regular basis.

'The same thing happened after both the cat and the dog died. He stopped saying their names or calling for them. Although a couple of weeks ago I was using the computer right outside the bird room – all the birds were quiet and then Emelio said “Hi, ChiChi girl!” in a really enthusiastic voice. It made me wonder if she was back for a visit!

I remember the time I was cleaning Rani’s cage and she bit me (actually one of many times). I called her a bitch in a very loud voice (not one of my shining moments, but what the heck – it hurt!) Emelio must not have heard me very clearly because he immediately yelled out “Doutch!”, with exactly the amount of growling and threat that he heard in my voice. This became one of his favorite words. He used it for such a long time that one day Mark said “Will you please teach that bird the right way to say that word? “

“Well . . . No, I won’t.” I thought it was much more preferable than having him yelling “Bitch” all the time. He eventually began to say it less and less, but he hasn’t forgotten. It’s just another word in his growing vocabulary now; in storage, waiting for just the right time to be used.

Cathy