Page 12 - Martin Downs Bulletin - October '23

Page 12, Martin Downs

tip oF tHe tail
Kids

Corner Sudden Death … Is Rarely 2. Respond quickly. My advice to clients is to make
Sudden an appointment the moment they notice something out of
the ordinary. If the signs are subtle, make an appointment
with a competent avian veterinarian as soon as practical.
Reading Time With Dad If the bird gets back to normal, the appointment can
always be cancelled. If the signs are serious, get help
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., immediately. As already described, the bird could be on
School Psychologist its last leg. Serious signs include sitting quietly on the
James and the Giant bottom of the cage, sleeping constantly on the perch,
Peach and Danny, complete loss of appetite, difficulty moving around … and
Champion of the World anything else significantly different from the individual’s
were two of Roald Dahl’s normal behavior.
books my dad read 3. Practice preventative maintenance. In other words,
with me when I was in do regular checkups, ideally on at least an annual basis.
elementary school. Some Chronic illness can frequently be detected before it
of my fondest childhood becomes terminal.
memories were reading Over the decades that I have been practicing, I’ve made
these books with my dad. A few days ago, a client came in with a cockatiel that a clear observation: 90 percent of the illness I see are in
We did other things together like playing basketball, going had been sick for less than 24 hours … or so he thought. patients I’ve never seen before, and 90 percent of the
fishing, and riding bikes but the relational connection of A physical exam revealed that the 12-year-old female was patients I see for annual exams never present with terminal
sitting next to my dad on the couch and feeling his presence frighteningly thin, literally skin and bones. Despite all illness. Many causes of illness in pet birds can be avoided
and love was strong and evident. Dad gave me his precious efforts to diagnose and save the bird, a few hours later, simply through the education that comes with regular
gift of time. in intensive care, she died. veterinary visits. Other conditions can often be detected
The father-child relationship is powerful and creates a The truth is, the bird had not been sick for only one well before they become terminal. Everyone knows the
foundation for your child’s psyche to develop. Will your child day; she had probably been sick for weeks. What the value of regular checkups in people. Why shouldn’t our
feel loved and affirmed or rejected and ignored by dad? As owner observed was not the beginning of an illness, it feathered family get the same care? In fact, since they
a school psychologist and dad, I get it. Dads are busy. Dads was the beginning of the end. The sad truth about exotic don’t speak well for themselves, sound physical exams
might believe they don’t have the nurturing instinct that mom pets, particularly birds, is that they pretend to be OK until and laboratory diagnostics can speak for them.
holds. They are busy providing for their family. Parenting they are too weak to do so. With very few exceptions, at Dr. Don J. Harris has joined Palm City Animal Medical
expert, Meg Meeker, M.D., says, “After 30 years in my that point it’s too late for them to be saved. Center after a long career in exotic animals as our exotic
medical practice and extensive research, I see one common Most pet birds are prey species. They subconsciously animal veterinarian.
thread in children of all ages: the direct correlation between believe that predators are always lurking, hoping to find Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
a father’s presence and a child’s well-being.” an easy meal. Easy meals are those individuals that are Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
If you are a dad reading this, it’s not meant to guilt you. slow or weak from illness or age. Therefore, in order not for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
Whether you’ve messed up or think it’s too late, your child to be targeted, pet birds usually do everything they can surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
of any age still needs you. They don’t need perfection; they to look well even when they may be seriously or even medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
need your presence and affirmation. Start small. Perhaps terminally ill. Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
for you it’s asking them more thoughtful questions, taking Since birds pretend to be OK even when they aren’t, how medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
a genuine interest in them telling you about a favorite video does one detect illness? There are three quite simple steps: owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
game, or watching a funny video together. For other dads it 1. Respond to any change in behavior or appetite. www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
is telling your child what every child wants to hear: You love Increased or decreased hunger, becoming less active or Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
them and are proud of them. hyperactive, vocalizing more or less, etc., are all alarms
Parenting is an on the job learning experience. Here are that should be investigated.
a few resources to help you along the way: Meg Meeker’s
book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, Robert Lewis’ book
Raising A Modern Day Knight or John C. Maxwell’s book Club news
Intentional Living, are thoughtful books to help dads along
their parenting journey. Check out AllProDad.com. Dad, you
got this.
Call or text to discuss your child as we test for autism, ‘Publish’ Your Ancestry returned to the hobby seriously 30 years ago. Attride
dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Visit Story With The Martin has made genealogical trips to Salt Lake City, the
JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125. United Kingdom and Germany. He self-published a
County Genealogical Society book about the Bassett families of Wales, first used
Kindle Direct Publishing to publish a book about his
If you’ve ever wanted to write a book about your wife’s German heritage and recently published a book
lineage and family stories handed down through the about the history of his maternal great-grandfather’s
years, you won’t want to miss the November meeting hometown in Germany. Active in MCGS since 2018,
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing of the Martin County Genealogical Society (MCGS). Attride has served as vice president and president of
Palm Beach County and is a privately Presenting “How to Publish the Book in You,” MCGS the organization.
owned and managed company. President David Attride will focus on using Amazon’s Free and open to the public, the meeting will be at
Captain’s is committed to providing Kindle Direct Publishing to publish and sell a book. the Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road in Stuart,
dependable, reliable and professional He also will discuss how to use MixBook to create
ground transportation to and from all from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17. To participate via
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 photo books to share your memorable images. Zoom, go to mcgsfl.org/events and register by Nov. 16.
To reserve your vehicle: Florida native Attride grew up in Cocoa Beach The Martin County Genealogical Society offers
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com and Daytona Beach and earned a Bachelor of Science a variety of services at the Genealogy Room in the
degree in chemical engineering at the University Blake Library including an extensive research library,
of Florida in 1979. He left the state for 40 years, access to several genealogy websites and assistance
Answer for working for a major chemical company in Tennessee. from MCGS volunteers. For more information about
He took his first steps in genealogy as a teenager and
membership, activities and services go to mcgsfl.org.
Crossword Puzzle

Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD,

Gifted Testing

NOW OFFERING: Dr. Jim Forgan & Associates
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