Relationship Test

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Sometimes we need to be the bad guy. When that happens, I don a fluorescent trucker hat (the "bad guy hat"), safety glasses, and heavy welding gloves. Routine medical care requires this safety equipment and a brief period of restraint while I clip talons, replace leather equipment, and trim their beak.

It was Otto's turn earlier this week. The whole event went smoothly and he returned to his freshly cleaned mew looking a little disheveled, but in one piece. 

I checked in on his camera periodically over the next few hours to see how he was recovering. He looked just fine, if a little jumpy at noises outside. As our normal afternoon training time approached, I was nervous to find out how he felt about me. Would he be afraid of me now after I grabbed him?

I cut up large chunks of mouse and prepared to do an easy session with Otto. The pattern games we've been practicing were the perfect way to test how he was feeling. I entered the mew with a little extra hissing from Otto. Once I sat down, I started "1, 2, 3, treat." He eagerly reached for the tidbit and looked at me for more. Okay, I thought. He's a little on edge, but he's not too upset if he'll take treats. 

I started the next pattern game, Super Bowls, that I wrote about last week. When he looked at me, I placed a treat on the next perch in line. He jumped right for it! He looked at me again and raced to the next treat without hesitation. I felt incredibly relieved that he didn't hate me, even after I had to be the bad guy hours earlier.

 

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