Reader .. meet Charles

I inherited him from my grandmother when she passed. This was her prized possession and I am delighted to have him. He was given to my grandmother by my late grandfather. Charles LOVED my grandmother.. He doesn't really have the spark he once did .. and he seems to only tolerate me. I have made it my mission to give this 15 year old guy the best possible life imaginable. I traded in his shanty of a cage for a mansion. Every bird toy made is in this cage. From a wee abicus to the pink perch pictured. .. I even went as far as to cut out a picture of another bird from one of the toy packages.. I wanted Charles to have a friend.

Many of the toys promised a natural remedy to over grown beaks... See, a bird's beak is kinda sorta like a finger nail.. without proper use and or grooming.. it would grow and grow. I took Charles to the doctor the 1st day I got him .. and they trimmed his little beak WAY down.. I figured he was a healthy old bird.. Fast forward 4 weeks.. and I noticed that the beak again had grown far too long and was impeading his ability to eat. I freaked, of course.. and made an emergency appointment at the vet. I squawked at the 52.00 exam fee.. but soon realized that I was lucky to get any doctor in the office the Friday before Memorial day. I brought old Charles in and as soon as the vet layed eyes on him, she said he wasn't right. He was lathargic and thin.. and she plucked him out of the cage. After peering into his mouth, she reported that he had a ferocious infection.. She said it was probably Claymidia.. wait, what? How did MY bird.. dear old Charlie get an STD? I mean he is nice looking and a bit of a flirt.. but he isn't a playa! Apparently, in birds.. this is a viral disease that isn't transmitted via sex .. I was relieved.. how would I explain this one!
He has had a battery of tests.. and is now on MEDS..$170- later .. ...
Say a prayer, dear reader, for lil Charlie..