A year ago, my heart was captured by a very special, very brave little eclectus parrot who was diagnosed as a stress plucker and was missing most of the feathers on his neck and chest. He wasn't very pretty and required more attention and care than most people had the time or desire to provide. I fell in love with him instantly and have since embarked on a fascinating journey into a behind the scenes world of joy and heartbreak that most people never get to see.

I now work as a volunteer for a bird rescue that is dedicated to rescuing parrot-type birds that have been either neglected, abused, sick, or injured. We rehabilitate them when necessary, and place them in safe, caring foster homes until a permanent home can be found. A very large number of these birds come into the system with untreated illnesses or injuries and require extensive veterinary care. While most of the avian specialists we work with provide an extrordinary amount of service for free, there is still a very substantial cost each month for medical care that is covered strictly through individual donations by loving and caring people.

With our current economy in a major downslide, funds are slowly declining as private donors are understandably forced to look to their own family's care and security first.

So why am I telling you this long story? Because I want people to be aware of something that is really important that you can easily help do something about.

I am not asking for donations, nor am I asking that you deprive your own family of financial security in any way. What I am asking is that when you do your shopping for the upcoming Holidays, spend some time on our affiliate sites and shop through our links if they offer anything appropriate for that special someone on your list.

That's it? Just shop? Yep! I was going to go shopping anyway! Yep! See how easy that was?

(For those of you on MY holiday list, don't be surprised if you receive a 2009 calendar from Amazon or a holiday ornament from CafePress)

I can promise you that 100% of all proceeds earned through these affiliates will be donated to Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue to help offset medical costs for birds in distress.

Some of the affiliate links to the right and below belong to Fiona's Faerie Cottage and some of them belong to Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue, but all of them will help in a very big collective way! Since Mickaboo is run solely by volunteers, who provide all transportation, housing and care for over 200 special-needs birds, all funds can be specifically designated to offset medical costs.

Thanks for shopping!