In my years of offering a safehouse, a home, a sanctuary to needy parrots and parakeets, I had many beautiful, albeit troubled birds pass through my care. Some stayed, some were just on the final step of their journey to their forever home. They were all tremendously special in their own way.

Cinders however, was that little bit different from the very beginning. I knew I was going to meet a very anti-social large beaked bird who's greatest glee in life was biting humans! That was our first introduction in fact, Cinders bit me good and hard. Once I had managed to prise my finger from her vice like beak, I looked at her face, into her gleaming, laughing eyes, and I loved her. This bird had SO much character, SO much charisma, and she was SEVENTY FIVE years old.

The following story is the story of my life with Cinders, although I wrote it with children in mind, so please bear that in mind when you read it!

Cinders was special to me in a way that I can not put into words really, but please read her book, because I think you will understand!