Pets and Their People: What’s up, Dok?
He’s big and he’s blue.
Not the cookie monster — that’s his favorite toy — he’s a hyacinth macaw.
Dok, raised from babyhood by Pamela Donushi and the folks at Bayshore Animal Hospital, struts along the linoleum floor amassing smiles from the people he passes.
“He’s quite a character,” says Donushi about her feathered friend. A frame holds pictures of Dok’s “childhood” through the years. An early one shows him with his stuffed toy as his feathers are coming in. “Look how tiny!” remarks Donushi.
Dok recently celebrated his 26th birthday with a cake and song. As Donushi sings “Happy birthday” to him he spreads his wings and puffs his chest out proudly.
“He’s also kind of a showoff,” laughs Donushi.
Second in the series “Pets and Their People” video by Herald visual journalist Tiffany Tompkins, starring special pets (and the people they own). Do you have a special pet that makes you smile, even on the toughest days? Please contact Tompkins at ttompkins@bradenton.com. Both of you might be the Herald’s next stars.
This story was originally published November 14, 2017 at 2:53 PM with the headline "Pets and Their People: What’s up, Dok?."