Parrot making a great partner

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This article was published 07/03/2012 (5015 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Anne Wowk can’t remember the last time she went home without her special feathered friend.

That’s because more than a month ago, the 99-year-old resident of Holy Family Home on Aberdeen Avenue made friends with Paullie, a parrot who lives in the home’s aviary.

“He sits on my shoulder any time I’m around,” she said last week.

The Jenday Conure parrot, who has been a resident at Holy Family for 14 years, a decade longer than Wowk, has taken a special liking to her.

Cindy Hayman, adult day co-ordinator at the home, said the relationship is more than just casual.

“Paullie has fallen in love with her. The bird can fly anywhere it wants, but chooses to stay on her shoulder,” she said.

“He walks right up to her and onto her arm.”

Wowk’s daughter Sonia Orgowski, who lives in East Kildonan, said the parrot makes a fantastic companion for her mom.

“It is something for her and others to look forward to every day and it is great to see the connection,” she said.

Wowk, who worked as a caterer at the Winnipeg Club and St. Charles Country Club, moved to Winnipeg more than 60 years ago. She said being born in the town of Rossburn may have helped build a relationship with feathered friends early in life.

“Growing up, I would hide birds’ eggs under the chickens to make sure they would hatch,” she said.
Hayman said it appears the shoe may now be on the other foot.

“When Anne is around, she is Paullie’s priority. He makes sure she gets to her room every single night,” she said.

The pair are also a hit on talent and entertainment evenings at the home, having become quite the lounge act with Paullie singing along to Anne’s clapping.

Hayman said Holy Family Home residents know to give Wowk, who turns 100 this December, her space.

“If you get too close to Anne, Paullie will bite you,” she said.

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