Há algum tempo atrás, ainda a Albertina morava na Casa da Albertina, chegou uma caturra a uma outra casa lá perto.

We’ve never told the story here of Jonas, our first pet and companion to our duo, Tique Nervoso. Like any child, we really wanted a pet in our home. One day, after a long wait, we were given permission to welcome a new friend into our home.
And that’s how Jonas arrived, the parakeet who stole our hearts.
He spent his first few moments rather shy, keeping to himself in his new home, but we soon heard him singing cheerfully. He settled in quickly: he’d sit with us watching television, steal food from our plates, gnaw at the corners of the doors and pull the buttons off every remote control in the house. And he also learnt everything he needed to. When he wanted a cool bath, he’d land on the bathroom tap and call out to someone; when he wanted sunflower seeds, he’d peck at anything red; and when he wanted water, he’d peck at a glass. He asked for cuddles and strokes all the time and travelled everywhere with us.
Jonas was never the sort of little bird to sit quietly in his cage; he would interact with anyone who came round the house and made a point of making his presence felt at any event taking place there. He was a curious explorer.
Unfortunately, on one of these outings, he ate something he shouldn’t have whilst no one was looking, and by the time he showed signs of feeling unwell, it was too late for us to help him. Losing Jonas was a huge blow that devastated the whole family and left us feeling very frustrated that we hadn’t been able to help him in time.
He certainly left us with a great deal of love and the certainty that animals have a great deal to teach us.
I’d say it all started with this very special parakeet.
A few months ago, we came across a parakeet that needed help, just like Jonas, and this time we arrived in time, actually, it was Bolacho who arrived in time.
On an afternoon just like any other, we received an urgent call from the person we usually ring in an emergency. A cockatiel was in trouble after eating something it shouldn’t have and urgently needed a blood transfusion.
We went by car with everyone who might be able to help.
Bolacho the pigeon was the perfect candidate and, with every care and precaution taken, donated some of his blood to save this cockatiel.
It was with a special warmth in our hearts that we received the news that this parakeet was already ruffling its crest, perching on a finger, and that its wide, parakeet-like eyes were shining once more.
And Bolacho returned home without a hitch, like a true hero.