Couple quits smoking for health of parrot
Wed 4 August, 2004 23:08 
 
LONDON (Reuters) - A couple booked themselves into a clinic to
quit smoking after the vet said it was the only way to save their
beloved sick parrot.

Kevin Barclay and Sharon Wood gave up a 50-cigarette-a-day habit
to save their Amazon orange-winged parrot J.J., said the vet,
Glen Cousquer of the South Beech Veterinary Surgery in Essex.

"One of the key things that we need to get right with parrots
generally is air quality," he told Reuters on Wednesday.

"This particular bird presented with very severe respiratory
problems. The owners were instructed to do everything they could
to improve the bird's environment."

"I think I must have shaken the owners up quite badly, because
the next time I saw them they actually had booked themselves into
one of these anti-smoking clinics and were determined to stop.
They've gone five weeks," he said.

J.J., he said, "is doing really well. It is certainly going to
improve his life expectancy."

It may help the owners, too.
-30-

Tara J. Ballance
Montreal, Canada
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