Many of us have "an Alex connection." Whether we've had the joy of meeting him "in birdson" or not, the connection still exists. My own personal Alex Connection came from following everything I could find about him, and Dr. Pepperberg's work, since I first read about them during my college days. Many years later I began a business of my own, providing the same food-treats I had created for my own flock, to others. It became a great success. Meanwhile, a dear friend who started working with The Alex Foundation as its webmaster opened the door for me to donate my products for the very bird that I had so long admired and had even grown to love, as well as his cohorts Griffin and Arthur (aka "Wart"). I was thrilled to be able to support the work of The Alex Foundation, and knowing that these birds whom I had adored from afar for so many years were actually enjoying the very treat-foods that my own hands had created for them has been, and will continue to be, an amazing honor. And that's my Alex Connection.

Alex loved Berry Birdie Bites. In fact, Dr. Pepperberg once wrote to me, "...thanks so much for the endless supply of treats....there are some days when the only way I can get Alex to work is to bribe him w/ a birdie bite....:-)."

Lab manager Arlene, who always let me know when Alex's supply of Berry Birdie Bites needed to be replenished, told me that Alex created his own name for these treats: "Paaaa-T!" The "Paaaa" came from another food he enjoyed, pasta, which was crunchy like the Berry Birdie Bites. The "T!" was for treat. Bigger Berry bites were Alex's crunchy treat!

I believe that Alex was a one-of-a-kind parrot, but not that he was the only parrot who will help open up the mysteries of parrot intelligence and communication. I have followed Dr. Pepperberg's work with Alex for decades, and will continue to follow and support the work of The Alex Foundation with donations of my products, not only to her parrots but also for fund raising work.

It is to this end that I will continue to offer Alex's "Paaaa-T!" treats as a way of generating funds for The Alex Foundation and Dr. Pepperberg's research. If you wish to help, and purchase a Paaaa-T! pack of 50 treats for your own bird, just click on the link below. Of your $10, $2.50 will be sent to The Alex Foundation every month. I will continue to absorb the shipping and paypal costs, I believe so strongly in the work that these wonderful people - and Griffin and Wart of course! - are doing.

Thank you for supporting The Alex Foundation, and the memory of Alex.

You can also support The Alex Foundation here, or you can visit Alex's LePerroquet Gris Boutique to purchase TAF gifts here.

NOTE: This program is approved by The Alex Foundation.