Having a very difficult time making a decision

[kiwiS]

hello Parrot parents!

I am in a difficult situation and I was wondering if I can get some advice.

I've been looking for a bird for a while, contacted some breeders and such. Was looking more for a parakeet or parrotlet, something small.

While I was picking up some supplies at a pet store, I met this great little GCC. He took to me right away and vice versa.

I decided to take him home and try things out. Part of me said NO IMPULSE BUYING! But the other part said, well...its just a trial period, why pass up on a good connection.

Hmm..well it turned out not working out very well with our routine and our little dog (who is deathly afraid of the GCC). He seriously got depressed and would skulk away and hide. I felt sooooo guilty.

I work 8 hours a day, but am free on the weekends. I figured I could give him a couple of hours out of cage time, and spend whatever's left with my dog. It turned out pretty difficult to juggle as the little GCC was very beggy and demanding. Poor little thing wanted to be with me all the time. And my poor little dog sunk deeper into a funk.

So with a heavy, confused heart I returned the GCC thinking it was for the best.

Now I can't stop thinking about him..I miss that bird soooo much.

I don't know what to do, any advice?

 

[MikeyTN]

Certain dogs will be scared of them at the beginning but get over them over time! My Chihuahua is terrified of the big birds but he doesn't mind picking up crumbs by the bird cage as Willie likes to feed the dogs. Willie LOVES the dogs as he toss out food for them to eat ALL the time as the dogs sit by his cage to wait for him to toss them out.

You just need to learn to juggle around them if you seriously miss that little bird.

 

[aliray]

I agree with MickyTN . it does take a few days for some dogs to get used to a bird in the house just like any new pet. Usually a few days is all that is needed and remember the first pet always gets the attention first. Just make sure and supervise them if out together. For both your dog and the bird everything is new. With the dog it is a new sound in the house and smell and he may be a little jealous at first till he gets used to it being there and it just becomes part of the furnishings

 

[kiwiS]

Thank you Micky and aliRay for your replies. That is certainly food for thought. Maybe the sudden change in routine was just too overwhelming, and we just need time for everything to fall back into place. Well I'm going to go visit him tonight to see how he's doing. The store folks are really nice and said I could come in anytime to play with him. He's well taken care of there, has his own really huge aviary, about 7 feet tall with lots of toys and climbing branches.

 

[kiwiS]

I just wanted to write an update- I picked up Kiwi yesterday (again) and this time I am more prepared. I missed her so much. I spoke to a dog trainer who gave me some tips on introducing the dog to the bird and vice versa. So far it's been working better!

I visited Kiwi every day while she was at the store and she'd always want cuddles. Yesterday she cuddled with me for an hour straight, she missed it so much. What a little baby! Then after that the dog got an hour of cuddling as well while we watched T.v. - while Kiwi played in her cage. We are slowly working things out!

I'll be posting pictures in the intro section soon. Thank you again for your advice

 

[JerseyWendy]

KUDOS to you BIG TIME for making every efforts to making this work!!

It truly sounds like you fell VERY much in love with your Kiwi, and I'm SO glad he's back with you now.

I'm confident that in time your pup will be JUST fine.

 

[MikeyTN]

That's great news!!!! I'm very glad to hear you got Kiwi back!

 

[aliray]

Congrats on getting Kiwi back. Just give it time and consulting with a dog trainer sounds like it was a good idea

 

[davisn456]

That's awesome that you're making things work. Pets truly do pick us sometimes, and when that happens, it's one of those opportunities that we really shouldn't pass up.

 

[SoCalWendy]

That's so great! Your dog will get used to your new baby. My min. schnauzer was very resentful and scared at first, now she will ignore Rio completely but most of the time I find her lying under Rio's cage. LOL

 

[kiwiS]

Aw Thanks guys, you are all so sweet and supportive!

I noticed I mentioned Kiwi was a he in the first post and then switched to a she in my next. Well, truth is I don't know if he's a she or she's a he. Right now I'm just saying she's a she

We're taking her to the vet for a wellness check up this friday, so we might do a DNA sexing if it's not too pricey!

Thanks again for all the kind words!!