How do your family/friends feel about your birds?

[OrnithAudrey]

I'm guessing this is something a lot of you can relate to. Most of my husband's friends and family think we're crazy animal people (big surprise, I KNOW I am ) We met up for dinner with one of his friends and he was joking around with me and said, "So seriously, when are you gonna let Nick get rid of the bird that bit him? (referring to Clover) You don't know how lucky you are he's such a nice guy. I woulda flung that bird in the wall if it bit me!" Umm...yeah. That's why I'm married to him, not you. Funny thing is, Nick is the one that got Clover and he wouldn't give her up for anything.

I'm fortunate in that my family is pretty understanding, probably because my mom is known as the crazy chicken lady and has 50+ pet chickens, so she gets it and everybody else knows better than to give us any crap about the love we have for the animals in our lives.

My husband's side...not so much. His friends always have something negative to say and my MIL has even gone so far as saying we could save a lot of money if we got rid of them (that conversation didn't end pretty...)

So what do the people in your lives think about your birds (and other pets)? Do you come from a group of crazy animal people? Or are you the oddball? Have you been told anything ridiculous by family/friends? Feel free to rant, knowing at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is being a happy parront to happy fid(s)

 

[chris-md]

I swear, the ignorance of some people *palm/face*

I struck gold with Parker. He goes to anyone, and showboats a little for strangers. So he charms almost everyone he meets. Eddie, my partner, went from hating the idea of getting a bird and saying "don't ask me to help with him" to being thoroughly amused by his antics and feeding him in about a month.

Don't even get me started on my mom. Life long bird HATER and fearer, Couldn't stand my budgies and very annoying conure when I was younger...after meeting Parker for the first time, demanded I buy a cage to keep at her place so she can birdsit when we go away. Loves holding him.

 

[2greenconurestostart]

I'm guessing this is something a lot of you can relate to. Most of my husband's friends and family think we're crazy animal people (big surprise, I KNOW I am ) We met up for dinner with one of his friends and he was joking around with me and said, "So seriously, when are you gonna let Nick get rid of the bird that bit him? (referring to Clover) You don't know how lucky you are he's such a nice guy. I woulda flung that bird in the wall if it bit me!" Umm...yeah. That's why I'm married to him, not you. Funny thing is, Nick is the one that got Clover and he wouldn't give her up for anything.

I'm fortunate in that my family is pretty understanding, probably because my mom is known as the crazy chicken lady and has 50+ pet chickens, so she gets it and everybody else knows better than to give us any crap about the love we have for the animals in our lives.

My husband's side...not so much. His friends always have something negative to say and my MIL has even gone so far as saying we could save a lot of money if we got rid of them (that conversation didn't end pretty...)

So what do the people in your lives think about your birds (and other pets)? Do you come from a group of crazy animal people? Or are you the oddball? Have you been told anything ridiculous by family/friends? Feel free to rant, knowing at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is being a happy parront to happy fid(s)

My parents don't say much but look at me sideways and my husbands parents we just don't tell when we get new animals (they live out of state) unless we they come to see us which will be less now that we moved farther way. we have 4 dogs and 4 birds. I tend to love animals more than people (no offense to anyone here lol) . I know people think we waste our money and i would be rich if I had a dime for every time I heard people say that they would put their animal down than send money for better food or medical procedures. I just don't defend my stance, I just do it. I personally LOVE your flock. I feel your pain. I don't spend excessive money on clothes, shoes etc. Not a shopper, not that I begrudge others if thats what they like....ugh I am rambling. I hope my point is clear. I agree with you!!!!

 

[kq_fan]

I am still at home and Lilo does not like anyone but me! But my family is so kind to let me have alllll the pets I have! If they weren't so nice, we would only have two dogs and maybe a cat. But they let me have two dogs, two cats, six quail, two parrots, 2 fish, and a bunny! So my parents live around them but they enjoy the zoo. Lilo still likes to bite but she is about the only one who is bad.

 

[Birdman666]

Don't even get me started... especially around here. This is one of those "hunting is my way of life" towns...

(Around here "normal" guys shoot birds with a shotgun just to watch their feathers explode... cuz apparently that's "fun." I'm definitely NOT "NORMAL.")

Having six of them, loose in your house?! "So, you're like, the cat lady, only with birds?!" [It's twice as insulting when you're a guy!]

Yeah.

I get ripped on a lot. It gets old. I generally just ignore it.

Any time the big bad hunter dudes get too much on my case, I invite them to come up to 15,000 feet with me so I can show them what "fun" really is, just to watch all the blood drain from their face.

So far, none of them have taken me up on it. In fact, it pretty much ends the "macho B.S." conversation on the spot.

My family are animal people, going way back... so no worries from them. We've always had animals of one sort or another.

For the most part, they love them.

 

[SailBoat]

Never ran into that issue much. Commonly, they hide in fear that the big, bad DYH Amazon may fly at and bit them! Helps to have a few well chewed 2 x 4's sitting around to support the fear.

Since I have been a much better shot and at distance. They more fear pissing me off. Also, individuals that are that ignorant have learned that they are just not that welcomed. Its good to set that in place early, this way they know better than to show-up, let alone ask for money.

Really ignorant people are just not worth the time. Behind the oversize month, rarely is they much more. Can anyone say boring! Call them on their stupidly and watch them change the subject.

Love the 15000 ft dare! Was in a Avanti Piaggio P-180 II a couple of weeks ago and the guy at the stick really knew his craft! WOW! To much fun to waste on ignorant people!

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah. Exactly. To each his own, just don't shoot at any of mine. Have a nice life - SOMEWHERE ELSE - AWAY FROM ME.

I really have no patience for any of that macho BS anymore...

If you're over 40 and still act like you did in the high school locker room when you were 15, well... Sorry, but I find that a bit pathetic.

And "dude" if "the neighborhood cat lady" finds your behavior pathetic... it's time to admit that you just may have a problem...

 

[Birdman666]

Avanti Piaggio P-180 II, sadly only seen pictures, and read reviews. Never seen or flown in one...

Closest thing I've ever been around was a Beechcraft Starship...

Nice looking thing, and fast, from what I understand.

 

[OrnithAudrey]

I swear, the ignorance of some people *palm/face*

I struck gold with Parker. He goes to anyone, and showboats a little for strangers. So he charms almost everyone he meets. Eddie, my partner, went from hating the idea of getting a bird and saying "don't ask me to help with him" to being thoroughly amused by his antics and feeding him in about a month.

Don't even get me started on my mom. Life long bird HATER and fearer, Couldn't stand my budgies and very annoying conure when I was younger...after meeting Parker for the first time, demanded I buy a cage to keep at her place so she can birdsit when we go away. Loves holding him.

HA! That sounds like my husband. He tells me all the time if it wasn't for me, he never would have had any pets, but now he can't imagine life without them. He gets mad when THEY don't give HIM enough attention!

 

[Birdman666]

When we lived in Venezuela my parents had five amazons and two macaws.

That's where I get it from...

 

[Birdman666]

I swear, the ignorance of some people *palm/face*

I struck gold with Parker. He goes to anyone, and showboats a little for strangers. So he charms almost everyone he meets. Eddie, my partner, went from hating the idea of getting a bird and saying "don't ask me to help with him" to being thoroughly amused by his antics and feeding him in about a month.

Don't even get me started on my mom. Life long bird HATER and fearer, Couldn't stand my budgies and very annoying conure when I was younger...after meeting Parker for the first time, demanded I buy a cage to keep at her place so she can birdsit when we go away. Loves holding him.

HA! That sounds like my husband. He tells me all the time if it wasn't for me, he never would have had any pets, but now he can't imagine life without them. He gets mad when THEY don't give HIM enough attention!

That's the thing, UNTIL you interact with them... They bite, they scream, they poop, they chew on things, they make a mess... WHY ON EARTH WOULD ANYONE WANT ONE OF "THOSE THINGS?"

THEN WHEN I TAKE MINE OUT, I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY REMIND PEOPLE "THEY DO NOT COME LIKE THIS!" CUZ YOU GET THE "OH, NOW I WANT ONE/HOW MUCH ARE THEY?" ROUTINE...

 

[OrnithAudrey]

I whole heartedly agree that men get it worse when it comes to this, especially down here. It's normal for women to be soft and emotional, whereas men are supposed to be tough and not get emotionally attached to animals. It's their time? They bite you? They don't do what you want? Take them out back and take care of it Ol' Yeller style! Seems to be the recurring philosophy...

When it was just me, it was easy for me to ignore, but now it's always Nick that gets the crap, so it's hard for me to keep my big mouth shut Especially with his co-workers who insist he's either whipped or a wuss to "allow" that many animals in HIS house. HA!

 

[Birdman666]

I whole heartedly agree that men get it worse when it comes to this, especially down here. It's normal for women to be soft and emotional, whereas men are supposed to be tough and not get emotionally attached to animals. It's their time? They bite you? They don't do what you want? Take them out back and take care of it Ol' Yeller style! Seems to be the recurring philosophy...

When it was just me, it was easy for me to ignore, but now it's always Nick that gets the crap, so it's hard for me to keep my big mouth shut Especially with his co-workers who insist he's either whipped or a wuss to "allow" that many animals in HIS house. HA!

There seems to be ONE PARTICULAR SEGMENT OF TEXAS society that is very much this way. And anything outside their definition of "what normal is supposed to look like/how people are supposed to be" gets ridiculed... Problem being that it's also a fairly large AND PARTICULARLY VOCAL segment...

It's like being in a "WE ALL BUNDLE!" commercial.

But you're not going to change their minds. Arguing only gives them more ammunition. Take the high road. "You obviously just don't get it. We can agree to disagree. If you don't want one, don't get one. We did."

As for the macho dude who couldn't handle a little pin prick?! IF YOU WANT TO PISS HIM OFF... [in baby talk] "AWWWWW... Did duh mean wid-dow birdie give you a boo-boo? Do you want me to call your mommy and see if she'll kiss it and make it feel better for you?!" Really?! Yeah. Macho man. Beat the crap out of a little bird over a little pin prick. BIG MAN!

Yeah, I can be quite ruthless myself, when the need arises.

"Hubby's man card isn't the one in question here. He's not the one crying over an itty bitty pin prick. And you think HE'S THE WUSS?! YOU on the other hand... DIDN'T EVEN GET BIT, AND YOU'RE WHINING ABOUT IT AS IF YOU DID! Here's how this works: You don't want to get bit? Keep your fingers away from the pointy end of my bird. Then, you've got nothing to worry about. Which means that you can stop whining about it any time now. If you choose to get your fingers close to the pointy end of my bird, and you get bit, it's your own damned fault. So you have no cause to whine about it if it happens. It's not the bird's fault either. Dumba$$! So, if it happens try and take it like a man, and don't take it out on the bird. Go put a band-aide on your little boo-boo. For god's sake be a man about it. Quit whining like a little B!tch!"

Yeah. He'll live that one down, like, maybe never, if it happens in front of his buddies...

In fact, he may not get his "MAN CARD" back, in their eyes, unless HE LETS a bird bite him, and doesn't flinch, or complain about it.

THESE PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES EXACTLY THAT STUPID!

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

I have mixed reactions from family and friends. Overall, none of them really get what my birds mean to me. They cannot fathom nor comprehend what it means to have a bird change your world. It's odd and peculiar to them. Thankfully my birds are well behaved, so when people are over they pretty much fly to me and stay put. Kyleigh like people, but I really only let a select few hold her. Peanut on the other hand is not a people person and would rather stay on me or go into the aviary. All in all, unless you're a bird person..you just wont get it.