How?! The worry.

[HannahandSunny]

Hats off to all you parrot owners and slaves!
I don’t know how you do it?
I worry about my animals, (horses and guinea pigs) so much that my whole day revolves around them! I worry about taking holidays, I worry when I’m on holiday. I worry if I’m out all day, I worry about the weather, I worry if they’re bored, I worry if they’re hungry. I worry what they eat..etc etc!

I would love in the future to rescue a parrot/ budgie. since having Sunny in my care I just can’t imagine it! My anxiety with looking after animals is like double with him I LOVE him so so soooooo much that words can’t explain. He is my best friend. He makes me smile every moment I see him..except if he’s pulled apart my new plant, or pooped in my freshly washed hair. The character and personality in him is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in any animal before. He is beyond amazing.
Now what I am saying is, having a normal domesticated bird must be such a huge commitment (which of course I’m use to with the many animals in my care etc). But with a parrot it’s of course crucial to wrap your life around them. They are far far too intelligent and high needs to be ‘just a pet’ ( which I don’t see any of my animals that way, they’re all part of the family). I cannot imagine having Sunny in my house in a cage, or even free range in a room while I was out. I’d feel guilty until I returned home. I have of course been there with Sunny when I first found him and he was sick. He went from being in a small cage to eventually an outdoor aviary. And during that time I made myself sick with worry about him.
Of course it is different for me as Sunny is ‘wild’.. haha..well half wild. I’m not sure if my worry is more now he’s semi independent or if it was more when he was house bound?

I’m not sure where I was going with this. But basically I love looking through the forum and seeing everyone’s gorgeous birds and I salute you, look up to you all and I’m in awe at how you have a bird in the house that’s part of your famiy and have to mould your day around.
Maybe I’m just crazy

 

[Betrisher]

Hannah, I think you have a heart as big as all outdoors and it holds enough love for every animal that drifts into your life. The thing is, you worry too much. Worry is a destructive emotion and serves absolutely no purpose other than to drag you down and second-guess yourself. You need to work at reducing your worry-level or you'll start getting nasty physical symptoms like anxiety and acid reflux!

The thing is, I notice you're caring for quite a few horses. Do you worry about them as much as you do about Sunny? (I'm guessing 'probably not'). Why not? (I'm guessing 'because you've got a lot of experience with horses and know how to fill most of their needs'. Also, when you *don't* know what to do, you know who to ask to get the best advice.

You've just admitted in your post that you didn't know all that much about keeping a companion bird. So, in fact, all you need is some experience and to know who to ask to get the best advice. Yes? That's where we come in. We're not going anywhere!

No matter how much you worried and believed you didn't know what you were doing, Sunny is alive and well and living his best natural life BECAUSE OF YOU. You did that, along with your self-doubt and lack of knowledge. Clearly, whatever previous experience you've had with other animals has transferred itself to a good basic knowledge of what birds need. You've already worked out that, just like a horse kept exclusively in a stall, birds need a lot of exercise and stimulation. It's not rocket science. You know so much more than you think you do!

So *I* reckon you should go right on ahead and get a bird for a companion and see where it takes you. You might make mistakes. We all have. The world didn't end. We learned. That's what you'll do. The next step is to choose your favoured species and get going!

Budgies are wonderful companion parrots and are every bit as clever as their larger friends. I've seen them trained to do astonishing things by ordinary people like you and me. Their small size makes them a lot easier to keep and to transport. Lovebirds are also fun to keep and come in some gorgeous colours these days. I've found amazing joy from my galah, Dommie, and Miss Rosetta Stone, even though they were/are high-maintenance cockatoos. The bird world is your oyster!

I guess what I'm saying is don't be too hard on yourself and give yourself a lot more credit for a strong knowledge base. You're a perfectly fine bird-lady!

 

[HannahandSunny]

Hannah, I think you have a heart as big as all outdoors and it holds enough love for every animal that drifts into your life. The thing is, you worry too much. Worry is a destructive emotion and serves absolutely no purpose other than to drag you down and second-guess yourself. You need to work at reducing your worry-level or you'll start getting nasty physical symptoms like anxiety and acid reflux!

The thing is, I notice you're caring for quite a few horses. Do you worry about them as much as you do about Sunny? (I'm guessing 'probably not'). Why not? (I'm guessing 'because you've got a lot of experience with horses and know how to fill most of their needs'. Also, when you *don't* know what to do, you know who to ask to get the best advice.

You've just admitted in your post that you didn't know all that much about keeping a companion bird. So, in fact, all you need is some experience and to know who to ask to get the best advice. Yes? That's where we come in. We're not going anywhere!

No matter how much you worried and believed you didn't know what you were doing, Sunny is alive and well and living his best natural life BECAUSE OF YOU. You did that, along with your self-doubt and lack of knowledge. Clearly, whatever previous experience you've had with other animals has transferred itself to a good basic knowledge of what birds need. You've already worked out that, just like a horse kept exclusively in a stall, birds need a lot of exercise and stimulation. It's not rocket science. You know so much more than you think you do!

So *I* reckon you should go right on ahead and get a bird for a companion and see where it takes you. You might make mistakes. We all have. The world didn't end. We learned. That's what you'll do. The next step is to choose your favoured species and get going!

Budgies are wonderful companion parrots and are every bit as clever as their larger friends. I've seen them trained to do astonishing things by ordinary people like you and me. Their small size makes them a lot easier to keep and to transport. Lovebirds are also fun to keep and come in some gorgeous colours these days. I've found amazing joy from my galah, Dommie, and Miss Rosetta Stone, even though they were/are high-maintenance cockatoos. The bird world is your oyster!

I guess what I'm saying is don't be too hard on yourself and give yourself a lot more credit for a strong knowledge base. You're a perfectly fine bird-lady!

Bertrisher, thank you for you kind words and reassurance that I’ve done just fine with Sunnys upbringing.
Oh don’t worry, I already have anxiety and as you can see it’s no wonder! Haha!
You’re right in that I don’t worry about the horses quite as much. But I think maybe that’s also because of they are out in a paddock and don’t need as much stimulation as they are more independent as long as they have grass.

I recon I lost and forgot my reason for my post, I’m still quite unsure where I was going with it lol, but I think I originally was wondering how people hold down full time jobs? If no one else is home all day especially? What about holidays? Parrots are people specific, so how do they cope with a new person while you’re on holiday? How do you deal with their death! With their huge personalities I just can’t imagie the loss.

I’m no where near ready to take on a domesticated bird at the moment as we are in the early stages of getting our permanent residency visas, so need to ensure it’s all going well we are super excited about rescuing a dog from the shelter when the time comes. Then maybe a Bird in a few years (love birds are adorable, I’d love to have a pair one day) .. But let’s be realistic.. I don’t think Sunny will be flying away any time soon!! He loves my company as much as I try to ‘push’ him away to the wild he is always so sweet. And I have decided to try not to get so stressed about his future. If he doesn’t pair off with a mate, or hangs around with me more than he should. Then so be it, he’s happy, I’m happy. If he eventually has to be more domestic to keep him safe then that’s okay too. So I may not realise it, but the truth is I will always have a Parrot

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Hannah..for not knowing much about the care and well-being of a parrot,you have done a fantastic job already. You literally saved the life of one VERY needy parrot and he is paying you back the only way he knows how,by being uber lovey to you! He has everything a birdie could ask for. He comes and goes as he pleases...you are there 90% of the time to give him comfort and play. He eats well..looks super healthy and is a typical cockatoo clown
You'd make an excellent companion birdie mama,you already know what/how to do it.

When I was working,I was on the road Monday thru Friday. Of course I worried about Amy and Smokey's well-being while I was gone. I had a friend who lived up the street from me who would come over every other day and spend time with them. my brother would stop by and feed them. There were days when I got home for the night to spend with them. They survived! they didn't start to pluck..they had toys to play with and chew apart..but I still worried about them...that's what parents do with their kids

As far as "holidays" go...what are they???
I haven't been away for any length of time in a lloooooonnnngggg time lol.


Jim

 

[Betrisher]

Always remember that human people, children included, cope with absences and loss. They're a part of life and we all have to cope one way or another. Of course, we always do our best to minimise the bad effects, but, y'know... :22_yikes:

 

[YSGC]

... As far as "holidays" go...what are they???
I haven't been away for any length of time in a lloooooonnnngggg time lol.


Jim

+1
I haven't been on a vacation in over 20 years.
I think never being abandoned by the flock is very very good for Pico.

 

[Scott]

You are my hero, Hannah! The work you have done on Sunny's behalf and resisting the temptation to pluck him from the wild is astounding! I have no doubt you will be a superb parront once you are in the position to have a full-time companion parrot!!


For those unaware of Hannah and Sunny: http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/79240-sunny-update-more-photo-spam.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...alia-sunny-my-rescue-long-billed-corella.html

 

[HannahandSunny]

You are my hero, Hannah! The work you have done on Sunny's behalf and resisting the temptation to pluck him from the wild is astounding! I have no doubt you will be a superb parront once you are in the position to have a full-time companion parrot!!


For those unaware of Hannah and Sunny: http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/79240-sunny-update-more-photo-spam.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...alia-sunny-my-rescue-long-billed-corella.html

Thank you Scott, and everyone reminding me that I’ve done okay with Sunny.

I let him in the house the other day after finally giving him to his constant tapping on the window to be let in. It was the first time in a long time I’ve let him in. Was a funny disaster .. he waddled over to his seed tub, proceeded to pull it over with his beak to see if he could open it. Which of course meant it fell on his toes to then of course he is squawking like he’s been killed. I watched for about 2 seconds before realising he was indeed trapped . Rescued him, knew he wouldn’t be hurt as it’s only a small half full tub. He sat on my hand feeling sorry for himself. We was standing right next to the front door when He then took off and flew into the door luckily as we was so close to it he just embarrassed himself. In the space of 2 minutes coming indoors he got himself in a right pickle!
Had to laugh, put him outside on ‘his’ table and gave him bowl of much needed seed. he’s much safer outside!!

 

[Scott]

Wonder if this incident will make him less likely to be invited inside. Somehow I don't think so lol.

 

[HannahandSunny]

Wonder if this incident will make him less likely to be invited inside. Somehow I don't think so lol.

No, he has since been at the Door waiting for an invite in !:18:

 

[Scott]

Of course, he knows you'll take great care of him!!