Nervous, but Excited!

[jaimmorr]

I bring Ricco (G2) home in 18 days! Of course I'm counting down the days. Wanna know down to the hour, minute, second?! LOL

I just wanted to rant on here because I'm SO nervous. I get all excited thinking about bringing him home and then I really psyche myself out by thinking of all the things that could go wrong!

He could have multiple health problems
He could hate me!
He could become aggressive after bringing him home
He could go into a state of depression
He could take negatively to the switched diet and not eat
He could hate all his toys and his new cage and everything I try to give him
Etc, etc, etc.

Did you go through this before getting your bird? Especially if it was a rescue/rehome?

On the other hand, I am VERY excited about bringing him home. But I just really want everything to go alright/smoothly.

Is it true that you get out of a bird what you put into it? I plan on trick training, having the bird out with me and hanging out, etc. I'm also seriously contemplating flight training, but I haven't decided on that for sure yet. Anyway, if I do "everything" right, am I going to have a strong bond with Ricco? I know I'm probably stressing over this way too much, but it's the reason I wanted a bird in the first place. To have a special bond with him, to be able to work with him and make him a confident and happy bird, to be able to hang out with him and train him, etc. If I can't do all these things, I'm afraid neither of us will be happy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting second thoughts about Ricco. I just need some reassurance that everything is going to go FINE!

I have a tendency to overthink and overstress EVERYTHING. (I have an anxiety disorder, in case I haven't mentioned that before.)

 

[Mare Miller]

I love you so much jaimmorr, you are special! What ever you do...don't fret, don't worry about everything that could go wrong, take it as it comes. You will do fine with your new baby, just don't let him know that you are worried. They depend on you for guidance. You can depend on us to help guide you.

 

[jaimmorr]

Aww, thank you, Mare Miller! I love you too!

I will try! Thanks, I just love the support and everyone on this forum. You all are so great. I swear one day when I have a little extra funds, I'm going to send everyone that has been so helpful to me a little something. Like maybe something off of MSBS! I think that would be a great idea.

Anyway, I talked to my mom about this and she said "Oh, honey, you'll be fine. Just take it slow and remember to give him time to trust you. When I first got Cortez (her rescued Pug), he didn't trust me at all. He was nice to me, but he spent all his time in the back bedroom by himself. Every time I would go back there to do laundry or clean or go to the bathroom, I'd stop in there and just pet him and talk to him softly. After about a week of doing this, he came out to the family room and sat on the couch with me. Now he absolutely loves me, follows me everywhere, lays on my lap, and lets me do anything to him. Just give Ricco space and time and allow him to come around to you. You guys will build trust with eachother as time goes." I really valued her input and even though Cortez (dog) is much different from Ricco (bird), I feel that it was good advice and some that I will follow.

Do you guys read to your birds? I think when I first get him I will sit in bed and read aloud to him for awhile so that he gets used to me, my presence, and my voice. I really cannot wait to get my baby Ricco home. I'm so excited it's not even funny! I find myself rereading all the information and books over and over again, which I guess is a good thing!

 

[KatherineI]

Breathe, my dear

 

[luvmytooo]

Breathing is a good thing , try it sometime , lolol
I should talk , but still....breathe !!!!

Look sweetie , there are things that can go wrong....but theres things you can do to fix them or at least work with them. No bird is going to give you exactly what you put into them , just because they are indifiduals.
One of my friends got a TAG years ago and did everything right with him . She wanted him to talk and have a great vocabulary. She bought all kinds of training tapes to help teach a bird to talk.Spent every minute she could with him , socialized him , etc.. Well , this bird hasn't muttered a word , and its been 6 years ! She put a lot of time and effort into it , but who's to say he won't talk now or 10 years later...but its strictly up to the bird.

This bird can love you at first then later , take to your partner and not like you at all....we can never predict this.
What you have is what you see now. Some birds change as they get older and some don't. So , never mind with the what ifs...the only question now is are you willing to work with any of those possible scenarios if they do arise ? If your answer is yes , then there should be nothing stopping you sweetie.
Good luck and I'm positive your going to be a fabulous parront

 

[Mozzie]

I think your mom gave you excellent advice (mom's usually do). It will take some time and patience but in the end you will have a wonderful friend! It will all work out I am sure! So no more worrying.

 

[lene1949]

Don't think about the things that can go wrong.... think about the things that can go RIGHT! Parrots love a positive attitude, they love confidence and they love respect...

You have to BELIEVE it'll be a smooth transition, as any doubts will be too visible to the bird...

So, yes... Breathe and relax...

 

[jaimmorr]

Hehehe thanks, everyone.

*Breathes in, out* LOL hey, that helps!

You guys are right. I will be honest, there is one thing that I am nervous about. Him taking to my partner instead of me. If it happens, it happens. But I just don't want it to. Since I'm going to be the one training him, cleaning his cage out, giving him baths, feeding him, preparing his meals, etc. I just don't want to do all the work and get nothing in return. But if he ends up liking her more, then so be it. I'll still love him, obviously. If I'm the one that spends the majority of time with him, though, what are the odds that he'll like her better? :/

 

[luvmytooo]

The odds are great . We had a Amazon when I was young and I did everything but breast feed this bird , and , in the end , he took to my Mom. She was the love of his life , the apple of his eye. There is nothing you can do about it. But he tolerated me and had us hysterical everyday , so that was my reward , the great laughs and companionship .
So what he wasnt that snugly , cuddly bird . I wouldn't have traded the relationship we had for anything.

 

[jaimmorr]

I see what you mean. I guess I can only take it in stride, but if he does end up liking her better, awell. At least I know he's a happy boy

 

[KatherineI]

The odds are great . We had a Amazon when I was young and I did everything but breast feed this bird , and , in the end , he took to my Mom. She was the love of his life , the apple of his eye. There is nothing you can do about it. But he tolerated me and had us hysterical everyday , so that was my reward , the great laughs and companionship .
So what he wasnt that snugly , cuddly bird . I wouldn't have traded the relationship we had for anything.

Oh my god I'm in stitches "all but breast feed" that was me and Azure !! I did everything for that Grey and she only tolerated me. Even after handfeeding her, Hubs was the love of her life. Unfortunately for us, she had to be rehomed because he was hardly home and she started getting mean with me I loved her but the situation just wasn't working. It happens.

Jaimmorr, take it in stride. Cross each bridge when you reach it. Don't worry about what negatives could happen.

 

[luvmytooo]

I see what you mean. I guess I can only take it in stride, but if he does end up liking her better, awell. At least I know he's a happy boy

Now your talking
It'll work out honey , stop worrying so much and enjoy the moment
Your getting a great bird and having him in your life will be rewarding regardless. I have learned a lot from Rosie , who is pet only sometimes.
You learn to take a step back and appreciate everything instead of having hands on all the time. The best of both worlds
Maybe one day you will increase your flock . You never know what will be around the corner or dropped in your lap , lol. Birds have a way of finding us , lolol.