Sad news...

[Frumpydumple]

The people I got Nova from wanted him back. I kept telling them how tame he has gotten and they couldn't believe it. They came over to see how he was doing, and then when he stepped up for them they realized how much they missed him and wanted him back.

They wanted him back so badly that I felt really bad keeping him.
He has made so much progress. He steps up on perches and hands now, he has picked up a few words, he likes head scratches, he is converted to pellets, he started molting and his ring is getting darker.
I hadn't had him long, but I really liked him. He was doing so well.

I never expected them to want him back.
I wish I hadn't told them how well he was doing. They never would've wanted him back if I hadn't told them how tame he was. I told them about feeding him a good varied diet and they were surprised. They thought birds only needed a seed diet with fruit as a treat.

So...he is gone now. He went back to his old home yesterday. Hopefully he will be fine there...

 

[SilverSage]

I am sorry to hear you have lost your friend perhaps they will be as open with you as you were with them about how he is doing, and maybe you will be able to give guidance and help them learn.

 

[MrsKay]

Oh no, how sad. I don't understand how they could do that unless it was agreed in advance that they wanted it back. Hopefully it has a good home.

 

[JessieRosie]

Oh no!!! that's such a disappointment after you put in all the hard work to get him to that point.

Will you continue to see him ?

 

[Frumpydumple]

Oh no!!! that's such a disappointment after you put in all the hard work to get him to that point.

Will you continue to see him ?

I don't know. I don't think I will. It would be too sad.

 

[JessieRosie]

I'm so sorry

Well, on the positive side, you've helped them to realise his potential and it has made his life with them so much better than it would have been without you!

 

[4dugnlee]

Awww...that's not right. They could have worked with Nova and got him to that point if they had put the time in with him. It sounds like you did all the work and they reaped the benefits.

You are a better person that I. I would hope that if they decide not to keep him again, you would be the first one in line to get him back.

 

[Birdman666]

Well, ONE, he is that way because YOU worked with him.

TWO, there is no guarantee he will stay that way with them, because YOU were the one who worked with him.

THREE, sorry, but I would have said NO WAY. He is this way now, because I did the work, and he responded to me, and he responded to the quality of life I provided. The reason he didn't respond that way to you is that YOU DID NOT provide the quality of life that he needed... THEREFORE, HE IS BETTER OFF WITH ME, BUT YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT ANY TIME YOU WANT.

I have given birds back on two occasions. Both were Foster situations, where the bird was placed with me, simply because the person who had him had a temporarily unstable home situation.

I have also on occasion, had people ask me to take their birds, retrain them (for free) and then give them back... the answer to that one was NO!

 

[RavensGryf]

Aw Emily, I'm sorry. I agree that it's not right. UNLESS there was an agreement at the time you got him that they can have him back, then technically if someone gives their bird away, there is the 'understanding' that it is out of their hands now and out of their control.

I understand you did it out of the goodness of your heart, and maybe it just wasn't meant to be that you keep him... I agree with Birdman. He probably won't react with them the way he did with you, and revert back. I know it's hard to think about, but just occupy your mind with your current babies, and as you love them, realize how lucky THEY are

 

[Birdman666]

And I would keep in touch, because if he does revert back, they may change their mind again. And I would have some sort of a "first dibs" arrangement if and when that happens.

But I would not have been guilted into giving him back.

He bit the crap outta you, remember?!

 

[Terry57]

Emily, I am so sorry to hear this I agree that the reason he has come so far is because of your love for him and hard work, and i would also keep in touch because I bet he will revert back and they will once again offer him to you.

 

[Frumpydumple]

Thanks everyone. I gave him back because he seemed to get on great with his old owners and they agreed to try to make things work with him this time and if it didn't work they would give him back to me.

 

[Birdman666]

Thanks everyone. I gave him back because he seemed to get on great with his old owners and they agreed to try to make things work with him this time and if it didn't work they would give him back to me.

Well, then that is for the best. If he's meant to be with you, he will be back. If not, then you probably have enhanced his life...

SO EITHER WAY YOU DID GOOD! BE PROUD OF YOURSELF!!!

 

[Allee]

Emily I just read this and I am sorry. I hope it works out, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if this bird comes back to you. Either way you did a great thing for the bird and his owners and you should feel good about that.

 

[FluffyYellowBird]

You did a very unselfish thing giving the bird back after all of your hard work. I am sure Nova's owners will take better care of him with all of your help and advice.

I am very proud of you

 

[miloslave]

Please do check up on him, it seems to me that they did not give him the attention he needed in the first place. His new tameness might just be a novelty to them now, if the novelty wears off he once again might not get the attention he needs. Then at least you are there to step in?

 

[TessieB]

That stinks! I've been in the same situation and simply told the person NO. They gave me an 'evil' bird and wanted nothing to do with it. Of course, with my excellent people skills, the person became so angry, she called the police and said I stole her bird! I was lucky though in that the cop was an animal owner. He solved the problem very quickly.

"Stick your hand in the cage and see what the bird does," he told her.

She refused. The cop looked at me. "Well?"

I opened the door and Diamond willingingly jumped on my finger. A put her on my shoulder where she immediately began grooming me. Diamond was a normal grey cockatiel. Not worth much money by any means but the cop knew the bird meant a lot to me.

Diamond remained with me for 15 years. I never spoke to her previous owner again.


Anyway, I commend you for giving the bird back. You have a very generous nature. Hopefully the family will see the bird really belongs to you.


Me? I wouldn't be so generous. At the very least I would have charged them a 'training fee'.

 

[Blancaej]

If it were me, I would have said no, too. But you did what your heart told you to. If I were in your shoes, maybe I would have done the same thing. Either way, something good will come of this and that is 1. You've opened up the original owners eyes on the benefits of having a properly cared for bird or 2. You will get him back if they don't do right by him. Because he'll revert back to his old behavior if they don't! Be proud of what you accomplished with him!