Travelling...I'm sure gonna miss them

[Aussie Ben]

So… I’m off to discover the USA for a few weeks (yay) but of course this means I gotta leave the fids behind (). Luckily there will still be people here to feed/water them and such, but they sure won’t get the same level of interaction.

I have spent the last few days packing a few hundred freezer bags of fruit, veg and dry food to make it easier for the birdy-sitter. Its only for a few weeks but when you consider morning, evening, fruit/veg and dry food…..then double it for two fids…..that’s a whole load of freezer bags LOL. Its been a bit of a fruit&veg-a-thon hehe. I am also putting together a long document of instructions for feeding, entertainment, vet numbers, possible issues, emergency treatment etc etc. While writing all this I quickly realised how well I know my birds and how much effort I put into them. I know all their little characteristics and habits, many of which are just subconscious and are hard to explain to bird-sitters (you all know what I mean)

I am so worried about leaving them. Buddy has just started a moult and feeling very down, so I won’t be here to help her through that. And Eddie has been very stressed and loud the last few days, even late at night so I am also worried about him.

Do you guys have any advice for other things I should be doing for them/leave for them while I’m away? The most I have left them for before is probably 10 days. It’s gonna feel very weird not having bird alarm clocks going off in the morning. Can’t imagine what I will do with the time hehe.

 

[Von1983]

awww Ben! What an exciting adventure for you!

I understand about your fids though and you've done a wonderful job in preperation for them.

I think the only thing you could do is perhaps record a cd of your voice that perhaps someone will play in the house daily while you're away. Even if it's just when they are preparing feeding times. That will soothe them. I'm guessing Eddie and Buddy are aware something is afoot and they are making it known! So clever.....

As for the birdie alarm, I must share with you this!

When I was a teen, my mum would forever shout through the wall Yvvooooonnnnnne! Time to get up!

I went to Germany aged 15 for a fortnight on a school exchange and they started school at 7am while we started at 8.45am so it was a BIG jolt for me! I took a little alarm with me and one morning I was so tired I snoozed it. All of a sudden I heard my mum shout Yvvvoooooonnnneeee! Time to get up!

Quite impressive from Scotland to Germany!

I'm pretty sure you'll still "hear" the birdy alarm while you're away hehe!

 

[Spiritbird]

I was going to suggest your voice recorded also. People here get very excited to visit your country. Where is the USA are you going to visit if you do not mind me asking? You can stop in and meet Rosie.

 

[HRH Di]

This really is exciting, but I understand your aprehensions. I'm sure Eddie and Buddy know something's up. You're a great parront and they'll be in good hands while you're gone.

SB, I was going to ask the same thing.

 

[Crazy4Birds]

I know how you feel. When I am in college I have to leave my fids at home and I miss them so much! They definitely know that something is up. I just got back from winter break and the night before I left Nicky was extra cuddly! It was like he knew that we wouldn't be able to cuddle for a very long time. What I do sometimes is when I call home my mom puts the phone next to them so I can talk to them. She says they perk right up!

Where in the USA are you going? Maybe I can tell you some good places to go depending on where you are.

 

[Aussie Ben]

Thanks all

The thought of a voice recording or phone call did cross my mind, particularly of me whistling seeing as that is how we generally communicate with each other. When I am home he whistles to me to check I am there.

Yes, very excited to be going across the pond to the USA. I will be visiting such places as Orland (20 guesses to why we are going there hehe), Las Vegas , LA, Seattle and New York. We have been stocking up on our winter clothing seeing as it’s so cold over there atm, especially in NY. Its going to be very weird going from the 40*C+ weather that we are used to…….to well… freaking darn cold lol. Coldest winter night we ever get here is probably warmer than the warmest NY winter day! I hope it snows while we are there too as I have never seen snow fall (I am sure some of the locals in NY want the snow to bugger off though, seeing as they have had so much). I saw snow (only on the ground) as a small kid in the one place it sometimes snows here, but it was a pretty poor excuse for snow .

 

[Aussie Ben]

I'm pretty sure you'll still "hear" the birdy alarm while you're away hehe!

I pretty sure I will lol. Its funny actually, on a similar note, every time I hear someone whistle, my automatic response is to whistle back, even when out of the house. I have had some very confused looks from people who were just enjoying a good old whistle, only to be interrupted my some freak whistling back at them lol...its just automatic. I can always hear them in the back of my head.

 

[Von1983]

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Oh dear....

I can totally imagine that it's a hard habit to break!

The things we do....

I have been known to say to small children in the shop who get too near Cal "uh uh uh uh...noooo".

Confused child and confused Cal, frankly! *blushes*

 

[Aussie Ben]

yes the things we do for our fids lol

Like finally finishing packing nearly a months worth of food for two birds. I have never seen so many Veggies!!!!

I've put the radio on a timer so it comes on in the morning and switches off in the evening.

Gonna try and get to the bird shop to pick out some new toys for them to play with while I'm away.

I'll have my iphone with me while I am away to, so hopefully be able to keep in touch with you all here on the forum. If only Eddie and Buddy had their own accounts....and could type.

 

[Ozzy]

I'm sure we all know how hard it is to leave our fids. I stress and stress when I leave Ozzy and it always ends up that I am stressing over nothing as he is fine when I return. It is great you can at least have someone watch them in your house so they have that comfort. (Ozzy goes to a boarders)

Anyways, I hope the weather stays great here in Orlando for you! Its been in the high 60's to low 70's for the past couple weeks which is PERFECT Disney/Sea World/Universal weather!

Have a safe trip

 

[Aussie Ben]

oooo! good weather would be awesome. We are visiting Disney world and Universal, I mean....you gotta lol.

Getting a little worried now. I just went through the instructions with the bird-sitter (who happens to be my brother) on care, feeding etc and his eyes almost popped out of his head. He could not believe what was involved lol. I have made it as simple as I can, He grabs the bowls in the morning, throws a bag of F&V in one, some Pellets/seed/nut mix in the other, change the water and he's done. Then he just repeats this at night. The thing that threw him out I think was managing the general care stuff like what to do in an emergency, vet numbers, medication, how to handle the birds etc. He's a little stressed out by it (now so am I) but he has agreed to do his best to keep them happy and healthy. I bought some new toys today and made up lots of scrunched up paper treats/nut treats etc to try and replace some of ME while I'm gone. Its only for 3 1/2 weeks, but I'd hate for him to get stressed out and start feather plucking. Buddy's not so much a worry, she's quite hardy in these sorts of situations and has coped without me for long periods before, I always get a warm welcome home though lol.

I should have contact with my brother most days through email and occasional phone so I can be kept up to date and help with any issues.

 

[Von1983]

ahhhh Ben! You worry too much! You've done all you can and no doubt you will think of other things before you leave!! You have covered all bases! I know how you must feel and I'd be exactly the same, I won't pretend I wouldn't be, but Eddie will be fine! Sure, you'll probably have a grump on your hands on return lol, but it'll be ok. In fact, I'd put money on Eddie and your brother bonding nicely while they have this one on one time. I'm sure he'd never ADMIT it, but I bet he'll fall a bit in love.

My stepdad used to refer to my beloved budgie Buster as "that bloody canary". Then one morning my mum came downstairs early to hear him talking away to him HA! She never let on and the charade continued until my boy passed away.

You realise as well that by sharing your thoughts and feelings you are encouraging us all to think of what we'd do in situations like this? I tell you, I am thinking more and more I need to start involving Dave more with the day to day care of ALL of my bunch. Sooner or later I'm going to have to go to Scotland for a few days alone.....

I know you'll have a fab time on holiday and I'm sure your brother will be more than happy to email you pics of Eddie while you are away to set your mind at ease!

 

[Aussie Ben]

Von, I'm not kidding when I say that post lowered my heart rate to a more normal level.

I know, I get paranoid about my fids, but then again, they do depend on me for everything, so its a little scary when that entity is removed.

I'm just looking forward to that 14 hr plane trip lol, I reckon I'll sleep the whole way, its been a mad rush the last few days. Big holidays don't come around that often so you never get used to preparing for them and it throws all normal routine out the window, not just for the fids but for everything. We have been planning this one for many years so its all very exciting.

 

[Von1983]

Goood! You should be looking forward to this! It's such a BIG exciting thing!

It'll be over before you know it too, so you must enjoy every second! I can't wait to see the USA but it'll be a long while for me!

Once you've been back a week at home Eddie and Buddy will have forgotten all about it anyway!

You won't though and I personally can't wait for some pictures!

 

[Aussie Ben]

You won't though and I personally can't wait for some pictures!

HAHA oh there will be plenty, just keep nagging me to post em so I don't forget

 

[Von1983]

Consider it done!

I'll be gratious and wait until you get back before I start banging on! HA!

 

[Crazy4Birds]

Are you planning on seeing any Broadway shows in New York? If so, there are TKTS booths that sell tickets the day of for up to 50% off. I went to see a show with my boyfriend last winter and it was great! The line was kind of long but worth it. They suggest that you have three choices in mind in case one gets sold out while you are in line. They also have people that inform you about the different shows while you are waiting in line. Just be aware that they sell out very quickly on the popular shows such as Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, etc. There are three booths in New York but we went to the one in the middle of Times Square. You can't miss it! Here is a site for more info. TKTS Discount Booths

 

[Aussie Ben]

New York is awesome! But geez it's freekin' cold lol. I have never felt temps like it in my entire life coming from where I live.

C4B, we were told about tkts and did infact make use of it , we just went and saw merry poppins, it was amazing. I saw the lion king and phantom when they where in oz, lion king is one of my favourites

Totally missing my fids lol but having a ball over here in this great country

 

[Von1983]

Glad you're having a wonderful time!