I MUST forget this Grey....

[indybirds]

but I haven't been able to yet.

I'm an innocent victim here. I just went to the store to buy some dog food and a crate. I did not know they had anything in there besides some finches, budgies, and other small birds. But there it was. Sitting in a cage that was just a wee bit too small for it (IMHO) a really lovely Grey.

At first, it was apprehensive. I walked up to the cage and it sat on the perch and looked at me. I said "hey there" and it just stared. "Ok" I thought. I will just leave it alone. Then I started paying attention to the other birds in the room. The grey watched me with a more curious eye. It climbed off its perch and went to the front of its cage.

I walked back over to it and put the back of my hand up to the cage. It stuck its beak out and beaked my hand just a tad, then looked at me. I started talking to it, and it soon had its head down and ready for a scratch. I gave it a good scratching! Then went to turn away, and it stuck its beak through the bars and rested its head on a crossbar, just staring at me. Being a sucker, I came back and scratched a little more. It closed its eyes and just sat there enjoying the scratch.

Then I kept telling it how cute and sweet it was, and it started trying to imitate me. As if it wasn't bad enough that it was being so persistent about its head scratches. I just about stole it from the cage right then and there.

It kept trying to get out of the cage as I was walking away. Shoving its beak through the bars and staring at me. Wow, it took all the willpower I had, not to take it with me. But I know I can't have another pet at this time. It just isn't feasible. But I can't get it out of my head.

How can you tell if a bird has "picked you" ? I hope it didn't pick me - I should've never gone to that part of the store! Bad me! Bad!

[willowbirdy218]

I know how you feel! I fell in love with a baby (already weaned) triton cockatoo about 5 weeks ago. About a week ago I went back to the store and learned that he had found a new home. I would have loved that lil guy, but I knew that i wouldn't have the space, time, or money to keep him happy at this time, so I'm happy he found a new home.

[indybirds]

Yes, I sure do hope that this guy (or gal) finds a great home. He/she is too smart to be stuck with a crappy owner!

[kathleen]

I know the feeling. I just went to the bird store to look and fell in love with an umbrella cockatoo. I was so snuggly and was nibbling my neck. And, not to get too personal but neck hasn't been nibbled in a long time. I just fell in love. It took all my power not to pull out my credit card. But, I knew nothing about birds so I pulled myself away. I was absolutely heartbroken until I found out how loud they could be. I live in an apartment and would have been kicked out for sure. I ended up getting a quaker. My first bird ever. He's real sweet. I know it hurts now but it will pass. Good luck.

[CACPioneer]

It' bites, huh Indy? So far I've had my heart stolen by 2 birds. A CAG that would dance and whistle whenever I walked by the glass bird room (I watched him from afar and he didn't do that for others) even if he hadn't seen me for a few days he'd still remember me. He would always greet me with a "Hi!" and dash over for a head scritch and chirp and pace on his perch whenever I would turn to leave. He was at the Petstore for about 2 months and I would visit him at least once a week and spend about 30-45 minutes playing with him and talking to him. I just hope that he got to "choose" his owner (like he chose me) and is living a wonderful life. I still miss him terribly.

Then there was a GCC appropriately named Romeo. He was lovey dovey with anyone. As soon as you walked up to his cage he'd run up to the side to get a good scritch and then would roll over onto his back and just stare up at you for a few minutes. He was such a doll. It was because of that that he was only there for about 2 weeks.

Oy vay...these wretched birds! They know just how to weasle their way into your hearts!!

[indybirds]

What wonderful stories. Good to know I'm not the only one who has suffered like this! I may have to go back and visit sometime. It's dangerous, but I might be able to handle it. <VBG>

[birdsnthings]

Willpower! Just keep asking yourself if you need another bird? It's a hard one though.

[Franciscus]

Originally Posted by indybirds

How can you tell if a bird has "picked you" ? I hope it didn't pick me - I should've never gone to that part of the store! Bad me! Bad!

He picked you. Somethimes the best things come at the worst times. I have not regreted being picked by any of my fids. Heck, just go for it. Perhaps the store owners are willing to work something out financially, allowing payments.

[greyburd]

Indy, it happens to all of us. Like Kathleen, I too fell in love with a U2, that's when I joined BB. Everyone was nice enough to teach what I really needed to know. Just know that there will always be another bird that will pick you. This little grey won't be the last one.

[indybirds]

Originally Posted by Franciscus

He picked you. Somethimes the best things come at the worst times. I have not regreted being picked by any of my fids. Heck, just go for it. Perhaps the store owners are willing to work something out financially, allowing payments.

Oh you are so bad! <VBG> I am probably going back to visit him/her at some point in the near future. I really have to sit back and ask myself if this is something that I have the resources to commit to. This wonderful creature deserves a great home and I wish I could just buy it, if only to foster it for a while and hand-select a perfect home for it. I would be happy if I knew for sure it was going to a very good home. I hate the thought that any idiot can just walk in there and buy this bird... yes I know it happens everyday, but I guess I just got won over by this grey.

I've never had a bird really gravitate to me like that before. Not even Lingo. Really, Lingo did not pick me. I picked him. Some part of me thinks I should've waited until a bird really did pick me. But we get along most days.

I'm going to try to console myself with the thought that perhaps it was just a REALLY friendly Grey and it does that to all of the customers. And therefore, it will find an excellent home and have a happy life.

I really shouldn't be thinking about adding a bird when both of our vehicles are broken... LOL