I made a BIG mistake today ...

[Graehstone]

I made a BIG mistake today.
I went to Our Feathered Friends, my favorite bird store, today and fell in love.
As some of you might know, my dream bird was, is and always will be, a Timneh African Grey. Well, they had one there for sale.
Her name is Gracie and she is between 10 and 12 years old. Her previous owners dropped her off at the store, sold her, just before Christmas because they were moving someplace else and for some reason could not take her with them.
I just needed to buy another cup holder for Cleo’s, our Senegal, cage because she chips the paint off of it and I was worried she might ingest some of the paint. Being there I went into the “bird room” and the first thing I saw was Gracie in the back, I think there might have been a Scarlet in the front but my eyes were glued on Gracie, and she had all my attention. I went up to her and just stared slack jawed, she was beautiful.
I offered my fingers to be tasted and she did, very gently and carefully. I asked her if she wanted to step up as I offered my fingers as a perch, and up she went without the slightest hesitation.
I was able to scratch her head and she just looked at me and asked “Kiss?” So I did. Gave her a big smooch on the beak and it was all over, my heart just melted right there and then. Total mush.
Gracie’s coloring was spectacular as she had a Red Factor tinge throughout her entire body and was just stunningly beautiful. But then again she could have been buck nekkid like my Ruby and I still would have found her stunningly beautiful.
I carried her around a bit in the room when one of the “clerks” came in and told me to be careful with her as she was a meanie. To prove her wrong I asked Gracie for a kiss and she leaned into me as I proffered my puckered lips for a smooch.
Flabbergasted, the clerk had said that she had not seen that particular bird do that with anyone else and was very surprised.
Gracie talks, but the extent of her vocabulary is unknown. As I was there she mumbled silently to herself as she was riding around on my hand and just having a grand time of it.
With slightly moist eyes and a heart that was still in the mush stage, I had to leave Gracie behind. The price tag of $700 was more than I could come up with at the time. Besides, even if I would have had that kind of money I still would have had to shell out several hundred more for an additional cage and all the peripherals that go along with that kind of purchase.
Katrin would have killed me on the spot. And probably lived happily ever after with all the birds, Gracie included.
This was a tough one, a real tough one, but I had to walk away from this bird.
She will be in my prayers that she will find a home that she can grow old in and be loved. I just so very much wish it could have been mine.

[mamalovesrico]

Oh Graeh, I can relate. I fell in love with a Mollucan at the pet store last Sunday. Even went back in yesterday to see her and hold her again. I just can't do that to Rico. Plus my house isn't big enough for two cages of that size. I'm sure I'm going to fall in love a million times within the next year. It's hard to resist. But if a bird ever asked me for a kiss, my heart would melt.

[kathyellen]

I COMPLETELY understand. I know she will find a wonderful new home!
( dude, we need to win the lottery )

[birdyland]

Oh Graeh, I think I met that bird personally.... she whistled at me and clucked. She is a beauty. I picked her up and touched her (she wasn't thrilled like she seemed to be with you, but I don't think she's a meanie!), but I didn't get much time with her because I had to save my dad from that Blue and gold that's been out there for months that pleads sweet until it gets on you and turns into a monster. Dad was so flustered (he can't see well, and he moves slow) that he scared a little bare eyed too off it's perch!

I feel your pain... the hy at the bird crazy tried to come home with me again last week ;-} And two baby greys at that same store were velcro on my hubby... he had BUTTONS! Not to mention the Grey that they have there that is older and missing half a couple of tows... what a sweetie pie! Hubby is tumbling down down down the never ending tunnel of addiction that is named "PARROTS".

[Dayna]

I got a bit teary eyed when you said that you had to leave with out her.

What pain must have been in your heart at that moment. My thoughts are with her. (and you)

[LissaKokoKiwiKaseySam]

Originally Posted by Graehstone

I made a BIG mistake today.
I went to Our Feathered Friends, my favorite bird store, today and fell in love.
As some of you might know, my dream bird was, is and always will be, a Timneh African Grey. Well, they had one there for sale.
Her name is Gracie and she is between 10 and 12 years old. Her previous owners dropped her off at the store, sold her, just before Christmas because they were moving someplace else and for some reason could not take her with them.
I just needed to buy another cup holder for Cleo’s, our Senegal, cage because she chips the paint off of it and I was worried she might ingest some of the paint. Being there I went into the “bird room” and the first thing I saw was Gracie in the back, I think there might have been a Scarlet in the front but my eyes were glued on Gracie, and she had all my attention. I went up to her and just stared slack jawed, she was beautiful.
I offered my fingers to be tasted and she did, very gently and carefully. I asked her if she wanted to step up as I offered my fingers as a perch, and up she went without the slightest hesitation.
I was able to scratch her head and she just looked at me and asked “Kiss?” So I did. Gave her a big smooch on the beak and it was all over, my heart just melted right there and then. Total mush.
Gracie’s coloring was spectacular as she had a Red Factor tinge throughout her entire body and was just stunningly beautiful. But then again she could have been buck nekkid like my Ruby and I still would have found her stunningly beautiful.
I carried her around a bit in the room when one of the “clerks” came in and told me to be careful with her as she was a meanie. To prove her wrong I asked Gracie for a kiss and she leaned into me as I proffered my puckered lips for a smooch.
Flabbergasted, the clerk had said that she had not seen that particular bird do that with anyone else and was very surprised.
Gracie talks, but the extent of her vocabulary is unknown. As I was there she mumbled silently to herself as she was riding around on my hand and just having a grand time of it.
With slightly moist eyes and a heart that was still in the mush stage, I had to leave Gracie behind. The price tag of $700 was more than I could come up with at the time. Besides, even if I would have had that kind of money I still would have had to shell out several hundred more for an additional cage and all the peripherals that go along with that kind of purchase.
Katrin would have killed me on the spot. And probably lived happily ever after with all the birds, Gracie included.
This was a tough one, a real tough one, but I had to walk away from this bird.
She will be in my prayers that she will find a home that she can grow old in and be loved. I just so very much wish it could have been mine.

Mike,

Gracie has chosen YOU...you need to find a way my friend. Your story is so much like mine when I got Koko...and look how happy we are!!!!

Katrin won't kill you..she won't be home for a few more days,and by then, it will be too late!

[kensbuns]

Graeh you old softie. Sorry you had to leave her there but God must have other plans for you or you would have had the money. So that being said call Katrin and go and buy that bird!!!! LOL!!! (Just Kidding). Sorry your heart was broken!!!!!

[Sophiestkated2]

Graeh, I will give you the best, straightest answer I have in my head and in my heart.
USE A CREDIT CARD! You will always find the money to make the payments! Get her a fine cage while you're there.
Once Katrin sees the bird, she'll just melt. She's a softie too!
Go for it!
Jeth

[Cheeky beaks]

I've been in the same pain for over a year. There is a Goffin cockatoo male that starts to jump up and down the minute he see's my car. He puts both his feet through the cage to grab hold of me and gives me the love kisses. He's bitten a lot of people at the store and is a cronic yeller. He's been in the store for a couple of years and they don't let their birds out. I've cried over this bird so many times, she wants $1000. for him. Other males in Canada go for $500 -$700. Its not just the money and cage thats stopping me, its Pedro our male we got last summer. He's come such a long way even with our female teasing him and telling him to go away when he gets too close. I just say a lot of prayers to the Bird God to find him a very special person he can love.
I try to go into the store as little as possible and then I feel guilty because I know he dosn't get any love. Oh for a large Lotto win so I could build a huge house with seperate rooms for all the birds and I could spend my time just giving and getting cuddles. Joan

[Samm]

Go for it Mike! You know you won't get a moment's rest until you bring her home!! We fell in love with Sapphire so much, I'm thinking about getting another VERY soon!