It's a dark day here

[Emily]

Life has a way of kicking you sometimes in the butt, my butt has been kicked and I'm yelling Uncle!

Some of you know that I am helping now raise my 7 yr old grandson who came from a bad situation, and last month my father up north became very ill. I am in the situation that I fly from Florida up north each month to help with the family up there due to the illness. I quit my part time job so that I can take care of my grandson this summer. (I can get another part time job in the fall--no biggie there) My life with the birds has been the pits with a capital P. I have a B&G Sara that I have had for 6 months now and a Cag Morgan who plucks (I really can't blame her for that my nails are now chewed to the nuckles). and a little Parrotlet Cory.

My husband has now said that he doesn't enjoy coming home anymore due to the birds being so loud. Sara the B&G is so attached to me since I am the only bird person in the house and I am the only one that handles her, when I am out of her sight she screams..we have a "small " house with tile floors. The ear shattering shrill goes to the bones. The dogs flee to the bedrooms and I can't even handle it anymore.

So, the breeder is buying her back from me tomorrow. Sara is really bonded to her also and I have been boarding Sara with her while I go up north since no one at home can or will take care of her. The grey will stay forever and the parrotlet will be staying outside on the enclosed patio during the day and inside at night.

The decision was hard however it's either Sara going back or me being admitted to the funny farm. I don't know how you others do it, my hat is off to you all, cause I can't do it. All I get done doing is feeding birds, cleaning for them. I get something started and I have to stop and feed birds, go start something else and go check on them and opps something needs cleaned, I put them outside so they have time out of their cages and go inside to finish laundry or something and I'm back outside (enclosed area they aren't in danger) and giving them showers, then back and forth like a yo yo . Then the screaming for me cause Sara can't see me, I could scream my own self! so I give up........Then help my grandson with something or read to him, or play with him or something, I feel like I'm trying to do 10 things at once and I can't even get 1 thing finished before I start the next thing.

I explained what is happening to Morgan (cag) and I think she understands cause she has been a monkey the last 2 days since I told her about it.

It's bittersweet, Sara is a cuddle bunny, and such a love, but can be stuborn as heck and loud as ......she will be missed, but my family and my sanity is more important.

I had a talk with hubby, he agrees that Sara going is the best thing for the household. So please say a prayer for us, and I'm going back up north Tuesday.

Take care,
Emily

[Greymom721]

Take a nice big deep breath Emily! You can only do what you can & at least Sarah is going to a home where she knows & loves someone and someone will still love her! Take each thing one at a time & try not to over whelm yourself! I know how you feel...I have a special needs son that is EXHAUSTING most of the time. Feel free to vent when ever needed!
Shamrock, Bosco & I are sending you a much needed **HUG**!

[danforth3]

Emily, I agree to Cindy. Take a deep breath. You are in a situation that was not planned nor expected. You are doing the best you can. Sara is going to a place where she was loved once before and will be again. You cannot handle it all (I know we moms are superwomen but we do need a break). While my son is not specia needs he is very high maintenance with his share of problems and somedays everything defeats me. Luckily for me my husband and my son are as big bird lovers as I am, so when those days happen they pitch in, but you do what you can. Your priorities right now are you husband, grandson and father. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

[The Outlaw]

Emily:

I'm so sorry that its come to this. However, I'm a grandmother, mother and wife and I can tell you right now, NOTHING will keep me from my family. If you've done the best you can, what MORE could be expected of you. Sara is young and very beautiful. Her life's journey is just beginning. People often get involved in the romance of owning birds, especially big birds, and when the reality comes crashing down on them, its brutal.

You are absolutely correct when you state that maintaining them properly IS a full time job. How I get anything done is all about choreography. And, you simply have to lower your standards. Some people cannot do that. I understand that my kitchen will never be really clean again. How can it be? Its constantly in motion. If I'm not cooking, then I'm vacuum sealing. If I'm not bagging and storing I'm shopping and dragging MORE stuff home to cook.

Making a phone call can be a major challenge. If the birds are occupied or its after dark, NO problem. However, if someone knocks on the door or a strange vehicle shows up, its bedlam. When my mother in law shows up, they go nuts because she's half deaf and uses a cane. She scares them to death. No matter how often I tell her to let me know when she's coming, she forgets. I always have to fix a broken feather due to them panicking.

I live with 10 birds. I make sure that they have their own areas. I used to let them explore but got quite sick of replacing wallpaper and wood trim. They now have designated areas and seem just fine.

You have thought things through and found her a proper home. I'm certain the breeder will carefully place her again, or even keep her. Sounds like you have a good and compassionate breeder.

I won't throw stones. There but for the grace of God go I. I certainly hope that things settle down soon. Please contact me privately. I sent you an email about 2 products that I'm using for my 2 pluckers and they are doing very well. You might want to give them a try. Spend as much time as you can with your dad. Daddy's are very rare commodities.

THE OUTLAW

[Crebain]

"It's always darkest before the dawn."

I think you're doing the right thing for all concerned. Good luck Emily, and please keep us posted.

[Emily]

It's done.............very very sad, I cried and cried. The breeder is keeping her and not selling her again. I set up her cage for her the same way it was at home, filled her nut cage with left over wood from her toys and nuts. Everything is the same for her and in the same spot. When I took her in she saw the other birds and said Hi. Such a good girl, too bad things didn't work out, but I know how much she is loved there also.

I have to pack and fly up north in the morning.


Emily :icon_sad:

[Crebain]

I know how're feeling. Been there. At least you know she'll be happy, and wants you to be happy, too.

Life is too short for regrets, neh?

[Chariclo]

I am crying as I read your post. So sorry that you had to part with your Sara. I hope your home is a little more peaceful for all of you. And I do hope that you know that you did the right thing.

[Doug W]

I too am tearing up. I am so sorry to read this post. It is never an easy decision to rehome a pet.

You did do the right thing. Please know that and know that you have support here. Please keep us posted on Sara's progress in her new home.

[Emily]

Thank you all for the support here, Its better than what I got from one person on BH.

Emily, running to get packed and catch a plane