Journal of an adopted 9 year old Senegal in Wilmington, NC

[Cpip]

:( sorry to hear that ! Hopefully you will be able to work something out!

[sootykitty]

That is heartbreaking news. I really do hope that you can work something out so that Klaus can stay with you. It seems that you would be good for each other, but sometimes things don't always work out the way you hope. If you truly think that you can't be his forever owner, then it is for the best. It is so hard on these little guys to get bounced around from owner to owner. I know that it is a hard decision to make. I wish I lived closer because I'd come and pick him up in a heartbeat, but it is a long walk to your place from Phoenix. Please keep us posted. BTW, those are some great pictures of him.

[Shinosuke]

We had a pretty fun day today. I went and got my first professional massage (It was freaking GREAT, I must say), and Klaus ate some steamed carrots. I also gave him some steamed peas in the pod, but he ignored them. We watched "Planet Terror" together and had some good laughs.

Renee hasn't been spending much time with Klaus at all, even though she definitely enjoys whistling with / at him. I asked her to hand him to me from the jungle gym earlier today, and he wouldn't step up for her. He bit at her a few times, and she kept yanking her hand back. Eventually he got her pretty good on the thumb. She got pretty mad, gave up trying to pick him up, and hasn't talked to me or him very much since.

Klaus's owner emailed me tonight, and I took the chance to let him know about what's going on and offered him Klaus back if he thinks that he'd be better off with someone else. He is still Klaus's owner as far as I'm concerned, and I want to be totally honest with him. I also gave him the link to this thread, so maybe he'll come here and check it out.

[sootykitty]

These birds are pretty smart and Klaus probably knows that Renee isn't too keen on him. Plus if she's yanking back then she's an easy target. He already knows that she fears him. Too bad for her and for Klaus too. She may never know how truly rewarding it is to have a little bird for a friend. But, then again, if your relationship is ending and she is leaving then it will be less painful for the two of them to part ways. Not so for you I'm afraid.

I am glad that you had such a great day with him. I am curious . . . I didn't ask you yesterday but why do you feel that you might have to give him up if your relationship with Renee ends? I'm not trying to be nosy. I am just wondering what that would have any affect on you and Klaus and the relationship you're building together.

I am glad that you informed his owner about the situation. I hope that the two of you (the owner and you, not Klaus and you) can figure out the best way to handle this situation. I'm sure the owner is going through some difficulty of his own because of the loss of Klaus and the fact that he is moving. I am sure that he wanted to be certain that Klaus was taken care in a new permanent home before he left him behind. It is so hard on everyone. What a terrible position for all of you.

Thanks for keeping us informed, Adam. And please, continue to do so. We are all looking forward to a happy ending here.

[Shinosuke]

Well, if / when she leaves, I'll obviously not be at the happiest point in my life. My job is going ok but she's the main reason I'm in this town, and without her to anchor (in a good way) me here I have no reason to stay. Without her here I'll most likely start looking around for a better job anywhere else in the country, as I'm certainly not afraid to pull up roots and move anywhere. The payscale for any nonexecutive job here in Wilmington is much lower than average due to us being at the beach, and at this point I'm more concerned with my career / pay than with being at the beach. Not saying that I will definitely move, but it's a possibility.

Also, even though I pay all the bills, she's a big help around the house. She does most of the cleaning, shopping, and cooking on her own. Without her to help share the load of everyday life, I'd have less time for little Klaus.

I can just see it adding up and becoming overwhelming. Klaus is great, he's sitting on my shoulder preening him self and flicking his tounge against his beak on, happy as can be, at this very moment. I don't want to give him up, but I am worried about the turmoil of my personal life sweeping him up and making him feel uncomfortable or unhappy.

Does all that make sense?

[sootykitty]

I understand you're in a really tough place right now. I feel for you both. These are extremely hard decisions and a time for real soul searching. I don't envy you in this time. I do hope that you can come to a resolution that is best for both you and Renee.

Have you heard anything at all from Klaus's owner yet?

[Shinosuke]

Yes, I talked to him today and in an email previously. He read these posts and said that he thinks Klaus has a good home with me, better than what he'd have at his parents house where he wouldn't get much attention, and it's up to me to decide if he should go back or not. He's actually coming over for a visit tomorrow before he has to leave town for awhile.

Maybe tomorrows visit will inspire a few postworthy shots, so stay tuned for some possible pictures!

[Halo]

I just got the chance to read this thread and just wanted to add that I hope you will be able to keep Klaus... sounds like he is so happy and definitely loved and happy!

Best of luck and I look forward to reading more.

[shosh]

Just read these posts and I have to second the above opinion that I think you and Klaus are made for each other. That is not to say that we have ANY idea as to your personal situation and the turmoil it will entail, but we can only hope that you come to a decision that is best for all.
Do remember, that sometimes people/animals come into our lives for a reason. Maybe Klaus came into your life at this point to help you through what may prove to be a difficult time ahead. I know that my animals have been a great comfort to me in my times of sadness or strife and it was so helpful to come home to happy, caring housemates. It is also important to remember that whatever is happening to you now is transitory. Yes, there will be difficult times, yes, you may have less time for Klaus than you do right at this moment, because your personal situation is in a state of upheaval. But those things pass and normalcy will once again take over.
I know that there are times when I simply can't spend as much time with my birds or my cats as I would like to or as they are used to....but, they survive it quite well and are grateful for the times together. We make the time really about quality until we can once again make it about quantity.
I guess what I am trying to say is: Life is going to be less than rosy at times but the companionship and love of an animal never wanes and is forever.
I think what you and Klaus are doing for each other will outlive the tough times ahead. (just my two cents...obviously this is a very PERSONAL decision...)

[sootykitty]

Haven't heard any news from you in awhile. Is everything okay with you and Klaus?