Warning: Rant!

[Enko_chan]

I was in a fabric shop looking for fabric to use for a "tent-perch" for the birds, and there were two women working there. One of the women was talking with the other about her Amazon. She bought the bird because she wanted an animal that talks, and was looking for a new home for it because it was so much work, so messy, and so loud. She kept repeating "I just wanted a talking animal, but you wouldn't believe how loud and messy and how much work these animals require" and the other said "Well how much work can an animal that lives in a cage really be?" and it went on like this and so on and so forth- from what I ascertained, the poor bird spends all his time in the cage and doesn't talk, isn't trained, and is very young. My grandmother had to put her hand on my shoulder and give me the "its not worth it" look... so I cooled down and gave the woman some basic recommendations on how to help her train the bird, and that if she pays him more attention he will probably not scream all day, give him some foraging toys, dietary treats... and she was polite enough about listening, but didn't seem to really care. I told her that all birds are a lot of work, and that though they are capable of speech, that even the birds best known for being good talkers may very well never say a word. She asked if I thought she should get a bird that already talks and I told her no. That any bird will be more work than she wants and recommended she go to some of the online forums and learn more about parrot husbandry before she got another bird. The bird drives her husband nuts and he yells at the poor thing. The cage they use is too small. The bird eats only seed. I could go on and on. I know I can't save every bird there is, but I wish to God that Chris wouldn't move out if I brought a big bird home- I would have just taken the bird then and there. I pray that this woman takes to heart some of the things I told her and either finds a good home for the bird or treats her better. I recommended to her if she does decide to rehome that she finds someone from within a bird lovers community and not on craigs list. Ugh! It broke my heart to hear this. I really wish that people would do their research before getting a pet, and that those who want a novelty would stick to non-living things.

[LovelySydney]

You are a better person than I am! I would have lost it - but I have this very wierd sense about animals and I get so emotional and sensitive when I hear of any mistreatments. I couldn't even watch a portion of 60 minutes last night because they spoke about lions being poisoned in Africa and then showed it happening! I started crying and my bf quickly changed the channel, neither of us can stand what humans are capable of doing to animals.

I hope that the poor bird finds a home and that it is a GOOD HOME. I am so tired of people getting animals and then realizing that they are work - DUH! I think Gus is more work than my little Maggie, lol. But it comes with owning a pet, and I wish more people would understand that before getting one or not. There are too many animals out there who aren't properly cared for and it simply is NOT FAIR OR HUMANE. I hope this lady realizes what she is doing and lets the bird go to a rescue or to someone who can truly love it and take care of it. Ughhhh that makes me so mad, ignorant people just aren't a high priority on my list for sympathy.


sorry you had to witness it, I'm sure it will no doubt be lingering in your head all day - I hate that! Good for you for trying to help though, I hope she truly takes what you said to heart and tries to build a relationship with her bird, if not - then I hope she wises up and does what's right for her animal.

[dieflying]

I was just telling my husband last night that I find it funny so many people just rotate through pets. This dog isn't cool any more, give it up and get a different one. Everyone is always telling us to give up our two cats, but I always say no, I brought them into the family and that's where they'll stay. I'd no sooner give them up than I would just dump my husband at the humane society!

In fact I was in agony for 3 months waiting for Kath to be ready to come home - I'd never had a bird other than a parakeet who pretty much took care of himself. He wasn't interested in interacting and after reading that lovebirds get into everything I was worried I shouldn't get one.

I'm with you guys - if you don't think you can handle the responsibility, get a pet rock! :)

[Pips mom]

See, this is the problem....who sold that bird to that woman?? She obviously wasn't keeping it any secret that she wanted a bird that talks or that the cage she has for it is too small or that it eats only seed! The person she got that bird from should have educated her more, and if she really just didn't care.....then it's probably true that she just isn't much of an animal lover, and that should be pretty obvious to those of us who are.
A girl that I work with got a cockatiel for her kids.....I let her borrow some books I have and she and her kids read them and I think she is a responsible pet owner and does the best she can, only the last time I asked her how the bird was doing, her comments were mostly about how messy the bird is!
People buying birds should be given info on teflon, and all the other dangers in the home to their bird.....most people don't have a clue and then wonder why the bird died a couple of weeks later! Also, every bird owner should read this before bringing a bird into their home......

http://www.crystal-parrot.com/Butnoone.html

http://www.crystal-parrot.com/billofrights.html

[Enko_chan]

I agree pipsmom! That's exactly what I was thinking! She was talking like nothing about all this stuff, and she had NO IDEA when she answered some of my questions that her answers were making me sick to my stomach! Happily, she doesn't use teflon, scented candles, glad plug ins etc. another reason why her "husband hates that bird"... they are so disappointed with the mess, the noise and the lack of talking of a bird less than a year old- and there doesn't seem to be much love there at all. I was so heated and trying to contain myself, I knew yelling at the lady wasn't going to help... that I didn't even think to ask where she got the bird from in the first place.

I have sent those same links to a number of people who were thinking of getting a bird. I always let them know that I don't mean to be condescending, but people really do not realize how much love and care goes into keeping a happy parrot- and that their mental health is just as important as their physical health!

This woman seemed to have no conception of her poor bird as a sensitive being with feelings as real as her own. Even when I am selling fish I ask a lot of questions and have refused to sell to people who don't know how to care for them! When I send an e-mail with the care sheet, many people don't ever write me back again, or write back saying "do I really need a heater?" "are you sure they can't live in a 1/4 cup size vase with a peace lilly on top?" "do I really need to change the water?" "can't they just eat flakes?" UGH! i am more than happy to tell a person WHY each of the things on the care sheet are important, and they don't even BEGIN to broach the surface of all there is to know about fish husbandry! i just make sure their home is big enough, the right temperature, their water is clean, they are housed with compatible tank-mates if any, and they get a proper diet! if you can't spend $8 on a 25 watt mini heater, $10 on a 1 gal - 10 gal tank, $5 for water conditioner that will last a year for one fish, $5 for enough healthy pellets to last a year, and $10 for a variety pack of frozen food- why get a pet at all? after several e-mails back and forth explaining that betta splendens are tropical fish and they require water temperature between 74 and 82 degrees F, that in their original habitat they live in rice paddies which are shallow and narrow but very long with a large volume of water and do not live in mud puddles- so they do require water changes, and they are carnivores and cannot eat the roots of peace lillies PLUS peace lillies are TOXIC and poisonous to the fish... and the person is still being huffy about shelling out under $10 for a heater- you bet I am ready to tell them I'll sell them a pet rock but no fish!

[Mummieeva]

I know to well how you feel. A few days ago I was "walked" out of Petsmart by several workers. I was helping a women buy a Budgie/parakeet. They did not like my suggestions. But lucky for me the women loved my answers and listened to me. While she was getting the bird for her 3 yr old daughter she knew she would have to care for it. She even asked taming tips. But many times I have seen or overheard bird owners or people wanting them saying stupid things. Sometimes I say something others my husband drags me away.lol.



Steph

[linda040899]

Kristi,
You have more control than I do. I would have told the lady I would take the bird and then find it a good home myself! Been there, done that!

Amazon Parrots have certain times each day when they scream. It's called "Amazon overload" and there are only a few Zon species that don't experience it. I love Alex (BFA) beyond words but in the early evening, you can barely hear yourself think at my house for all of the decibels that Alex produces! Other than those times, she's a perfect angel. Monty (DYH), on the other hand, is quite the talker and will repeat the same word for as long as 60 minutes! He used to call his former owner "Bob" and Monty will sit on top of his cage and just repeat "Bob" over and over and over and over again! His second favorite word is "Hello!" and thank goodness he's not strung those 2 words together yet.

ALL birds are messy, not just Amazons. If anyone would like to experience macaw ownership, let me know.......... :whistle: I guarantee the experience will most likely last less than 24 hrs! An Amazon is quiet compared to a macaw!

[Enko_chan]

Steph-

I have been escorted out of PetSmart and PetCo a few times for correcting their fish "expert"...

one time it was because the person working in the fish section advised AGAINST quarantine!

The only disease I have ever had in my fish room came from there, and it had happened so recently that I still had fish in treatment- you bet I wasn't letting anyone walk out of that shop with fish and have them infect their tank on my watch! I QT'd the outbreak fish for 30 days and the fish still gave internal parasites (and not the opportunistic sort of parasites that exist in every fish tank) to my entire previously healthy tank, she was the first to sicken and I pulled and treated her, separated EVERY fish and treated them, she died and so did three of my other fish. Now I QT 60 days no matter where my fish come from, and they DO NOT come from PetCo! However, to be fair, although there are MANY things I dislike about the chain pet shops nearby- they have stopped selling birds other than finches and canaries and the PetCo nearest me values and encourages my information on fish husbandry and they have gone so far as to change some things based on my recommendations. While there are MANY things that make me never want to set foot in a chain pet shop again, its the only local place that sells a few heavier (difficult and expensive to ship) items I require in my fish room, and though it may be unusual in such a setting, the majority of the people who work there are animal lovers themselves and actually know what they are doing and try to do their best for the living things they sell within the confines of the corporate shackles.

[Enko_chan]

Kristi,
You have more control than I do. I would have told the lady I would take the bird and then find it a good home myself! Been there, done that!



I have actually given her e-mail address (with permission) to a few local bird lovers who may take the lady bird in. If not, my grandfather may do the honors.

[Mummieeva]

Yeah, I do go in there but I will not buy a bird from there. I did for my first bird. But not again. Ours is supsoe to only carry small birds. Budgies, finches, and canaries. But there was a Green cheek there the other day.



Steph

[Enko_chan]

UPDATE:

I want you all to know that Chyna, the DYH Amazon Hen is going to her forever home with an acquaintance of mine today. She has other Amazons and big birds, and though the bird was the only one at her first home, she will go though a 30 day QT and vet check while she is assimilated and given new foods to try. This is a really excellent place for her to be. She will receive all the love, attention, patience, and empathy she needs to heal.

[linda040899]

That's wonderful news!!! Thanks for the update!

[LauraO]

:happy::happy::happy::happy:

Yeah for Chyna! Yeah for you for helping her change her life forever!

[nacho135]

I'm so happy to hear that the Amazon found a home it deserves! Its a shame to hear about the conditions that birds live in, but it is very lucky to have a 2nd chance!

[Pips mom]

Awww, that's great news! plus you'll always feel happy now when hear how she's doing because you helped in giving her a happier life!

[bookworm0550]

awesome news!!! good to hear that.

[Jessica]

That's an awesome update!!!

[Flip]

That's absolutely incredible news! I wish all birds were so lucky!