Going on a trip

[LoudmouthBailey]

An opportunity just arose for me to go on a long trip. At least two months without internet / phone access. This trip will start at the end of March. Bailey, my lovebird, is used to seeing me 12+ hours a day. I have him out for most of that time, and I am his world.

I'm wondering if anyone has been in similar circumstances, and what they would recommend I do in this situation for Bailey. I have family that would be more than willing to care for him while I'm gone, but my concern is that he'll think I died and stop eating/drinking because of it. I took a two week vacation about a year ago and my girlfriend said she was scared for his life because of how depressed he was behaving.

[Maxie]

Don't go! :cry:

[Maxie]

Actually, I have an idea! What if you were to take him to someone that has a bird? It would keep Bailey occupied while you were away and he may not get as depressed. Could there be anyone in this forum that lives close by to you that might volunteer to bird sit for you while you're gone? I would offer if I lived in the area but Toronto might be a little too far to just drop Bailey off…lol

[LoudmouthBailey]

Yeah Maxie, I'm seriously considering it. It's one of those things though that is once in a lifetime. I'd regret the trip if anything happened to Bailey, but I'd also regret not going if he could be fine.

Also, I do have people that will watch him. My girlfriend lives with me, and she wouldn't be going on the trip with me. It's still scary, because he's really only bonded with me. I, unfortunately, don't know anyone else with a bird for birdy company.

[Maxie]

That's really tough. It's too bad you won't have internet access where you're going…maybe skyping with him would have been the solution.

[LoudmouthBailey]

Ha, that's exactly what I said! It's a sailing trip though. Best I could do would be satellite phone convos, which would cost me an arm and a leg.

[Maxie]

What about if you videotaped yourself talking to him before you leave and your g/f can play it to him daily? Maybe you should give it a try and see how he reacts to it before you actually leave?

[LoudmouthBailey]

What about if you videotaped yourself talking to him before you leave and your g/f can play it to him daily? Maybe you should give it a try and see how he reacts to it before you actually leave?

I may try it, though I can't imagine it working for very long. The biggest problem is, I can't really know without leaving. I could avoid him for a week or something and see what happens........ but that just feels so so wrong.

[Maxie]

I'm sure you're very torn.

Send Linda or Michael an email…they're experts and will probably give you very good advice and probably some great suggestions.

[linda040899]

I may try it, though I can't imagine it working for very long.
How about recording several videos, even as many as a half dozen and alternate them so he's not seeing the same thing all the time. It's very hard when the bond is so strong. Does Bailey like your gf? I know it's second best but at least he would be well cared for.

[LoudmouthBailey]

How about recording several videos, even as many as a half dozen and alternate them so he's not seeing the same thing all the time. It's very hard when the bond is so strong. Does Bailey like your gf? I know it's second best but at least he would be well cared for.

He's very indifferent to anyone but me, as you might expect. He's not aggressive at all though, and generally pretty easy going.

And, yes, the video thing might be cool. Definitely worth a shot.

[longobongo]

If your girlfriend lives with you, and Bailey's environment wouldn't change, I'd say it would be okay to leave him. Especially if your girlfriend can have him out of his cage, and he's accustomed to her voice and smell and and touch, it would be less of an adjustment than for you to be gone and him adjusting to a completely new everything. Imagine how excited he'll be when you get back! It may even improve the bond between your girlfriend and Bailey. My bird (also named Bailey), much prefers my company to my boyfriend's, but if I'm not around, she behaves much better with him (less biting and aggression).

[starwynde]

Gem, my lovie, is definitely bonded to me, but like with longobongo's Bailey, when I am away, my husband is an acceptable substitute). It was actually an emergency trip to visit my mother that got the two of them together, as Gem needed supervised time outside while I was gone :D If the only thing changing with your trip is you being gone, Bailey should have no trouble adjusting as long as your girlfriend pays attention to him and keeps up the interaction with him. The videos can't hurt either :D