Should I...

[Eliza]

...or shouldn't I bring another lovebird into the home.

I've had Beetle for nearly 2 years now. He's a delightful companion (although not perfect) and I've said MANY times that if he were to be the only bird I ever care for during the rest of my life, then I'd consider myself blessed.

That said, like many of you, I've fallen head-over-heels in love with lovebirds since I brought him home. I have a shelf full of lovebird books and stacks of magazines with lovebird articles. I love 'em all and if I had unlimited time and resources, I'd likely have dozens :lol As it stands I have a nice sized apartment, a steady job (7 yrs and counting), money set aside for vet care, etc. Quarantine wouldn't be a problem, nor would housing them in 2 seperate cages.

Beetle's breeder, who is just wonderful, has a clutch of masked babies (cobalt, slate and dilute slate). I think that all 3 mutations are quite beautiful and have had my heart set on a slate since... well, since I got Beetle :lol I would only be bringing a male bird into my home as I have never had luck with female pets of any species (seriously -- most of my ER vet care funds have gone to uterine-based emergancies). I know the risks of housing lovies that are of two different species together so that's not something I'm even going to attempt. In the event that they do not get along I do have time enough in my life to devote to individual playtimes.

My only concern is... well, I don't know! Maybe I'm just second-guessing or doing a lot of worst-case-scenario thinking. Right now, with one parrot and one rabbit, it's easy for me to get away for a weekend (a co-worker can look in on them). For a longer stay I can leave the critters with my parents or in the case of Beetle, I can board. In the case of natural disaster or other emergancy I can evacuate quickly as it's just myself and 2 small animals.

OK. Enough rambling.

I know that there are members of this forum with 2 (or more) different species co-habitating in the same house. Has it worked out well for you... and more importantly, for the lovebirds? Did you agonize as much as I am over this :roll:

Thx,

-e-

[Janie]

Eliza, GO FOR IT!!!!!! You've thought this through and I think you are totally prepared. I only have peachies so I can't advise on two species getting along together but Suzanne, Elle and several other members can.

I thought about adding another lovie for two years before I did it and I am SO HAPPY that I did! Two more actually but let me tell you, it's been just what the doctor ordered for Oliver. Happier, healthier......there is no doubt that the company has improved the quality of his life. More mess for me, yes, but a whole lot more fun, too, and worth the extra work. :D:D:D

[linda040899]

If you think you can give another fortunate lovie a forever home, I also say go for it!!!

I have a male Fischer's and a male Peachie that share a cage and it works out very well. At one time, Franci (my huge Abby hen) shared a cage with a female Green Fischer's hen and they also got along well. A lot depends on the individual birds.

[Janie]

If you think you can give another fortunate lovie a forever home, I also say go for it!!!

I have a male Fischer's and a male Peachie that share a cage and it works out very well. At one time, Franci (my huge Abby hen) shared a cage with a female Green Fischer's hen and they also got along well. A lot depends on the individual birds.

OK, so far that's 100% saying you should do it! :D You've given this more thought than most people do and that tells me you are ready! I can't wait for photos of your new lovie! :rofl:

[cassysmiley]

Well Here in U.K. we dont get many disasters. but imagine if I did,i got 3 cats, 1 parrot, 8 Fids, and 3 fish tanks to move :omg:
Go for it, you know you want to.
Will wait for the photos of your new Fid. :whistle: :whistle:
think you been out voted anyway. but on a serious note, where there is a will there is a way, and if you can give a fid that you got your heart upon a loving home, go with what your heart says.
Cassy.

[Eliza]

Thx, folks.

Linda -- I had forgotten that you had the PF and Fischer's that liked living together! That's good to read :)

I'm still giving this quite a bit of thought, though!

-e-

[LauraO]

Eliza: This is not the place to be asking whether a responsible and knowledgeable one lovie owner like yourself should get another:rofl: . I'm sure you already know the answer to that one;) .

[mjm8321]

I'm sure it's a lot to think about. Honestly, I sometimes wish that I had stuck with one. Life would be a whole lot simpler. I give you lots of credit for taking your time in making a decision. We all know you have the knowledge and heart to care of another lovebird, but it's still a big choice to make because Beetle is your first. What if he doesn't like the new addition, vice versa or worse, both dislike the other!?? :omg: How will Beetle react to having a new friend after being an only bird for two years? Definite things to think about.
Take your time and don't let the "agents of the darkside" here influence you too much. :rofl:

[Teri]

I know how you feel. I'm trying to decide when, if and what type of 2nd birdie baby I would like to add to my home. Luckily I'm not in a hurry. Cooper's not quite a year old yet and keeps me entertained just tryin to figure him out! lol Masked lovies are gorgeous. My Cooper is a blue masked and he melts the hearts of everyone with his lil masked bandit like face..right before he munches down on their fingers. The masked lovies, especially the blue mutations remind me a bit of penguins! Coopers a cutie pie! Although I have heard masked lovies are a bit more timid and shy then peachies. Cooper's very skittish of new things and hand shy so this could be true, however I have nothing to compair to as he's my only fid. Good luck with you choice!

Teri

[Janie]

I'm sure it's a lot to think about. Honestly, I sometimes wish that I had stuck with one. Life would be a whole lot simpler. I give you lots of credit for taking your time in making a decision. We all know you have the knowledge and heart to care of another lovebird, but it's still a big choice to make because Beetle is your first. What if he doesn't like the new addition, vice versa or worse, both dislike the other!?? :omg: How will Beetle react to having a new friend after being an only bird for two years? Definite things to think about.
Take your time and don't let the "agents of the darkside" here influence you too much. :rofl:

MJ....seriously, you only had ONE when you started????? :rofl:

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Eliza,

These guys talked me into getting a friend for Milo. I have to admit, they were right!!

Yes, the vet bills doubled, the mess and the noise more than doubled. But it's worth it.

[mjm8321]

MJ....seriously, you only had ONE when you started????? :rofl:

Yes Janie, just one little yeller birdie. :rofl:

[Eliza]

I, of course, forwarded photos of my beloved Beetle to family and friends today. Apparently, my friend Jennifer thinks that adding another bird to the flock is a bad idea:

You may only have ONE bird my dear, otherwise down the road you will become the aviary equivalent of the OLD CAT LADY. Waist-high mountains of petrified droppings sprung up from the carpet. Feathers and seed strewn about the house as renegade birdies peck at your week-old, lifeless, cold jelly eyeballs.

Errr... yeah. Can you tell that she's not an animal person :/

-e-

[Janie]

Apparently, my friend Jennifer thinks that adding another bird to the flock is a bad idea:

You may only have ONE bird my dear, otherwise down the road you will become the aviary equivalent of the OLD CAT LADY. Waist-high mountains of petrified droppings sprung up from the carpet. Feathers and seed strewn about the house as renegade birdies peck at your week-old, lifeless, cold jelly eyeballs.

-e-

:D.....I, too, was accused of becoming a "hoarder!" With only THREE lovebirds! My hubby and sons were horrified that I would not be able to stop myself if I got a second and third but since I take care of them (the clean up and vet care) and am the one who gives them 90% of the human attention, I have NO desire to add more. They were afraid that I wouldn't know my limit but I do! ;) While I really do want a GCC, I won't upset my current "perfect" situation with three who get along so well. Long as I'm lucky enough to have Oliver, there won't be a GCC here! :D

Your friend is nuts! You can easily provide enough time, care and attention to two and that is far from over-board! I'll have to admit that what she said made me laugh! :lol

[Eliza]

Your friend is nuts! You can easily provide enough time, care and attention to two and that is far from over-board! I'll have to admit that what she said made me laugh! :lol

She sure has a way with words :whistle:

It's funny, though: that's the exact reaction of a non-animal person. Sure, she'll love on a dog or cat if a friend has one. She might even offer to feed/walk it if you're away. But as for having some sort of pet for herself? NO way :lol

-e-

[ittyandrita]

i read a book about parrots place in western culture, and there were two eulogies written by roman poets (one being Ovid) for their girlfriends parrots who had passed. it made me feel like i am keeping a thousands of years old tradition of being a crazy bird lady alive. and actually, they only quoted two but said that many other parrot eulogies had been discovered- just for interesting historical info, these would have all been ring neck parakeets or very similar

[Eliza]

Beetle's breeder sent me photos this weekend (of course, I did ask her to do that if she could)... They are the most precious little bundles of feathers I ever did see!

Still not 100% sure, one way or the other. I think that I may have to visit the wee beebs to be sure ;)

-e-

[Susan27]

If pictures were sent...um...WHERE ARE THEY!!!????

We like pictures.

BTW, I am already called the crazy bird lady! The good thing is, I work with a lady who has 13 cats, that spray her house ALL THE TIME, and pee in her sink. The trick is to make sure you have a crazier pet person in your life, and then you can always say you're not as crazy as so-and-so! I also use, 'bird's live in cages, so they aren't as messy', non-bird people believe this one!!

[Eliza]

If pictures were sent...um...WHERE ARE THEY!!!????

We like pictures.

BTW, I am already called the crazy bird lady! The good thing is, I work with a lady who has 13 cats, that spray her house ALL THE TIME, and pee in her sink. The trick is to make sure you have a crazier pet person in your life, and then you can always say you're not as crazy as so-and-so! I also use, 'bird's live in cages, so they aren't as messy', non-bird people believe this one!!

I can't seem to get them to upload correctly >:

I have a crazier pet person in my life: my sister and her SIX DOGS. To be fair, however, her house is far cleaner than mine ever will be. Her dogs rarely, if ever, mess in the house (2 are geriatric so that's really impressive, don't you think?). I swear that she must spend 7-9 hours at her job and then another 7-9 hours at home looking after her pups (playing with them, loving on them, cleaning up after them, etc.). Everyone who meets my sister says that they hope to come back as one of her dogs in their next life :lol

[michael]

UH...Uh...What if Goofy and his new companion don't get along and Goof is jealous every time I take the other out to play? Pessimistically speaking, adding another lovie is getting to be a monumental decision. Adding to the possibilty we may now end up in bed some day, propped up for display, not unlike Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds", our jelly like eye's gone forever while two very pissed off lovebirds abuse our corpses for not letting either one know who was your favorite. On the other hand it would save on funeral expenses should my friends and family choose not to check on me long enough to be fully consumed and non-existant. Fortunately there really is a cloud behind every silver lining....ER....did that come out right? OK. Really, I think our dual bird decisions could be narrowed down a bit. Knowing how much we love our Beetle, our Goofy, and probably evey other lovebird etc. on the planet, an additional lovebird family member shouldn't turn out all that bad. At least for me, the time and expense are the main concerns. When you truly love your pets everything else should fall into place. At least for me, given that I have some serious health issues, my most important worry is what will happen to them in the event I expire earlier than anticipated. I try not to think about it except to occasionally bring this to the attention of persons I feel would care for them the same or better if anything should happen. I think a lot of us understand its not death we fear as much as who's going to take care of our loved ones afterwards. This may sound kinda odd, but i've actually timed Goof's arrival and lifespan to hopefully coincide with my own. With a little left over of course, in case I may want to experience some sort of retirement, where I get waited on hand and foot by nurses aids, get fed mind altering drugs, and be visited by friends and family,who at times can't be seen by anyone else. Life is too short for all living things. Think i'll get that other lovebird companion sooner than I thought, and maybe grab a couple hermit crabs for old times sake. Maybe Goofy and his new friend would like a goldfish or two to watch outside their cage. Have to make sure they don't drink from the bowl or bathe in it though. Boy, it sure is tough sometimes to be prepared , but I think it will be definitely worth it!.........Michael and Goofy...friends forever....

[Kirby]

Heh well Kirby is my only Lovie... Many people have said I should get another one. But while I'm living under my boyfriend's parents' roof... Kirby is loud enough by himself.

He has 4 Betta Fish which keep him occupied... I have had to cover their tanks though because he tries to drink out of them. Little bugga

[Susan27]

I can't seem to get them to upload correctly >:


Ok, I guess you are forgiven. I also guess, you gotta bring that birdie home so there are many photo ops!!!:whistle:

[michael]

Heh well Kirby is my only Lovie... Many people have said I should get another one. But while I'm living under my boyfriend's parents' roof... Kirby is loud enough by himself.

He has 4 Betta Fish which keep him occupied... I have had to cover their tanks though because he tries to drink out of them. Little bugga

We have to maintain the best threshold we can as far as caring for our pets. The wllingness to apply something we believe may be requisite to their well being can't always be added because of unexpected change, or other circumstances beyond our control. You have been taking excellent care of Kirby, and by taking into consideration your present surroundings and the fact that you care about how Kirby affects other family members means your doing the best you can. Unless its absolutely detrimental to his care, which obviously its not, it is wise to assume adding another lovie might add unecessary aggravation and make matters worse for you and Kirby. I may be wrong, but I sense you'd like to maybe get Kirby a companion. I would stick to what is best for now as your decision is a wise one. Maybe later on they'll come a time where adding another family member won't have any unforseen obstacles.......Michael and Goofy

[dani]

Eliza...can i tempt you with pictures of my slate masked?:lol. They are really quite gorgeous, Haku stuns me everyday with how adorable he is. I guess I am a hoarder by reputation too, I now have three totally different species of parrot :x, five rambunctious, destructive little mixed breed dogs, 3 fish tanks, and 2 big turtles. The funny thing is, once you get to know them, you wouldn't trade any of them for any sane, perfect poop and seed-less life in the world.

[Eliza]

I know that I am over-thinking this, worrying over nothing...

I know that I have the love in my heart for another bird (or three or four), be it another lovie (Dani -- photos of Haku ARE NOT HELPING :lol) or another species altogether. I've also thought about poicephalus parrots (Meyers fast becoming my favorites although I'm very fond of Senegals and red-bellieds, both of which Beetle's breeder raises, too), pionus parrots and perhaps my most favorite (other than the lovebird): the lineolated parakeet. I have the space necessary for quarantine and if Beetle absolutely could not tolerate a bird in HIS room, I have a spare room or two that would certainly be suitable for housing a bird w/o worrying about any sort of neglect.

With that said, I can't help but worry... Worry about what, I don't know. I don't have plans to house Beetle with another lovebird (peach-faced or otherwise but hey, if it worked out that he wanted to live w/ a masked buddy, for example, fine by me). I'm not particularly worried about veterinary bills, even ER care, b/c quite frankly, I've been through it before w/ rabbits, ferrets and hedgehogs. At worst it means putting a vacation on hold (or at least that's been my experience in the past). I know that sounds flip but that isn't my intent.

However, we haven't been busy at work recently which now has me concerned. The bosses addressed this issue (after my initial post) and it doesn't appear to be one of those "feast or famine" situations: it's apparently a nation-wide trend in the industry. They certainly didn't point to individuals on staff and say: "you, you and you: get your resumes ready and we'll send you off with a nice letter of recommendation" but that thought still is in the back of ALL of my co-workers' minds.

In any case (sorry for my rambling, venting, etc. -- however, we're all critter people here and if you don't have critter-friends to chat to about these things, it all tends to build up, you know?), I am beginning to feel that if I am devoting a few hours of my day (I've filled up a paper journal about this -- can you imagine?) to questioning should I/shouldn't I in regards to one small lovebird than the answer may very well be simple: I should not... at this time. That doesn't mean that I can never again entertain the idea of bringing another small parrot into the home... it just means that perhaps now isn't the best time for me. And if it isn't the best time for me, it's not the best time for the bird in question.

Again: I thank you all for listening, sharing your stories and offering your support. I appreciate it greatly... and I appreciate all of you. Lovebirdsplus is truly a bright spot on the web :)

-e-

[Janie]

E, I think that the decision you make (having really, really, really thought this through) is the right one for you now. :) There are so many things to think about when adding a pet.....time, money, space.....and it's obvious that if and when you do it, the timing will be just right! :)

[mjm8321]

Eliza, one thing I can say is that there are no shortage of lovies around and the good words you have spoken about your breeder, I'm sure they will have more sweet babies in the future. Do what you need for yourself first and if the possibility of looking for a new job might be imminent, give it some time. Just my :2cents:

[dani]

One look into those sweet faces makes up for everything lost.
I couldn't agree with that statement more. It sums up everything I feel about my birds, and about what's important in life, and about just being the person you're meant to be. This vacation I am taking up a 2 month teaching job just to pay for Ammy's big new cage :x but the thing is, I don't mind. My fids give me the deepest, most real sense of responsibility and selflessness I've ever had. You just somehow find a way to manage, and never to regret. I guess God takes care of you in exchange for you taking care of his wee ones.

[michael]

Heather. I can relate perfectly to what your saying. Part of my business is liquidating unwanted junk and belongings that are left behind when we gut old buildings and homes. I run most of it through auctions and the best goes to other business acquaintances for sale in their shops. Some is donated as well. A lot of poeple ask why I don't keep some of the items, get nicer furniture or clothing ( I buy almost everything from goodwill stores) and I just tell them I have more than I need already. Frankly, i'm not very materialistic. I grew up living off the tree lawn, besides mowing them, amongst the homeless, who at times made excellent surrogate parents. Mom used drugs and alcohol, and pops was a heavy drinker, both died at early ages. This sounds bad, but really life was great in that I/we learned to pull resources from just about anywhere. Had lots of fun doing it too! I feel very fortunate that if necessary, I could be happy with just a Goofy bird. I give no thought to material things I already own whenever we're together, unless of course he enjoys it along with me, like this computer he's all but destroyed. Of course I did splurge on a couple dream catchers, a commercial mower for business use, and exhaust for our junky truck, darned vehicles anyways, they always seem to know when you have a little extra. I do realize though, we need our cars to get to a job, to the vet, money to pay the vet, so on and so forth. Maybe if i'm lucky, except for what I put aside for my daughter and wife, nothing material or monetary will be left for anybody to fight over. I do seem to have a lot of materialistic friends and family left yet. I'd hate to see them get a little hungry (psychologically) by not getting their fair share........Goofy and Michael

[Janie]

Michael, I like your attitude! :) It is the truth, the older I get the less I want but when it comes to my pets, I want them to have as much as possible and especially my time and attention.

[Eliza]

It is the truth, the older I get the less I want but when it comes to my pets, I want them to have as much as possible and especially my time and attention.

Agreed :)

I generally don't spend a lot on myself. I don't buy nearly as many sundry things as I used to and unlike most of my female friends, I HATE to shop :lol The only thing that I am not willing to cut out entirely is the possibility of travel. I didn't travel in my late teens and during my twenties, like most of my friends and family have done. I'm trying to make up for lost time now... or near enough, anyway ;)

With that said, I'm having a difficult time letting go of the idea of bringing another lovebird into the house. Honest to goodness -- I think that I have lost sleep over these wee masked babies! I still want one :( I've got the space, I've got the time... I'm just not sure what the right decision is anymore.

-e-

[michael]

Eliza...having such latitude when I was young made traveling a necessity for survival so to speak. From my aunts farm in P.A. to gramma's orange tree farm in california, everything in between was a blur. So many wonderful poeple and places. So much we can do. I'll always want to travel. Most likely me and my wife would be back on the road if it wasn't for our daughter being close by. And Goofy of course. Nothing beats a 1000 mile trip in a beat up old pickup truck. We've left a few of those across the U.S. when they've broke down, took a bus or hitchiked back home and went and picked up another 200 dollar beater. We do go to some two and three day events, and if the weather's just right Goofy can come right along with us. Right now though, because of his health, and quite frankly my wife really doesn't like to leave the house any more, I feel unusually content puttsin' around the house and yard, not having to refill my gas tank, change a flat tire, or put up with everyone showing me their IQ because I drive too slow. Kinda nice.....Michael and Goofy