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Fern
Fern is my little green parrot (age 10) back home. Our wonderful next-door neighbor, B, has been looking after her the whole time we've been in Guatemala, going over each day to top up her food and water and talk to her. However, B's brother recently had complications following surgery, so she will be out of town for quite awhile and unable to continue caring for Fern. Right now two of our friends are rotating going over every couple days to feed her.
I feel terribly guilty about this, having been raised to believe that pets are for life; they are not disposed of when they become inconvenient. We have an obligation to our pets to provide the food, medicine, and attention they need.
However, I don't know that we have other options right now, and it's not a happy environment for a bird to be all alone in a house that much. She's next to a window, but that's not sufficient. Therefore I think I am going to have to place her with a group that finds new homes for previously owned birds.
Do any of you in blogland have any recommendations for bird rescue groups that operate in the southeast US? I'm going to be googling for information, but I wanted to see if anyone out there has personal experience with any avian rescue organizations. I would be willing to drive her several hundred miles if necessary.
Poor Fern :(
posted by erinberry @ 3:11 PM
9 Comments:
I don`t have any suggestions but good luck. I am sorry it has come to this.
I live in southeastern Ohio.Can I help in anyway...We have a Very Spoiled Quaker Parrot,2 Cockatiel,12 Parakeets,And about 7 Finch Birds.Mary In Ohio
My son Mac us interested in hearing more about Fern - he is a BIG time animal lover and wants to know what Fern is like and how you take care of her and what her needs are - can you email him at
jmtgostate@aol.com
thanks
Julia
I know there's petfinder.com
and your vet might have some resources, too.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this right now, too.
hugs to you.
Hey you!
I'm so sorry! It's often so hard on our animal friends under the best of circumstances when things get busy, or children enter our lives. She's been with you for 10 years so pls weigh what the loss will be for her to lose you permanently vs. partially altho I certainly realize you've been gone for awhile. GRHH.. this isnt fair. I have a Senegal parrot (cousin to the African Grey). He's 13 and my oldest animal and I love him so much but have often thought of re-homing him. However, for us and him, thusfar I just feel the little attention he gets here now, is better than completely uprooting him, because parrots are SUCH huge creatures of routine... try to redo the furniture and you're scewed :) (of course my looking to the future includes expecting there will be more time for attention soon). He hasnt been feather picking and while he's done some cage gnawing he's doing fairly well, given how much life has changed from the days pre-children and pre-kitties!
*If * you decide to try and hang on, have whomever (is your hubby home during the day when not with you.. yeah..sorry... I'm a poor blog reader.... insert embarrassed face here)... but radio, tv on during the day may provide for some funny parrot commentary when you return but is often very much appreciated by the parrot... A temporary home while you're gone (then re-eval how things are going once home) can also be a possibility....Parrots are often such one owner animals (NOT always tho, esp when there's a sense that it's temporary) so if you re-home her make sure it's with someone who really understands her needs and someone who will stick with it... It's hard....I often feel so bad about my guy and yet everytime I take him out of the cage (and long ago he was out many hours a day) he still falls over backwards into my arms to I can tickle his tummy and under his beak... He's very devoted and dedicated and why I try to hold on.. Thusfar he hasnt told me "it's time" to re-home.. I'm kind of waiting for that and hoping we can avoid.
Sorry, dont mean to be a downer in anyway.. I truly empathize with what you're going thru.. Are you in CA by chance? Dont think you are, vut if you were we could consider fostering your Fern til you return.. That would be ideal under any circumstance.. good luck and mostly I'm SOOOOO sorry you're faced with this and STILL there.. ugh.. beautiful country but so wish you had the choice in coming home!.... Take good care
Leigh
Hi Bodegalee - I get the feeling you're not a regular reader of the blog, because our situation is way beyond things being "busy" or "inconvenient".
*No one* is at our house, it's not just that no one's there during the day. My husband and I are both living in Guatemala, and Fern sits back at our silent house in the US by the window all day and all night. (It breaks my heart to even write that.) Up until a couple weeks ago, our neighbor went over to feed and talk to her every day , but now she is unable to continue doing that.
I know all about parrot attachment, their love of sameness, etc. Of COURSE I have weighed all of that into my decision. But she has only seen me a few times in over a year. A parrot being alone all that time is not healthy at all. It is not fair to her to be stuck in that room by herself for 23 hours and 45 minutes a day. I'm surprised she has not begun plucking out her feathers as so many neglected parrots do. And I have to face the fact that that is what the poor thing is: a neglected animal.
As a matter of fact, writing all this out has solidified my decision. For the good of Fern, she needs to go to a better place.
Hey Erin
I apologize! I certainly didnt mean to offend. I knew you were living in Guatemala but didnt realize your husband was full-time. In that case I agree with you. I absolutely realize (d) that your situation is beyond "busy, inconvenient" and apologize if my post sounded non-supportive. Sounds like some folks here might be able to help and know there are avian rescue orgs out there. Just sorry you're having to make yet more difficult decisions in this very long, frustrating journey to bring your daughter home. Take good care
Leigh
Bodegalee, that's ok. I am just feeling very sensitive about this topic and so guilty for the situation our bird is in.
Hi Erin. My sister lives in Southaven, MS, and I just emailed her to see if she and her husband would consider taking your bird until you return home. I can't make any promises about what her response will be, but she is an animal lover. I'll let you know what I hear from her.
Take care,
Mandy
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