pionus or GCC?

[marie83]

Renting- it was all good whilst I was living with my parents. I knew some places didn't allow pets but I didn't realise how many didn't. As far as I was concerned the local authorities allowed pets so I could fall back on their housing if needed, that was all well and good when I left home at 16 but 13 years later even they are starting to bring in no pets rules bit by bit.

Wait when they say "no pets" I thought they were referring to cats and dogs?

Yes usually it is cats and dogs but more and more places are tightening the rules to include other pets. Ridiculous really. Some that say no pets will allow you at their discretion, for a higher bond, for paying for a proffesional clean when the let finishes so its always worth asking. All I know in the last 13 years the rental housing market has completely changed.

I do think some private rents will always allow pets but there are alot more people fighting over fewer properties unfortunately. Dont forget I'm in the UK so the same may not be true in other countries, what I am trying to say is don't expect things to always be the same........

[Nir]

damn marie, you left home at 16?

[marie83]

Yup, but I did go back for a bit until I moved in with my boyfriend. I kinda wish I hadn't now though because I wasted a ton of money renting when I could have been saving for a deposit for a house. Don't get me wrong it was a good experience and it taught me alot but I would be in a much better position now if I hadn't been in such a rush to be independant.

[pionus]

thanks marie. i am aware that this will be a long term commitment, and frankly i don't plan to go to university. and i really don't mind giving up things like holidays and going out with friends, because honestly, i prefer to be either alone or with an animal. i don't think that will change.
i will definitely do what you said and think up every possible thing that can go wrong, and try to find a solution.
it is very touching how much you care for the birds. i commend you for letting people be aware of the responsibilities that come with caring for a bird that in some cases could outlive ourselves.
i will do every thing in my capabilities to make sure, whenever i get my bird, that it will be well taken care of. and if waiting until i graduate, or move out, or anything like that, to get it, then that is what I'll do. i won't bring a bird into the situation until i am sure that i can take care of it for the long run.

i really appreciate all of your advice, from everyone!

You dont plan to go to college?This is a much bigger issue. College years are going to be the best years of your life. Why would you not want to go? Nevermind the benefits of a good job , finding yourself and what you want to be, making friends that will most likely be your friends for the rest of your life. WHY are you not going to go to college? Sounds like your giving up on life and settling....

or are you saying that you arent gong to go away to college and instead stay home and go to local college? In that case disregard my post!

but regardless you need to focus on socializing.. I know you prefer to be alone but in reality thats your fear talking not yourself. When you grow up, you will realize that networking, meeting people, and making friends is a GREAT thing not only for yourself but also for work purposes. Since your young, i really hope you try to get out of your shell and be more open to meeting and socializing more. friends are a great thing and should be MORE important for you right now then getting a bird.

i also really disagree with the idea of being home schooled for this reason. It doesnt allow you to grow.

i know you are only trying to help, but i do disagree with most of what you said there. i do agree that when i am older it would be nice to know people job wise.
but i think that the first part of your post was a little out of context. right now, i don't plan on going to regular college because i would much rather go to a school where i can learn and study avions, and eventually qualify to work with them. i also disagree with you that the reason i don't like being around people is because of some kind of fear. i just simply don't like them. and the reason i started homeschooling was so i could learn at my own pace. i do not think that in any way it is stunting my "growth".
and as for making friends in college, if my bird is around, it will be my friend. and i already have a friend who is as weird as i am. she is my best and only friend, and i wouldn't want it any other way.

why is making friends more important than getting a bird? keep in mind, i am not getting a bird until i have been around them for a while. and like i said before, i would have the bird as a friend, which sounds great compared to being around a bunch of people that IRK me in many ways.
and in NO way am i giving up on life. what does that even mean? clearly in your mind "life" means socializing, but not for me.

think about things like that before you go on a rant about going to collage and making friends and how my choice of schooling is making it unable for me to "grow".

P.S. i don't want to turn this topic into an argument, i just do not agree with you in what you said. and i apologize for my rant!

[Eurycerus]

You dont plan to go to college?This is a much bigger issue. College years are going to be the best years of your life. Why would you not want to go? Nevermind the benefits of a good job , finding yourself and what you want to be, making friends that will most likely be your friends for the rest of your life. WHY are you not going to go to college? Sounds like your giving up on life and settling....

This is off topic: Okay number one college was horrible and I am glad to be rid of it. I was even good at it! That is a crock that "college is the best years of your life". I hated it when people said it before I went to college and I hate it now. Also college is not the end all be all. I do have a great job because of it but trade schools and other skilled labor is equally important and faster to achieve! My boyfriend talks all the time about the trade schools he thought about and that he would be earning a hundred grand a year if he had taken up being a professional scuba diver for oil rigs, or a helicopter pilot. So don't knock other options other than college!

However, socialization is important. :] You should join a local wildlife rescue, bird of prey rescue, or parrot rescue and meet other awesome people and do something good too! That will give you good experience and you will meet people in a work type setting. I'm a pretty reserved person and don't socialize a ton, nor have 100s of friends, but I have a few great ones and my family is my rock. Good luck! and explore your many options. Also don't expect your life and feelings to always be the same. The teenage years are rough. I certainly remember it well. I was continually depressed which I didn't even realize until it went away.

[Nir]

i didnt mean to offend you. All i meant was that college opens many doors in different ways wether it be finding new interests or meeting people that share your interest, job wise, relationship wise and basically gives you many different outlooks which helps you develop as a person. Its not just about socializing.

also god for bid, what if the avian thing your pursuing doesnt work out? What are your backup plans? I wanted to be a gambler and pursued it and then thank god that it worked out for me. I did become a successful gambler but then it became hard to gamble with the laws so i needed a backup plan and i started teaching myself trading which is also gambling. And thank god that has worked out as well for now at least. But i am also aware that its risky and it might not workout later so i am finishing up my last class right now to graduate.

Do what you love but just have a back up plan in case things arent going your way (with the current state of the economy, the possibilities are there ). I think you should really consider having college and a degree that will be easy to find a job with as a back up plan. You seem young so this is just my experiences i am throwing out there. And trust me... i am a weirdo myself.(how many professional gamblers you know? lol). So i definitely know what it means to reach for your goals no matter what others think. But just have a SOLID back up plan.

[Nir]

However, socialization is important. :] You should join a local wildlife rescue, bird of prey rescue, or parrot rescue and meet other awesome people and do something good too! That will give you good experience and you will meet people in a work type setting. I'm a pretty reserved person and don't socialize a ton, nor have 100s of friends, but I have a few great ones and my family is my rock. Good luck! and explore your many options. Also don't expect your life and feelings to always be the same. The teenage years are rough. I certainly remember it well. I was continually depressed which I didn't even realize until it went away.

This is what i mean. socializing will help you meet many people who you have similar interests with. I was the quietest unsocial person all throughout my life. Its in college that i found my real interests and just learned a whole lot about myself that i never would have if i didnt go to college. And by college i just mean a higher education and a degree that will help to find jobs easily. I think having a back up plan is always important. Dont put all your eggs in 1 basket.

Also the reason everyone says that college is the best time of your life is because often it IS. Doesnt mean it is for everyone. And like you said, you do have a good job because of it so i am sure you dont regret college.

ps: sorry to go off topic. In terms of which bird to pick, it depends on what you want. If you want more cuddly/affectionate go for the gcc. If you can handle the bigger size of pionus, i heard they are very sweet birds but might not like to be cudled with as much as gcc. I dont own either birds but this is what i read. I was also considering buying a GCC but for now i am holding everything off because i am scared for my budgies well being if i bring in another bird to the mix. (i was deciding between a Senegal or a GCC.

[pionus]

thanks eurycerus.

and nir, i know you meant nothing bad and were only trying to help. no-matter my rant, i really do appreciate your caring. i was unaware that when you talked about socializing and the like you meant with people who share my interest in parrots.

and eurycerus, i am aware that my interests may change, but that doesn't seem likely as far as i can tell. and yes, i am still young. but since i plan on being around parrots for a while before i do anything like purchasing, i will have plenty of time to get everything aligned.

and yes, collage might be nice in the way that it can broaden my horizons carrier wise, and maybe give me the chance to meet others with my interests. i am not totally ruling it out. i am just telling you what my thoughts are now.

thanks to everyone! i think my choice for a companion parrot will be a pionus. i really appreciate everything!

[Eurycerus]

and eurycerus, i am aware that my interests may change, but that doesn't seem likely as far as i can tell. and yes, i am still young. but since i plan on being around parrots for a while before i do anything like purchasing, i will have plenty of time to get everything aligned.

Oh I was referring to emotional wellbeing and ideas on life and relationships with people, not parrots! My interest in critters has hardly waned, maybe gotten stronger because I know i can take care of them now. However, my career choices have definitely changed, because I want to be financially secure and can't just follow my dreams hehe...

Also pionus sound amazing. At least in California no one seems to breed them and they are practically non-existent as pets which is disappointing.

Definitely keep hanging around. When you get a parrot you'd be surprised at the obstacles that arise.

[Nir]

once you love birds or pets of any kind, you will ALWAYS love them in my opinion. It never really goes away so dont worry about that.