I have decided to quit.....

[Sierra2012]

For the time being after having tom tom die in my arms due to idiots mistreATing him and not taking care of him properly I have alot to think about when it comes to doing rescues....Im tired of seeing these poor creatrures come home to me all messed up and if I cant fix the damage than I have to either watch them die or make the choice to put them down and Im fricken sick of it......
I have 3 foster dogs still at this moment and those I will find homes for some day and on the 4th Im picking up a M2 that is healthy and well taken care of just was left behind with the parents when the teenager went to collage so Im fine with takeing him in and thats it for me I am keeping the m2 too Im not adoppting him out Im keeping him in memory of tom tom and thats that....I know theres animals out there that need me but I just cant do it I cant watch these inosent creatures come to me after being abused or unfed ect. I wish I knew how to put up pictures I would post all my animals hell I might even keep the fosters I treAT them as my own anyways.

I just hurt so bad right now I feel like giving up

[marie83]

I get the hurt but don't give up completely, try having just have a little break first.

The world needs people like you, these animals need people like you. Surely if the only thing that can be done is having the animal put to sleep, then that is the right thing to do. It is a much better alternative (no matter how much it upsets us) than the animal suffering for god only knows how long until death comes naturally.
I wish I had the chance to do what you are doing, yes it would upset me massively but there is alot of good out of doing that sort of thing. If the only thing you can give the animal is the peaceful end it deserves then that is better than nothing. I bet there are lots of success stories too though, making the heartbreak a bit more worthwhile.

[Sierra2012]

I get the hurt but don't give up completely, try having just have a little break first.

The world needs people like you, these animals need people like you. Surely if the only thing that can be done is having the animal put to sleep, then that is the right thing to do. It is a much better alternative (no matter how much it upsets us) than the animal suffering for god only knows how long until death comes naturally.
I wish I had the chance to do what you are doing, yes it would upset me massively but there is alot of good out of doing that sort of thing. If the only thing you can give the animal is the peaceful end it deserves then that is better than nothing. I bet there are lots of success stories too though, making the heartbreak a bit more worthwhile.

this one just hit me hard II dont know if I could ever go thru thiis again....I hurt so bad inside I have cryed my eyes out for 2 days nothiing is working I cant seem to get his little face out of my head

[merlie]

Shelly ..

I mean no disrespect to you .. so take this as just concern and advise ..

I think you really need to reevaluate whether you're ready to deal with parrots in your life. They're not like the dogs you're used to rescuing .. parrots are an entirely different ball game. You're still new to bird ownership, so .. thinking about doing any type of rescue work with them may not be the right thing to think about at this juncture of your life.

I think you need to make a lot of adjustments to your home for Sierra alone .. never mind additional birds. Some issues like:

Getting Sierra an appropriate cage .. I know you posted one that you were getting .. focus on getting it .. and filling it with quality perches, toys and other enriching activities. Toos need to be occupied .. they need to be able to chew, to forage .. to play. Sierra needs to be fully and completely outfitted with decent living environment first and foremost.

Getting Sierra a safe play gym, or play area. Places for her to hang out and climb and be active away and outside of her cage. Big boings .. hanging gyms .. etc.

Work on learning about quality diets .. fresh foods .. birdie bread .. sprouts .. etc.

Making sure that the cookware you use is bird safe .. NO TEFLON.

Making sure the cleaning supplies you use are bird safe.

Reconsider smoking in your home. Cigarette smoking is so, so deadly to birds. This is a big one .. and something your really need to focus on. I'm not saying you should quit smoking, that's not my place, however, if you're going to keep birds, smoking inside the house .. anywhere in the house .. is a huge no-no when keeping birds. <Sorry to bring this up, but I couldn't help but notice ashtrays in your home with ciggie butts in them>.

I could go on and on. I know when I started keeping birds, I had to make a ton of adjustments to my home .. no fragrance sprays, no candles, no harsh cleaning chemicals, no scented "plug-in" things, got all bird safe cookware. It was important to me to make sure I was doing everything I could to make my home as birds safe as I could.

Again, I would just take about a dozen steps back right now, regroup and focus on getting Sierra everything she needs, get used to her for a while, let things settle and make very sure you truly are interested in keeping parrots. Sometimes, we get caught up in the moment then realize we're not cut out for something. Before you jump into the deep end of the pool .. try wading around in the shallow end .. baby steps.

Good luck.

[Sierra2012]

Shelly ..

I mean no disrespect to you .. so take this as just concern and advise ..

I think you really need to reevaluate whether you're ready to deal with parrots in your life. They're not like the dogs you're used to rescuing .. parrots are an entirely different ball game. You're still new to bird ownership, so .. thinking about doing any type of rescue work with them may not be the right thing to think about at this juncture of your life.

I think you need to make a lot of adjustments to your home for Sierra alone .. never mind additional birds. Some issues like:

Getting Sierra an appropriate cage .. I know you posted one that you were getting .. focus on getting it .. and filling it with quality perches, toys and other enriching activities. Toos need to be occupied .. they need to be able to chew, to forage .. to play. Sierra needs to be fully and completely outfitted with decent living environment first and foremost.

Getting Sierra a safe play gym, or play area. Places for her to hang out and climb and be active away and outside of her cage. Big boings .. hanging gyms .. etc.

Work on learning about quality diets .. fresh foods .. birdie bread .. sprouts .. etc.

Making sure that the cookware you use is bird safe .. NO TEFLON.

Making sure the cleaning supplies you use are bird safe.

Reconsider smoking in your home. Cigarette smoking is so, so deadly to birds. This is a big one .. and something your really need to focus on. I'm not saying you should quit smoking, that's not my place, however, if you're going to keep birds, smoking inside the house .. anywhere in the house .. is a huge no-no when keeping birds. <Sorry to bring this up, but I couldn't help but notice ashtrays in your home with ciggie butts in them>.

I could go on and on. I know when I started keeping birds, I had to make a ton of adjustments to my home .. no fragrance sprays, no candles, no harsh cleaning chemicals, no scented "plug-in" things, got all bird safe cookware. It was important to me to make sure I was doing everything I could to make my home as birds safe as I could.

Again, I would just take about a dozen steps back right now, regroup and focus on getting Sierra everything she needs, get used to her for a while, let things settle and make very sure you truly are interested in keeping parrots. Sometimes, we get caught up in the moment then realize we're not cut out for something. Before you jump into the deep end of the pool .. try wading around in the shallow end .. baby steps.

Good luck.

Sierra has a proper cage II just paid 500 dollars for it and play gyms and stands she has organic pellets she has everything she needs I didnt do anything wrong for this bird to die the people who had her just neglected him so badly there was no saving him....he died at the vets in my arms annd Im just hurt by his death

[leomacaw]

Death is always the biggest enemy of pet owners.
I felt the same when I birdies left me.
Anyway, if you have tried the best for them,
then that's it.
If it's gone, let it go,
and take good care of what you have.

[Grey_Moon]

I honestly think that in rescuing Sierra you have done your part.

We all have to know when to say no and to protect ourselves and those who depend on us.
We need to know how to drown out the cries of many to save the few that we can, instead of getting bogged down and trying to save them all---because you never will and in trying to do it you'll fail to save anyone and you'll destroy yourself in the process.

Surely you know how much 'toos suffer in captivity, and in a way Tom Tom's death was a release and freedom you could never give him. He's back now flying in the forest and will never be in another cage.

I wish that I could save them all too, but what disservice would I be doing to Jacko in doing so?
I could open my heart and my wallet if I tried really hard, and I could 'save' quite a few birds.
But that would be the greatest insult to Jacko and it would be unfair and in violation of my vow to give her everything and to give her the greatest amount of love and dedication that I can.
She comes first and I enjoy the peaceful life of cuddles and routine and she soaks up being the only child.

I could have everyone on attention schedules and feed less quality food and....
but realistically---if its not the best that I can do, if its not healing and showing them how to soar, just taking them out of hell but leaving them in a 'good enough' purgatory----am I really 'saving' them?

You also have to consider how your finances, situation, health and spirit will be holding up in the next 60 years. Can you do multiple toos then? I think people underestimate how long 60 years is when they take in one of these beautiful little souls.

Personally, I think you're making a mistake taking in another M2 just because Tom Tom died.
Its not fair to Sierra, and not fair to the M2 who's really is going to need someone to be his and his alone.
If you want to honour Tom Tom get active in the community, fight breeders and neglect. Educate.

That's my opinion anyway.

[Sierra2012]

I honestly think that in rescuing Sierra you have done your part.

We all have to know when to say no and to protect ourselves and those who depend on us.
We need to know how to drown out the cries of many to save the few that we can, instead of getting bogged down and trying to save them all---because you never will and in trying to do it you'll fail to save anyone and you'll destroy yourself in the process.

Surely you know how much 'toos suffer in captivity, and in a way Tom Tom's death was a release and freedom you could never give him. He's back now flying in the forest and will never be in another cage.

I wish that I could save them all too, but what disservice would I be doing to Jacko in doing so?
I could open my heart and my wallet if I tried really hard, and I could 'save' quite a few birds.
But that would be the greatest insult to Jacko and it would be unfair and in violation of my vow to give her everything and to give her the greatest amount of love and dedication that I can.
She comes first and I enjoy the peaceful life of cuddles and routine and she soaks up being the only child.

I could have everyone on attention schedules and feed less quality food and....
but realistically---if its not the best that I can do, if its not healing and showing them how to soar, just taking them out of hell but leaving them in a 'good enough' purgatory----am I really 'saving' them?

You also have to consider how your finances, situation, health and spirit will be holding up in the next 60 years. Can you do multiple toos then? I think people underestimate how long 60 years is when they take in one of these beautiful little souls.

Personally, I think you're making a mistake taking in another M2 just because Tom Tom died.
Its not fair to Sierra, and not fair to the M2 who's really is going to need someone to be his and his alone.
If you want to honour Tom Tom get active in the community, fight breeders and neglect. Educate.

That's my opinion anyway.

sIERRA GETS BOTH CAGES i PUT THEM SIDE BY SIDE AND SHE PLAYS WIITH HE TOYS IN BOTH NOW AT LEAST i DONT HAVE TO LOOK AT AN EMPTY CAGE

[TextsWithParrots]

Oh wow! Two cages for her? I'd be careful with her going into the new cockatoo's cage. She might decide it's her territory and that could cause fights in the future when the new bird moves in next month!

[ishael]

I don't think this post should be used as an opportunity to tell Shelly what she is doing wrong or to throw opinions at her... Honestly she is in a tough spot at the moment and it will help nothing.

My advice to you would be to grieve. Grieve in peace, cry, do what you need to do to get through this tough time. But I would advise you to not make a decision in a moment of weakness and at a time so filled with emotion. Emotions really hurt logical and in the end beneficial decision-making and once the 'smoke' has cleared, will leave you regretting you made the decision. I'm not saying you should stop rescuing animals, and I'm not saying you should keep doing it, but take the time to make a decision as life-based as that and try not to rush into it. Take a break from it and consider the animals you have helped and the ones you tried your hardest to help. If, when you are feeling back to normal again, you still feel that rescuing is not something you want to get into again, then don't.

I wish you the best.