My name is Maura. I am happily married, have 3 daughters & 4 grandsons - currently 2 daughters, 1 fiancé & 2 grandsons live with my husband, Keith, and I.
Besides 3 dogs (2 Miniature Schnauzers & a Cocker Spaniel) we now have 2 Sun Conures. I have been away from birds for quite a few years and have been yearning for another after the tragic loss of one of my birds. I used to have an Umbrella Cockatoo
named Claire, she LOVED me - but HATED everyone else. My husband put up with her because I loved her so much, but put his foot down when she took my entire bottom lip off. Yep. Now, this was entirely my fault - you can never blame the animal (or bird). We had a "kiss me goodnight" ritual. She gave me kisses goodnight - every night. She was always good and I counted on that behavior. Except this one day in Spring. After she laid an egg. I KNEW not to do it. But I did. I put her to bed, locked her cage & started covering it. When I got to the end I stuck my face to the cage to kiss her goodnight. She was as shocked as I was. She grabbed my bottom lip and yanked. My instinct was to pull away, but I remember good advice - push into the bird, it knocks them off of their balance & will usually let go. So I pushed. She let go and as I screamed/cried/bled she kept saying over and over - Claire loves Mommy...Claire loves mommy. And she did. She didn't know what happened. It took everything in me to stop screaming, hide the blood and calm HER down to put her to bed. She did, reluctantly all the while murmuring Claire loves Mommy. I went to the ER and had my lip sewn back on while the hubby lectured me. He was right, she wasn't a fit for our family. But IT WASN'T HER FAULT. I agreed to find a new home for her as long as he agreed to stop blaming her. I guess if you aren't a bird person, you just don't understand. I found Claire a PERFECT home & I have seen her a few times and get pictures. She is doing great. Now, before Claire came into my life I had a White Fronted Spectacled Amazon
, Kiwi. Oh how I loved Kiwi. She was a perfect fit in our home. While she loved me, she politely tolerated everyone else. But she wouldn't chase or bite like Claire did. I got Kiwi from a breeder as a baby. A few days after we brought her home I was concerned. Her poop was neon green! I had an appointment scheduled with my vet anyway as a first time physical, so I brought some poop along with me. As soon as she saw it she KNEW it was Psittacosis. So we tested and Yes, it was. So, she was quarantined and nursed back to health. We notified the breeder, who denied it, so we called the Health Department and subsequently the breeder was shut down due to rampant Psittacosis. I was warned by the vet that this may have an effect on Kiwi, although little was really known on the long term effects. I had 2 VERY good years with Kiwi. She seemed completely ok. She was playing and dancing with me. She was whistling and singing. Oh, what a day that was. Until she made a loud noise I had never heard before and literally fell to the ground. I scooped her up and we made eye contact (I'm tearing up as I write this) and made a few whistles - the ones we did at night to say gnite & I love you - and she just collapsed. I KNEW she was gone, but I rushed to the vet anyway. My heart was forever broken. She's buried in her favorite sun spot. I miss her so.
Flash forward to January 2013 (5 years later) and I am diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I am in remission now, thankfully. But, it was a VERY HARD year for me. I have had 6 surgeries in 11 months, 6 months of chemo therapy and 8 months of drains. My prognosis is excellent, but I still have at least 2 more surgeries to go. I was working fulltime, and did go back to work, but while I was out on an accommodation they fired me.....class act that place. I worked for a hospital that solely dealt with disabilities.
So - all these years I have yearned for another winged friend. My family knows this and it never felt like the right time. Then one day I was on facebook, it is a page for my local county & people post things they are selling. The rule is no pets, but a pic popped up of 2 Sun Conures. I immediately messaged her to tell her she would probably get in trouble. She messaged me back - PLEASE take them..They are driving me nuts. I will sell them to you for $50. I agonized over it. But ultimately said no. I didn't even mention it to my family. Well, they ALL must be a part of that page because one by one they texted me to tell me about these birds! I told them I said no and they were flabbergasted. Over the next few days I was kicking myself for not taking them. She was selling them for $50 which meant someone who didn't realize what a commitment it was could buy them....I mean anyone with enough money can buy a bird, but you usually don't plop down hundreds or thousands on a passing fancy.
The next day my daughter told me to go on craigslist, she was pretty sure the birds were now being sold for a PROFIT there. I contacted the person, and yes, it was for a profit. She wanted $1000 for them! I told her that I was originally going to take them from the lady on fb and the woman says.....are you ready? Oh THANK GOD, PLEASE TAKE THEM THEY WON'T SHUT UP. I'll take $100. I spoke to my family & they all agreed that it was my turn to have what I wanted, after years of sacrificing for them. Needless to say, I bought them
It was easy to see why they wouldn't shut up. They were both in a cage fit for a finch with one perch. My heart broke. We immediately bought them a much larger cage and some toys and food (they were eating cockatiel food????)...well, while they are still Suns they have calmed down immensely!
So that's my story. I have had these guys for about 3 weeks. I am happy beyond belief, I think they are much happier too! We are still learning about each other - but they are willing & eager to learn.
I can't wait to jump in to the forums!!!
Maura
