Needing some help in Colorado

[birdbrain11]

Hello everyone, I'm new here to this site, came across it and figured it wouldn't hurt to ask yout guys for a little help and advice. I am the current owner of a 4 year old Dusky Pionus named Gizmo. I've had her since she was 7 months of age. (To be honest, I never got the blood test to see the gender, but the vets have been assuming she's a girl). Anyhow, this bird is my life, much of my schedule revolves around her. I've never locked her in her cage and she's always been free to come and go as she pleases. When I come home from work or school (community college), the first thing I do is greet her and take her with me into whatever room I go to. She's never been much of a fan of shoulders but she does just fine on my hand and if I'm sitting with homework, watching tv or playing video games she is on my stomach or head messing around and playing with whatever she can find, clothing, hair, blankets, etc. She's also loves the outdoors, and since she is clipped we go out a lot in the summer, loves to have baths in the sun (she prefers the spray bottle). Since I got her at a very young age it's been incredibly easy training her and I've never been bitten once in the 4 years I've owned her.

Gizmo's not the first bird I've owned either, I started with three parakeets when I was very young and they all lived to around 11 years of age. Before my parakeets passed away, I temporarily cared for a 12 year old Hahn's Macaw for 6 years. Now, Gizmo is the first parrot that has been 100% my bird and responsibility. It's just us two, partners in crime =D

The problem now is that we've just recently moved. I'm still living at home so when my mom moved in with her friend, I had to tag along. The living situation is a little complicated now and I have to keep Gizmo locked in my room because of the five dogs roaming the house. On top of this, I am leaving for school in August (2 months) and due to my inability to find roommates and an apartment in time, I am forced to dorm at the University. It's too far from home for me to be making a drive there and back every day. I've tried talking to the school to see if they could make an exception to allow me to bring my Gizmo to dorms, especially if I am dorming as a single (by myself, no roommate). Not surprising they refused and now I am left with trying to figure out what to do. My family is refusing to care for my bird for a semester or two while I find a good roommate and apartment. My mom is never really home and my little sister has never been reliable. Although my sister and father have both offered to care for her for a little bit, I don't trust my sister to spend as much time with Gizmo as I have been (she's still in highschool and is quite the socialite - out all the time) and my father and his girlfriend are chain smokers and their entire apartment building wreaks of cigarettes. I can't allow Gizmo to be exposed to those sort of fumes, their respiratory systems are just too sensitive.

My mom has suggested putting an ad online and try to sell her as she sees that the longer I wait to find her a new home, the stronger we will become attached to each other. I tried, but I couldn't finish putting up the ad without breaking down in tears. I've begged mom to care for her for just a semester, but since she is aware of my plans to temporarily go abroad for school, she refuses and insists I need to do what's best for the bird. I know she's right, but I've been on vacation and away from Gizmo for extended periods of time before but I've always found a temporary care giver for her and it has always worked out well. It's not like I'm moving to another country, just going abroad for a short period of time. Perhaps I am being selfish and refusing to let go of Gizmo, but I strongly feel that there is no one better for her than me. I am scared to find her a new home, everytime I try, I get cold feet and just thinking about her brings me to tears now. She's all I've had for the last 4 years and the idea of letting her go seems impossible.

I just don't know what to do anymore, I'm absolutely clueless, is there any advice or personal experience someone can offer? I just wish I knew what to do.

Sincerely,
The crazy bird lady


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbqHh9pDz2M

This is a video of her that I took. She's awesome.

[zazanomore]

That brought a tear to my eye.

What I suggest is looking for a boarding agency or vet's office. Try to make a deal for the first semester. During that semester, make friends, and try to find people to rent a place with.

Your in a tough spot, and I hope everything turns out alright.

[dusty]

if i lived closer i would board her for free...have you tried your close friends...don't give up, there must be a solution to your problem...good luck and be strong...maybe someone on here who lives close could help you out...

dusty

[birdbrain11]

It's good to know there are some people out there willing to help. I will continue to look for someone closer to home, perhaps even closer to my school so I can stop by to visit her. For reference to anyone else that come across this post, I'm currently living in Parker, Colorado and am going to University of Colorado at Boulder. It's just too far away to stay living at home for those who know the state. Parker and Boulder are practically at opposite ends of the state.

I didn't know that birds could be boarded at all, just thought horses and dogs or something. Hadn't crossed my mind so I will look into it regardless of whether or not mom thinks I'm making the wrong decision.

I don't have very many close friends. All disapeared after highschool and I've always enjoyed more time by myself than with groups. Probably why I get so attached to my birds, I'm home all the time. At least it works out to benifit the parrot. I have just started seeing someone and he will probably eventually offer to care for Gizmo but I really don't trust someone I've only known for a month and besides, he has a dog and lives with someone who has two dogs. He's also away at work all day and knows next to nothing about birds other than what he has learned from me in this short period of time.

[rebeccaturpeinen]

that is a really hard situation you are in.... but ya, dont give up yet!! call some vets around your school, it definitly cant hurt to try. if it hurts that much just to write the add, it probably is a wrong decision to sell her. she must love you very much too and it might hurt her just as much as it hurts you to be sold. she is only 4, still has a long life so you really just need to get through this school business and then you can be together again. 1 or 2 semesters seems rediculous in comparison to her hole life... being able to spend a life time with someone who really loves her and knows her should make up for those few semesters that make her a little sad by being at a boarding place.

hope im making any sense

[Lokums]

I agree with our poster from Denmark (Rebecca?), in that a year or maybe year and a half in the lifetime of a pionus is pretty short. You will have another 20 years at least with her, don't give her up yet. There are places that will board birds I am sure, although finding one that will do it for 6 months+ may a bit harder. But honestly, whatever you do, do not sell her, if you are as attached to her as you say, then selling her would be impossible and really not an option.

The Gabriel Foundation is a bird rescue place so they won't board your birdy, but they may know some boarding facilities that would do it long term. http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/ If not there are some large breeders that may help, like http://avalonaviary.com/

Once you get to college, there will be postings of people looking for roommates, at a college the size of boulder it is pretty easy to find a roommate, although finding one that will be happy to accept a bird as a roomie may be harder. Parker and Boulder are really only an hour away, depending on traffic, which isn't really that far at all.

Mike

[birdbrain11]

I am looking into the boarding, my vet has not contacted me yet about it. Crossing my fingers that I'll come across something/someone. As for where exactly I live in Parker, I'm out on the south east corner of it, closer to El Paso county than anything else. Just farm country out here. We're a 20 minute drive to I-25. Thank you for the links too, I have heard of Gabriel Foundation so I will check this out.

[Ariahna]

I am in Kansas and will send you a PM tomorrow. I will be glad to help if I can.

[Vicki5280]

Hey! I'm in Aurora, we're practically next-door to each other! I sent you a PM and have some ideas. Lets see if I can help!! I'll just bet I can!!

Don't worry sister, we'll get your little Gizmo taken care of, one way or another. I promise!!

[GlassOnion]

I'm so happy for this to work out!!!! Go Vicki!