Second thoughts - yet will follow through regardless !

[shock&awe92]

I've been doing alot of research on Senegal parrots and i don't know what or who to believe as far as information on Senegal, I'm going to purchase this bird but not without more advice from those of you who have been around a while, I'm a disabled veteran and i don't work so I will be able to dedicate my time to the bird daily, as i said in a previous post, i have 2 cats and a dog who is blind they will be detained when the bird Is out of its cage during free flight, I refuse to be discouraged by others who think they have all the answers, personally I think you have to start somewhere regardless if a Senegal is not a recommended firs bird, I'll deal with what I have to, to make it work, I came here tonight for some help / advice I would greatly appreciate such request, by the way my wife and i have no kids and have no plans on having any, we own our own home,thank you in advance....

[Michael]

You can't make this kind of stuff up:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8913

You really want to have these kinds of problems/regrets down the line because you refused to listen to advice from experienced people now? (No offense Eurycerus, just the most recent example that comes to mind but this is sooo typical of what Senegal Parrot owners go through).


PS, just came across another one:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8923

You'd be a fool to just overlook everything what is being said and presented to you with a "will follow through regardless" attitude. You should not get a Senegal unless you want to and can balance their pros/cons, will provide a safe environment, and are certain of your commitment regardless how the bird turns out. Point is these "easy" birds are a lot harder than people expect and for many is too much. Consider it now while it won't harm anything not to get one and not when you already have the bird and it's too late.

[shock&awe92]

First of all I didn't mean it literally as far" regardless " I was only making a hypothetical, I will of course be giving this bird a safe environment, that will be my intention from the outset , I'm not disregarding what others are talking about when it comes to advice about the Senegal, I'm committed to taking care of the bird no matter what, I'm in this for the long haul.Please don't act like I don't have what it takes because remember you were a first time bird owner at one time in your life too, lets not forget that OK.

[pennyandrocky]

yes we are all first time bird owners once.but i'm not sureyou have what it takes to make a commitment like this because you are already selfishly disrupting the lives of the pets you already have by "detaining" them so you can have what you want. any bird you get will not tolerate you putting what you want over them.if this bird does not live up to your fantasies will it be detained later on or given up to a shelter?i have 2 birds 1 dog and 1 cat and no one is locked away ever.when i have penny on my shoulder and on my lap my dog is at my feet.

[shock&awe92]

I also never said I would not introduce my other pets to my bird either , I wouldn't call me selfish , you don't even know me, I'll have you know my wife is a veterinarian technician (20 yrs )who knows all about pets, I take exception to your comment , I also understand where you're coming from but to label me as selfish is wrong,we are all entitled to our opinion apparently.

[shock&awe92]

Penny instead of calling me selfish why don't you give me some ideas or suggestions as to how I can introduce my cats and dog to my bird,isn't that what this forum is all about, helping others who are new , or maybe I have it all wrong....or I just might be misinformed.

[Michael]

Penny instead of calling me selfish why don't you give me some ideas or suggestions as to how I can introduce my cats and dog to my bird,isn't that what this forum is all about, helping others who are new , or maybe I have it all wrong....or I just might be misinformed.

I think the problem is that it is fundamentally unsafe to add a bird to cats/dogs (especially since you have been informed and are aware). The selfish thing is that you want the bird for you. It does nothing good for the other animals as it only gets them locked up or attention diverted away from. The point is that you'd be doing neither the bird nor cats/dogs a favor by combining them and most likely putting someone (bird) in danger. The most selfless thing you can do is to continue taking care of the animals you currently have and not consider a bird until the existing obligations naturally come to a close. Please understand that people are telling you this out of concern for animals (both cats/dogs and parrots) and not just to be mean. The advice you are getting is genuine and helpful and I hope you will give it strong consideration.

[Polarn]

Both my sister and my mom has dogs and we all live pretty close. And 2/4 dogs lack the instinct for hunting etc and one of them I am doubtful about and the last one grabs any other animal she can get at except for one of the cats whom she cuddles with. Only the two first I mentioned I let into my place under supervision the hunter and the one I'm doubtful about isn't getting anywhere near my birds. I've seen what the huntress does to a dear when she gets one. And I've had to save a chicken from her once. However even if the ones I let in isn't allowed to pay attention to the birds and the birds are targeted higher up if they get too curiouse. But then I don't live 24/7 with the dogs present but if you have a dog that chases rats/cats or anything else I would be extremely cautious allowing them near each other, and certainly not unsupervised.
Anyways when I let the dogs in here I make no fuss about it, they walk in on the floor and the birds are on their playstands or trees. I've never actually presented the birds to the dogs since I've never seen a reason for them to build a bond, only for them to accept the other ones present. As for cats, they are unarguably less domesticated than dogs and therefor have some more instincts that is harder to get by. Saying this I would feel safer having a cat that's not outside at all(like an apartment cat) around my birds than having a cat like mines that spend their time catching rats outside and occationally a bird. Yes I have a couple of rescue cats and their the sweetest things ever, but their only allowed in the boiler room in the house but their home is in the stable. One of them I let into the living room during the nights them evenings I can hear her calling outside, but this is after the birdies bedtime and she gets to spend the evening in the couch with me watching TV. Think I'll have to make a meet the family thread soon with the members on the farm haha.

Anyways personally I don't really trust all animals to interact and not all of them in the same space. But then I only really keep my birds as indoor pets. It's hard to get a pony or quarter horse into the house

[shock&awe92]

I am taking it with a grain of salt and i understand completely how you want to help, I will eventually introduce my bird when i get it to my animals in my time, but to outright say that i don't have what it takes to raise a parrot is wrong, we all had to start somewhere, anyway I've done ALOT OF RESEARCH on the Senegal and i personally think its the right fit for me, and no I won't be putting it in a shelter if it doesn't work out in my " fantasy" ...I find it amazing how those of you can label others with your opinion like you're a know it all, yet who am I ,I'm just a newbie right, just saying !

[pennyandrocky]

you can have dogs and cats live together as i've done for almost 20 years.sorry if i sounded harsh but i don't like to hear that pets that are used to living a certain way changed just because their people want somthing new.if you asked how i could tell you i think it's a bad idea to totally seperate them and lock up the others.if they want to get to your bird they will find a way especially the cats who can be sneaky.i'll tell you how i got penny my cousin had 2 s kudder was first and she got penny as a companion for him both were clipped and they have 2 spanials(dogs bred for hunting birds).one day penny and kudder were playing and kudder fell off the playstand he was immediatly ripped apart by these 2 dogs who were never aloud to be around the birds but they got their 1 chance and took it. my cousin called me crying and asking me to take penny since she couldn't stand to look at him anymore.i let my dog and cat around the birds and it's just always worked they don't really have much interest in the birds aside from the dog laying under the cage at mealtime cause the birds always share with her,which could be the reason she doesn't attack them even though they have tormented her by landing on her back or trying to chew her tail while she' napping.the cat is not interested at all unless she's behind one she likes to touch their tailfeathers but when they turn around she backs off.just introduce them carefully while holding the bird let the dog or cats smell them and know that they are now a part of your family.another thing to be aware of is cat and dog saliva is toxic so keep all toys,and food/drink dishes out of the bird area and make sure the bird is not clipped before you bring it home.