Having a very hard day today

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I am so sorry that you had to give him up. I can feel the hurt in your words. I feel very sad for you. I can only imagine how hard it is to have to give him away and also live the military life. I know that the families make sacrifices as well as those who serve. Do know that we all appreciate that sacrifice. I wish that I could tell you words to comfort you. I really feel like you just need a good hug. So, here is a hug from Arkansas {{{hugs}}} and two little yorkie girls.

[spr377]

so sorry for your pain! you did a selfless thing for Echo!!

[Lucyana1129]

Thank you all for your support. It really helps. Last night I told my husband I just couldn't sleep upstairs. I sat in the living room after dinner dreading going to bed. I told him it was giving me anxiety. Bc I knew if I went up there that there would be a an empty space where his cage used to be. I know I sound crazy. I told him that as long as I was downstairs I could pretend he was still here. So, he slept down here on the couches with me. It was incredibly sweet of him and I am feeling better today. I'm just going to busy myself cleaning and with the babies to keep my mind off of it. Going to the dog park later with Bentley and Charlie. Thank you all so much. I know it will hurt for a while so I need to keep busy. I want to call to check on him but will wait a week or two when the pain is less fresh.

[MI Yorkielover]

I am sorry you are having a rough time right now. My husband was and one of our sons is in the Navy and they have web sites that you might look at and find you are not alone in your feelings and what people in your situation do to help cope. Just google the particular branch of service as I believe all military branches have this help available to you who serve at home, too.

[jrsygal37]

I'm sorry. I am going through a similiar situation with my Cockatoo Boo. As you know but many do not, parrots require a lot more attention, feeding etc. It's equivaltent to having a toddler for the rest of your life. I aquired Boo as a baby out of an egg and she is about six now. Having had her six years I'm now an advocate against parrots as domestic pets. For one they outlive us and two almost always circumstances in our lives change and that is when most are put in rescues (If they are lucky). For us, my sons are now older teens and I went back to work. I'm not home much at all anymore. What I did do was take a room and bird proof it and I leave Boo out all day with toys and fresh food and water. That however does not make up for the lack of attention. Parrots are very sociable and NEED human contact. They can be very demanding with their ear piercing screams as well as plucking when they don't get what they need. Their food habits are expensive as well as time consuming. It's not just seed. It's home cooking the variety they need as if they were in the wild. I too go through whether I should place her for adoption with rescue. I'm struggling with that now. One one hand I know she's safe with me and won't be abused but on the other hand I know she's not as happy as she could be. She's very lonely. It's different with our dogs, my husband is home all day with them and he plays with them, feeds them etc. and when I get in they sit on my lap and watch TV with me. He's afraid of the parrot. Not a lot of people can handle the size and beak and damage they can do. Which is the other issue with parrots. They can never be left unattended in an area that is not bird proof. They are very destructive. I'm sorry you went through this. It's something I think at some point I will be going through. Elaine

[My lil friend]

When Bunkey passed away last March I had a problem with his doggie couch and bed being in our bedroom,so I removed them. That didnt help because it left a big space in my room. So I moved a piece or two of furniture in my room and it helped. Sounds silly but at least when I looked in his corner,it wasnt just an empty space.

[Lil Sis]

One of the measurements of true love is doing what is best for the one you love. That is what you did. I hope you hold that in your heart eveyday, and remember that when you miss him.
He is happier.. being in a room all day was not what was best, he will go to a home that is in the right place to take care of him. Maybe one day in the future you will be there to rescue another pet that needs you... play it forward.

Hugs
Shinja

[JosselleandLola]

I am sorry you are going thru such a difficult time. I think you did the best thing for Echo, you are a good mom and i am sure he knows that. Hope u r feeling a litlle bit better today.

[Lucyana1129]

Originally Posted by jrsygal37

I'm sorry. I am going through a similiar situation with my Cockatoo Boo. As you know but many do not, parrots require a lot more attention, feeding etc. It's equivaltent to having a toddler for the rest of your life. I aquired Boo as a baby out of an egg and she is about six now. Having had her six years I'm now an advocate against parrots as domestic pets. For one they outlive us and two almost always circumstances in our lives change and that is when most are put in rescues (If they are lucky). For us, my sons are now older teens and I went back to work. I'm not home much at all anymore. What I did do was take a room and bird proof it and I leave Boo out all day with toys and fresh food and water. That however does not make up for the lack of attention. Parrots are very sociable and NEED human contact. They can be very demanding with their ear piercing screams as well as plucking when they don't get what they need. Their food habits are expensive as well as time consuming. It's not just seed. It's home cooking the variety they need as if they were in the wild. I too go through whether I should place her for adoption with rescue. I'm struggling with that now. One one hand I know she's safe with me and won't be abused but on the other hand I knogk I'mw she's not as happy as she could be. She's very lonely. It's different with our dogs, my husband is home all day with them and he plays with them, feeds them etc. and when I get in they sit on my lap and watch TV with me. He's afraid of the parrot. Not a lot of people can handle the size and beak and damage they can do. Which is the other issue with parrots. They can never be left unattended in an area that is not bird proof. They are very destructive. I'm sorry you went through this. It's something I think at some point I will be going through. Elaine

I agree, they require so much attention. They need you. You become their flock. And as most are one person birds it can become difficult when there are life changes. Echo refused to allow anyone but me to mess with him. He would bite anyone else. Very hard. So I couldn't bring him downstairs bc I feared he would bite my toddler. The man that will be working with him has a lot of experience with amazons so that makes me feel better. He would scream for attention and it was not only a horrible noise but it was very saddening to know how much he craved attention I could not give him. I had Echo for 4 years. When and if you have to rehome him it will be hard but in the end you will know you did what was best. It hurts terribly but I know that Echo needs more than I can give. It hurts most bc I love him and they are like toddlers. He understands things to an extent but he will never understand that I love him and that is why I gave him up. I just have to keep telling myself that its okay if he hates me. It fact, if he hates me maybe he won't hurt like I do. I have been away from him for up to a week. So I really have to stay away from the thought that one day soon he will have the realization that I am not coming back.

[Lucyana1129]

Just wanted to update on Echo. I called the rescue and they say he is doing great. They told me they have been handling him a lot and expect him to find a great home soon. I still am missing him dearly and have times in the day when I feel anxious knowing he isn't here. But I feel better knowing he is doing well and getting the attention and love he truly deserves. Thank you all for your support.

[Patti]

I am so sorry for all you are going through. Not many of us know the true sacrifice military and their family go through to keep us safe. Thank you and your husband for that. I am glad he is doing well at the rescue and it sounds like he will go to a good home. Hugs

[SpanishRose61]

Don't feel bad. I had to give up my daughter's conure. It was a present from me to my younger daughter after her bird died unexpectedly. Give her conure to my father-in-law, who is retired and has all the time to dedicate to him. Better than being all alone in my daughter's room waiting for attention. So don't feel bad. You did a very unselfish thing.

[celstu1]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. That is really very very hard! I can just sense the heartbreak you feel in your words. I had to place a bunny for adoption once. My heart was broken, not to mention, no matter how nice the rescue people are, I still felt like they were condemning me in their heads. I owned a house with my fiance, and we had just gotten a yorkie puppy. I had the bunny, which I rescued from a shelter only a month prior. The bunny and puppy were doing so well together I would find them laying side by side on the couch together all the time, sooo cute.
One day my fiance pretty much came home and told me he didn't want to get married and he didn't want the pets, I could have them. Well I kicked him out of the house, so suddenly I was taking care of the house alone, the 2 pets alone, working full time and going to night school. (my ex was home a lot since he was a Firefighter and worked 2, 24 hour shifts a week, he was home 5 days a week). Plus I had to pack up the house, sell it, move, cancel my wedding, and deal with a broken heart (we were together 10 years) ... I just couldn't do it all and my pup was only 5 months old. So with a heavy heart I gave up my bunny to a rescue locally. It was the best thing I could do for her at that point in my life and hers. My mom helped me with my puppy, often taking him overnight until his sudden unexpected passing. 5 years later, I got the opportunity to rescue another bunny and I did! She passed this summer, but she was with me until the end and very well taken care of! She died a happy bunny at least! I paid it forward, and I will do it again!

(((HUGS))) to you!