Unwelcome News

Oh Pammy, I am so sad that you have to suffer about your decision, or worry about being judged. Not every pet, dog, cat, or bird, is the right fit for every family. You did the absolute right and responsible thing by personally finding a new home for him.

Are you going to try again? That girl you wanted may have been the correct decision after all. My girls are lovely. They like and want my attention, but they are not demanding and do very little calling. You know the first cockatiel I looked at last fall when wanting to get a cockatiel was an 8 month male that actually frightened me a little. He was very tame and confident. He seemed pushy and demanding of me, a complete stranger, and his owner said how he screeched to get attention so she would have to cover his cage. Anyway, I am sad that you had to go through this difficult decision with Mistletoe. And I understand that it is hard and heartbreaking, but of course you know it is the right decision for you, your family and Mistletoe.

I never mentioned anything about Lucy but yes she worked out perfectly for me. She's loves to walk all over my homework and be on me when I am in my room. She has no problem being in her cage if I am doing some important assignment though. And if I leave, she calls once or twice with her cute little chirps and then is stone silent until I return. I wouldn't be able to tolerate a screaming bird either. My parakeets are so noisy but more of a whispering chattering sound.

Diana, my post wasn't meant to offend anyone. I made a mistake too with Leo. I was more or less saying like what happens when there isn't another home for the bird aka Pammy and I were both very fortunate in finding homes for Leo and mistletoe. I'm not saying people shouldn't own pets but maybe just have some sort of back up plan in the making. On second thought that's not really ideal. I guess these things are unforeseen and unpredictable

Pammy, how did your husband take it and your children?

Thank you all so very much for your kindness and loving support of me during such a difficult time. I was really afraid I would be harshly judged, and I shouldn't have allowed those feelings to make matters even worse than they already had to be.

No, I do not believe I will try again with another cockatiel. They are lovely, wonderful birds, but 1) I don't deserve another one after rehoming Mistletoe, and 2) for me, they are more bird than I can handle. I'm so glad cockatiels are the perfect bird for some people, most especially for the family who adopted Mistletoe, but budgies are a better fit for me.

My husband and kids took it well. They stood by me in whatever decision I needed to make. Mistletoe was jealous of Natey, so there was no real relationship between them. Mistletoe would shoulder perch on my husband and my big kids, but only if he couldn't have me. They liked him, but they didn't love him. They have all recovered nicely.

I've been chatting today with the man who adopted Mistletoe, and he says he's doing great! This Will's mother-in-law has been coming over a lot just to play with Mistletoe, because she likes him as much as the immediate family does. He's got a perfect bird's life there with his new family, and is getting all the attention his little heart desires. It really does make the separation easier to take, and lets me off the hook somewhat with my guilt, because I know Mistletoe is deeply loved and adored. I'm so grateful that my mistake has turned out to be someone else's blessing.

Mistletoe's new daddy told me this afternoon that Mistletoe's "grandma" has decided to dig out her Christmas CDs and bring them over for Mistletoe to listen to!   He said she (his mother-in-law) is excited for a reason to listen to Christmas music in the springtime.  What a great family!  I feel such joy that Mistletoe gets to live with them.  

Ah I see. I understand not holding Natey, this makes me to think twice before getting a had tamed bird. Hypothetical question, do you think it would have been better to get another tiel? or your love was all he wanted?

Pammy, are you looking to getting another female budgie? Because of poor December
Or are you just leaving things how they are for now so you can calm down and relax (which you deserve!)

Lisa, December is here and well. It's Noel who flew out the door a few weeks ago. I do want to get another female to balance my budgie flock and so Clausy can have a girlfriend, but I feel guilty considering it right now, with all that's happened. I don't want to rehome one bird and then go get another, you know? Just seems wrong. I would eventually like to have a balanced male-female flock again, but for now I do need to calm down and let things be. Fortunately, my three budgies seem very happy together and although Kringle & December are clearly a couple, Clausy doesn't really seem like a 3rd wheel. I hope he is happy. He seems to be.

Oh, here is something funny to lighten the mood of this thread -- Natey has a Thomas train set with tons of tracks. We are always building a new track in our living room. Well, the other day, my 16-year-old son, Jared, decided that he really, REALLY wanted Clausy to go for a ride on the (battery operated) train. That poor bird! Jared put him on the train and he'd hop off. Jared put him on the train, and he'd hop off. Jared put him on the train, and he'd hop off. This happened maybe 20 times. Jared didn't give up, and Clausy finally agreed to ride the train. He looked so cute and funny riding around the track, and my very tall son was downright gleeful with his accomplishment.

They are tiny and cute, and I'm so thankful to have them. They are wonderful little pets.

That's okay on the names. The only reason I pointed it out is because December has been Natey's dear little friend, and I didn't want you to think he doesn't have her (since you love my Natey). He does have her! Although I must say that Clausy is climbing the ranks of family favorite lately. He's just so very, very adorable.