I just finished working on a very heartbreaking adoption case and it had me wondering what I would do if ever in such a predicament. Without going into great detail let me tell you what happened to this very lovely woman. Due to the death of her husband and some very unfortunate circumstances she lost her lifelong home and had to relocate. She had 8 parrots. She had no friends that would take her parrots, nor would any of her children help her out as far as taking in any of the birds - she could come alone! Because of her financial situation she could only afford a place that had a 1 pet policy. I suggested that we could foster the birds until such time she could get a place where she could reunite with all her birds, but putting them first she did not want to have them bond to someone else and then take them away in a year or two. I asked her how she chose the one to keep. She told me she took one bird at a time, sat down on her chair, looked directly into it's eyes and told them what she had to do. She said she left it up to the bird to give her the answer. OMG, at this point I was the one who was sobbing like a baby All of her precious babies have been placed in their "forever" home, all but 1 - her oldest and longest companion. Okay, now that I've got you all bubbling along with me, take a deep breath and try to answer the question - which one would you choose, and why?

I can't see to type too well right now. How sad for that woman.

Kita is fearless and outgoing and in my opinion would adjust to a new parront that loved her and took good care of her. Kady is just the opposite, he's had to struggle and push his limits for each brave step he takes.

I dread the day I have to think about parting with either one of them but if I could only choose one, Kady needs me the most and he would stay with me as long as possible.

Ever watch Sophie's Choice?

I could not, WOULD not, make that decision.

i couldnt make a choice if i had more than 1 bird cause they are like my kids ...i wouldnt give up a kid...but i feel so bad for this women...too bad her kids couldnt have more understanding about how she felt about her parrots

Oh Lord, what a sad and touching story. Which one would I choose? Any answer I could come up with now might not be the one I'd come up with if the situation actually arose. What I mean is, until we're actually placed in that predicament, how can we know? You'd have to go with the rationale and criteria that makes sense at that time, and in the end, follow your heart. It's a horrible choice to have to make, and I have to pray that the wisdom and acceptance that (hopefully) comes with age will help us with that when the time comes. I will say that it sounds like she handled the question as well as I can imagine anyone handling it. I wish it were a decision no one ever had to make. The sort of decision that makes you wonder if it truly is "better to have loved and lost, than never loved at all". We set ourselves up for these heart breaks, you know?

If I had to make that decision today...oh crap, you ask a lot you know? Assuming that a great rescue operation was involved, or wonderful homes were guaranteed. In that case, Chico would have to go. We're not very tightly bound yet, and he seems pretty durable. He must be to have survived 20 years and at least three less than optimal homes. Quito would probably be the other one to go. She's plucky and outgoing, and I think she'd adapt pretty easily......but a large part of my heart would leave with her. Tausi, I just have the feeling that he needs me the most, and perhaps vice-versa.

If their re-homing situation were less certain, I'd probably change that and keep Chico. Tausi and Quito would have a better chance with less experienced people than a 20 year old cranky, cage bound Zon. I think he'd be more vulnerable to abuse.

And the more I think about it, I realize that I'm no closer to being able to answer now, than I was when I started.

I couldn't do it. I have never let a bird go to another home that I wasn't sure in my heart was the absolute best situation for that bird. I have rehomed birds yes, but it was always done in their interest, not mine, and some were never meant to stay with me forever as it was, I was just doing rescue, rehab and placement.

Nothing against those fabulous places that do find the perfect home... but I couldn't give up the trust to let anyone else do it for me. I would work 6 jobs and move across country before I could give up my Tiki girl. Red would have 18 known and fabulous trusted homes in three seconds flat and would adjust well; but I still couldn't ever give him up unless I knew in my heart that I could no longer be his good home ever again.

How horribly sad for this woman. For anybody who has to make that kind of decision. My situation is such that Ollie is the only birdie living with me. My parents already care for the other 3 back home on the farm. So, Ollie goes where I go.

So do I. It's a decision, given my age and the birds age, that I know I'll have to make one day. It's tough to even think about it.

Thank goodness, I have enough friends who are animal lovers that I don't think I will ever have to farm out my babies to strangers, though they might have to stay with some of their "aunts" and "uncles" while I got my life in order.

I am sad for her. It is sad when people get ill or old and unwell. Very sad story. I would not make my parents give a pet away. I know my son will care for my doggie and bird if needed. I try to keep just a few pets in case that happens. I do not always feel good so I am careful about too many also. Things do happen to most people. I hope her birds are happy and I hope she will be happy.