The Aging Parront - Page 3

12-05-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimba

As some one who is seriously ill, I have not had to re home my bird, nor will I until my death. I'm currently in the hosp for a month at a time and that is hard on Eve, but he manages. I've been on Oxygen and much to my surprise eve didn't chew through the O2 tube. I'm on Immunosuppressants so cleaning can be a bit of a risk for me, but I wear gloves and such, my energy is about that of a 70 year old woman, and I can say my bird does not suffer for it. I will not get an second bird because I can not handle two all the time. So Poe Eve's BFA friend comes to visit on the weekends. There are always options, I've moved constantly and still have my bird, I've been homeless in NYC and still have my bird, and I am now seriously Ill and still have my bird. Yes life happens and changes, I'm no stranger to that, but I also believe my bird is my kid and I would not re home my kid. And when I pass, when ever this illness finally does me in, lets hope not for a long time, Eve already has a sanctuary spot at foster parrots. To me life is about priorities and you always hold on to your main priority no matter what happens. Eve is my priority.

very well said, kimba. i couldn't agree with you more.

12-06-2007, 06:17 AM

Kudos to you, Kimba! You are an example of the way it should be: Putting them first because, after all, they did not ask to be born in captivity. If everybody had your love and sense of responsibility toward their animals there would be no need for rescues or sanctuaries out there.... unfortunately, most people are not like you.

12-06-2007, 06:45 AM

Yes, so true - I was thinking of you, Kimba, last night, thinking what a brave and loving person you must be - and thinking how different the world would be, if more people were like you.

12-06-2007, 09:13 AM

It hasn't been easy mind you, there have been many days of tears not knowing whats going to happen. But life's hurdles are typically temporary compared the life span of a bird. I would never forgive my self if I gave up Eve. And the torment of not knowing where and what was happening to him would kill me. I take great pains to make sure eve stays socialized with many people and situations so that when Eve does go to Fosters the transition will not be so bad. I do what I feel is necessary and perhaps that is not the norm. I honesty don't understand why, as I expect everyone to experience the avian/human bond the way I do, but I guess that is silly. To me there are always options, even when homeless, I smuggled my birds, at the time I had crayon my painted conure, to work. And when that was no longer an option I fostered them at a coworkers house. Actually I think there should be foster programs for birds in addition to rescues. Most situations are temporary and most people never forgive themselves for giving up their birds and later regret it.

12-06-2007, 02:01 PM

Well, there are such 'programs' if you know the right people. I very recently 'returned' two Grays that I cared for over six months. Their guardians had a difficult living situation and needed somebody to board them for a while (although they never figured it was going to be that long) but could not afford or even want the commercial facilities so I offered to do it free of charge. On Dec/22 I am getting over 20 tiels from another lady who is very particular about her birds. Her husband is Russian and they are going to visit his family for the holidays and they won't be back for almost a month. Again, free of charge. And, in most cases, if I have enough time, I even transition them to a healthier diet so they return to their guardians in better shape than they came in. So, see? there are such 'programs' and now you know of one: Me! LOL

12-06-2007, 04:25 PM

Yeah, I was thinking of you, Bea, and then I thought about your husband and where he fits between the foster dogs and the birds...

12-07-2007, 08:09 AM

He doesn't fit 'between', he is after them: first come the birds, then the dogs, then the cats, then him and then me.

12-07-2007, 10:40 AM

[quote=Grandma;80381]50! 50! 50 is not so old. 70 is getting there but not quite. As long as you can get a friend, relative or, hire someone to do the heavy cage cleaning....I should think a bird would do more good than be a burden to the elderly. ...my fids are all going to my granddaughter if something should happen to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beatriz Cazeneuve

first come the birds, then the dogs, then the cats, then him and then me.

I'm with you, Susan! 60 is the new 40! lol, at least in some ways. and Bea, first, you gotta take care of the Mama-"cause if the Mama ain't happy or healthy, ain't nobody happy!"

This is not really a joking topic. Any of us could get hit by a bus tomorrow or sidetracked by a family/financial/accident situation or have a problem "aging in place" mentally or physically. FWCAS is having an Animal Rights and Trusts attorney come and speak at our March 13th meeting in Sarasota. If any FL people would like to attend, please let me know and I'll send directions, etc.

We had another attorney speak a few years ago and it was very enlightening about how our fids are considered "chattels" and can be sold as assets even if you have made arrangements for grandchildren, friends, etc to take over their care-unless it has been done legally with a trust or codicile to your will! There is no way around it unless you have sufficient funds to cover all your expenses surrounding your death or long term incompetentcy. So it is really important to have legal provisions in place, regardless of if you are 25 or 85!

12-07-2007, 10:52 AM

I just want to make something clear. My comment about doing this at 50, is not a joke to me. No one knows what I deal with because I dont complain. So please, lets be aware of others situations here. I brought this topic up for a reason.

12-07-2007, 12:03 PM

No, it's no joke, that's for sure. I am now over 50 and thank goodness I am still very strong, agile and with incredible stamina (I can outwork anybody I know) but I had a big cancer scare seven years ago and I have a few health problems... minor but still something to consider so I understand when people worry about caring for their birds as they get older. Let's face it, when you do it right it's an all-consuming, incredibly labor intensive thing and it's OK if you are healthy and young but if you have health problems and are beginning to age, you just can't do it. And, when you haven't had vacations for ten years, it becomes a burden. It's normal. It happens to the best of us. Plus, like Gini said, we can all get run over by a bus tomorrow so everybody should consider making arrangements for their birds.