I post because I feel comfortable here. I know you all LOVE Peg's now and understand what I am doing.

The road has not been easy. I have had resistance, not just with forums but with my own family taking in PBFD birds.

The resistance has come from many sides, the look of the bird,
the constant heartache of loving something that is going to die soon, to ridicule of taking in birds that are spreading a disease to other birds.

What to do.

I am human. I have feelings. My birds have feelings.

Sometimes I feel I am damned if I do, damned if I don't.
I didn't set this path for myself. I didn't intend to go the way I did. It just happened.
I didn't cause PBFD. I don't spread PBFD. The birds have it.
They spread it.
What would you all do if you were asked to take a PBFD bird?
Would you look at it and say ughhh, it is ugly? When I first saw Peggy, I have to admit, honestly, I didn't even realize she was a bird.
What would you all do if a vet said she is going to be euthanized, can you pleeese take her, I would but my avaires are too full already.
I have been ridiculed for taking Peggy, taking Manau. Keeping them, letting them spread the PBFD particles.

I am confused right now.

The only negative thing I can see in giving care and love to these birds is your own heartbreak in the end. I don't know if I could handle that.

You earned her trust.
You earned her love.
You give all that you have to give.
She tries her best to please you, and, she does.
You are an Angel on earth as she will someday be in Heaven.

Well, let's just say that if I am ever sick and lose my hair I will know who to call! I would take Peggy today if you needed me to.

I understand where you are at. I could never do it since I would not risk the lives of my birds or my heartache that is going to come. If it is possible to keep pbfd in isolation then no harm is done. I have been vocal in my condemnation of those that knowinly sell pbdf babies to unsuspecting buyers and promote the spread, but since it is not your aim to spread the disease, I do not condemn your actions.

I think this is completely your choice and that no-one should ever ridicule what you have done for these birds. The sacrifice, in the end, is all yours.

Will each of these stories end in heartache for you? Yes. Will the love and experience that each bird gives you balance out that heartache? I suspect yes, but only you can decide. I'm pretty sure there is much joy, as well.

You ARE damned if you do, damned if you don't-- if you do, you are committed to an extra level of care that I can only imagine, and you are committed to knowing when these birds have lived their lives to the fullest and are sliding downhill...and know when to let them go. If you don't, you will have a certain amount of guilt to overcome-- not that you should have guilt, but I suspect that like me, once you hear of one, you never forget. The animals I have failed to help have always haunted me.

Yet, at the same time, you must not get overwhelmed. There are some you won't be able to help, and you'll deal with that.

People are insensitive and selfish. Anyone telling you you should not be helping these birds is only thinking of how put-out they would feel themselves. If helping the birds fills your heart and gives you a sense of peace, and if in doing so the birds themselves are not somehow hurt, then this is all yours. I can't comment on the spreading of the disease, I'm not educated on it enough, but I would think that you would be taking precautions to not spread it to other birds; that's part of what comes with caring for these birds.

And if, at any time, you decide that this isn't working for you anymore, then there is no shame in that. You have already made a difference in the lives of the ones you helped and you have worked to educate others. Anyone who hasn't made the same efforts you have has no right to criticize if and when you stop. Your heart and your head will tell you what is right.

If anyone else gives you any crap, send 'em our way. We'll deal with them. LOL!!!

Good luck to you!!!!

I don't see a problem with what you are doing, in fact given your experience with the disease I'm surprised you don't just go ahead and open a PBFD rescue center only for PBFD birds, contract with vets and avian researchers, get grants to help cover the costs as well as donations, maybe help make some progress for curing the disease all the while helping those in need. I see your kind heart in this as a major opportunity to help not only just birds who are living with PBFD (both pets and wild) but for those birds who might still contract disease.

Like everyone else has said I'd want to protect my birds & might even be worried if you visited.

I've had friends who died of Aids - terrible. When people first heard of it they went running far away. Could they catch it? - no not from the air!

In your case - it really is everywhere. I'm sure you followed the stories from Britain when they slaughter all those sheep - to isolate the foot & mouth. - did it work - not 100%. Did they do it for the greater good - definately - but was that the only way in this day & age? - I wonder.

Your situation is so different.
I applaud you for being there for your birds. If you can handle the sad reality & the sad & hard times - I think you are more in touch with reality than the rest of us. We all want things to be perfect & put down the imperfect.

Chin up - we respect you - most of us.

Thanks everyone for the support.

It is a toughy the spreading of the disese side. I would not be able to visit any of you or anyone who has Psittacines. The disease is in the skin, sputum and feathers. It can attach to my clothes and hands. I do not go out though in the same clothes I wear round the birds.
The birds are not completely isolated from the other wild birds here, it is impossible to do this. I see a lot of the wild ones in my yard with the disease though. If my birds don't spread it, these ones will anyway.

I have no intention of breeding, could you imagine poor Peg's with and egg?? She has never laid one while I have had her, thank goodness. Maybe the disease is preventing this. A good thing.

I too condemn those that sell PBFD babies and they sould be reported for this. All breeding stock in Australia should be tested, the disease is too prevelent here.
Also like I said, so many wild ones have it, some of these Psittacines are only very small and even visit yards in towns.
My dogs are all tested for their inherited probs. If I can do it with dogs, then they should do it with birds.

Tis a sad thing PBFD, even yourselves could have PBFD particles on you especially if you live in Australia.

I wouldn't open a full on rescue, the birds are 24/7 care when they are like Peggy. I can't go out too long, even showing my dogs has been scaled down to local shows only. I can't go overnight, she can't survive outside.

Bless your heart! I remember a woman that told me once that if she had twin babies in the forest and to survive she had to leave one - she would. I was only 22 and was horrified. At the time I wasn't sure why but now I am. It is "survival of the fitest". I completely hate and disagree with that theory. My theory is we all either sink or swim together. What good is a life when you have sacrificed others well being to live it???? How would you sleep at night? There are plenty of things worse than death. We would have to be careful, but you and Peggy are welcome anytime in my home. J K&OP