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Hi all. I haven't been on in awhile either, but I really need to hear from those who know where I am coming from. I am the companion and maid service to Rowdy, my coming 10 year old (can't believe it-he's going to be 10 this year) BH caique and more recently, Pickle, a rescued Senegal.

We moved three years ago from a small, rural college town where Rowdy had a great view of the hussle and bussle from the large front windows and he would go to the edge of town in his travel cage to the barn with me and gripe at the horses and mules as I worked them. We moved way out in the country (we were so excited to be back out there), but it has been difficult for Rowdy, my little ADD bird. I have tried to compensate but I still have to be gone to work, etc. as usual. The birds are outside as much as possible and love it. Pickle has also helped some but they cannot physically interact because he will attack her. I wasn't expecting them to be buddies since he IS a caique and had been on only bird for so many years, but she mimics him and helps entertain him.

Anyways, my other major issue is that since we moved, we do not have anyone to pet sit. Before the move, my sister and father-in-law would pet sit for us and my sister was good with Rowdy. There are no professional pet sitters for 150 miles and I don't want a stranger in my home or taking care of my birds for their sake and the risk of theft. If my husband and I do get away together, it's for the day and I would be comfortable leaving the birds overnight if I had to because of the way I have their cages, waterers, etc. set up. I guess I just need to vent. I am so frustrated. We have other animals including horses and mules, but the birds' care is the biggest obstacle becasue of their special needs and I'm sure my tendency to worry about them.

It's has also been very difficult to keep them warm enough in the winter while also allowing them to be out with us. Our house is a brick ranch-style but it is exposed to the constant Oklahoma winds and we tend to lose electricity as well. Sometimes I can't help but wonder how much less complicated life would be without the birds and thinking in the same thought how much I love them. My husband is the most loving, understanding man I've ever known but he would also like to be able to go do some things without constantly worrying about the birds' well-being.

Because we are also life-long horse/mule lovers, we have to be out in the evenings working them and I feel guilty because I feel like I should be with the birds who have been home alone all day. I try to give them something new each morning to shred, etc. and Pickle loves ice! I have also tried letting the birds stay up later with us but Rowdy is usually winding down by 9-9:30 or so. It's just been a difficult road.

Thanks for letting me vent. I appreciate it! Tandy

Hi, I know what you are saying - and I think that many of us have felt that way at times.

The other night I was so tired (and I know that I just expect tooo much out of myself) but I like all the cages with clean papers and the floors clean when I go to bed. So it seems like I am constantly working and never have time to sit to watch a movie, without getting up 10 times during it because I am used to doing things during commercials. Then my friend called to tell me she took the day off to cut up a huge tree that came down from a storm. They worked about 8 hours just cutting it up and splitting it. I was so thankful that I didn't have that added to my daily chores. But sometimes it is difficult to find the hours in a day to do everything. And finding enough time to spend with each one of my guys plus doing cages and keeping floors clean sometimes is all the energy I have.

I went to my neighbors house (we live in townhouses) and hers was so pretty and clean. No, she doesn't have 8 birds, 9 cages, a large play area, a tree with boings wrapped around it and boings hanging from the ceiling. But I can't imagine life now without my guys and just do the best that I can.

I sometimes think that maybe a family with 2 parents and children to play with the birds would be better for some of my guys. But with all the school and activities that kids have, the birds might get left out alot too. I think only you can truly decide if you feel your birds need more. But I understand the need to "vent" at times. I have found that giving them too much one on one or handling is not good for them either, as they get bonded and think of us as their mate. I do like to let them out to play everyday for an hour or two. But since they don't all get along, it is a juggling act at times.