I might have to rehome Emmett :-(

I love this guy so much. I've only had him since Feb., but have had some unexpected life changes. I have moved from MD to ME and in the Fall we are moving aboard a boat and cruising with our children.

Taking care of Emmett hasn't been a problem at all, but now that I'll be homeschooling our children, I will have a lot less time. Not to mention finding vet care for him while we are mobile will be difficult. I worry about his mental and physical well-being. He's like another child.

I am racked with guilt. Had I known about our move and living aboard, there's no way I would have brought Emmett home. I have always considered myself a responsible pet owner. I've never given a pet up -- EVER. I've always given my pets the best possible care regardless of cost. I've worked so hard to get Emmett healthy since we purchased him. I can't stand the thought of him ending up somewhere where he wouldn't get the best possible care.

One other thing bugs me. I think Emmett misses the company of other birds. His previous home had a few other birds. He's has become increasingly quiet the past several weeks. He did have a bacterial infection for which he was treated, but he's still not talking or vocalizing much. I'm thinking he's unhappy. I don't know what to do. My heart is just broken.

I am so sorry you have to make this decision but it is what's best for him. I can tell you love him very much and that you don't take this lightly and I'm glad you realize it needs to be done. I'm sure you will find a loving family for him if you do end up having to give him up.
Best of luck, Chris.

Sometime we have no control over things and life gets in the way. Sounds like life is going to be come very busy. Homeschooling can be challenging and demanding but so very rewarding. I homeschool my 3 children. Your be surprised one you get in to it homeschooling can become fun. But traveling abroad with the bird may become somewhat an issue. Giving up a much loved pet of any kind is never easy but if your sure that it's what your have to do, the next step is finding the right home, sounds like a home with other birds would be what he needs. Good luck to you I would love to help wish you were not so fare away.

I am so sorry. You can tell how much you love him. It is a heartbreaking decision, but one you will make with his best interest at heart.
Hugs,
Laura

are you allowed to take him on the cruise? maybe someone can foster him until you come back? don't beat yourself up, it shows how much you care about him. you only want what's best for him, that shows your a good bird owner. i you give him up, i would recommend a rescue that screens homes before allowing them to adopt, this ensures he goes to a good home. if you adopt him out yourself, do a home visit and interview people. try to give him to a home that has other birds and kids. i wish you the best, regardless of what you decide, it will be for the best. good luck and try not to feel bad, no matter what he will always be loved, whether it be by you or a new owner .

Things happen in life that you have no control over. It sounds like your heart is with this bird and you know what will be best. Finding another good home and guardian will help to make you feel better about the whole thing. Best wishes.

This is why I'm a little critical with my responses when someone wants to get a pet, especially a bird. Noone can tell what life is going to throw at them unless your old and retired like I am. So I pretty much know what I'm going to be doing for the next several years.

If you think you will have enough room and would be allowed to take him, I say take him with you. If it's a male Eclectus, which he is, there is a reason why he's quiet. Most male Eclectus are fairly quiet birds for the most part. Plus they don't like a lot of activity and if you have young children, that could be why he's more quiet than he would be in a home with no children and less activity. But I don't think it's the other birds that he's missing. He will come around in time especially if your home settles down a bit.

I homeschool 2 of my children. Ruby has her own perch in our classroom. She really enjoys class and last year she actually beat my son to the answer in a multiplication quiz game. So I believe sometimes she pays more attention to the lesson than the kids do. She would sneakily steal pencils off their desks or chew a corner from their work page, but she was never a distraction.
So sorry about the tough decision you find yourself having to make.

Are you still in Maryland? I am sure that things can find a resolution. How long are you going to be gone? I know some people that have fostered long term for people. Feel free to PM me. Phoenix Landing is a great rescue as well and may be able to help place him.

RescueMe said:

Are you still in Maryland? I am sure that things can find a resolution. How long are you going to be gone? I know some people that have fostered long term for people. Feel free to PM me. Phoenix Landing is a great rescue as well and may be able to help place him.

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I am in Maine now. I'm not going to decide now. I still feel there are health issues to resolve before I decide. I don't think his poop is right yet. It still looks watery to me. Also, he is not growing feathers around his neck ( a thin ring is bare around it). I am trying to find a vet here in Maine. The only avian specific vet is 4 hours South of me. I found someone about an hour away that does see birds so I'll give that Doc a try. If he's healthy when It's time to depart on the boat I will try bringing him on board. I think the further south I get with him I'll have a better chance of finding a good home for him if he is unhappy on the boat.

I've thought about finding foster care while we're away, but I don't know if it would be unfair to pull him away from a happy home to come back with us. He needs and deserves stability. If I can't provide it then I have to find it for him.

I prefer Mac's poop to be watery than too solid. They have a long digestive system and watery poopm is easier to pass. Also, limit the amount of fruit you give him. The vet told me that people tend to go overboard with giving their birds fruit, which can cause runny poop as well.

Male Eclectus are very sensitive birds, which causes them to pluck or overpreen themselves. Mac is notorious for overpreening. The vet feels like I do, it's more a habit now than anything else.

mtdoramike said:

I prefer Mac's poop to be watery than too solid. They have a long digestive system and watery poopm is easier to pass. Also, limit the amount of fruit you give him. The vet told me that people tend to go overboard with giving their birds fruit, which can cause runny poop as well.

Male Eclectus are very sensitive birds, which causes them to pluck or overpreen themselves. Mac is notorious for overpreening. The vet feels like I do, it's more a habit now than anything else.

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Thanks for the input. I really do appreciate it. I'm so new at this and I have so much to learn! I don't give him too much in the way of fruits. Mostly rice, veg & beans. He does love apples, grapes and watermelon, so I give them to him in moderation. Emmett's a picky eater. I'm pretty sure he ate a lot of seed before coming tome. I can't get hit to eat anything leafy. He tolerates only some of the beans out of a 15 bean mix! I don't think Emmett is plucking or over preening b/c I don't find any little feather lying around. I'm concerned it could be a fungus. I guess the only way to know for sure is a blood test? I haven't done this before. Is it expensive?

I would just take him with you (if you can)! Pirates had parrots on boats... Why wouldn't Emmet be able to hang out while you guys do the home schooling? I think that being in any situation where the bird would be around its family 24/7 is a good one. Rocco loves hanging out on our shoulders while we do everything. We recently took him (and Rome) out with us while we played some frisbee golf. He seems to like to hang out in a spot and observe whats going on around him (typical ekkie trait). I would try him out on the boat and see how he does, you may find that its a lot easier than what you had previously thought. If you do decide to re-home him, it wont be hard. Male ekkies are sought out for and are more difficult to find. I think you'll be surprised if you take him though, he'll more than likely fit right in and enjoy being around you guys all the time.

Molcan2 said:

I would just take him with you (if you can)! Pirates had parrots on boats... Why wouldn't Emmet be able to hang out while you guys do the home schooling? I think that being in any situation where the bird would be around its family 24/7 is a good one. Rocco loves hanging out on our shoulders while we do everything. We recently took him (and Rome) out with us while we played some frisbee golf. He seems to like to hang out in a spot and observe whats going on around him (typical ekkie trait). I would try him out on the boat and see how he does, you may find that its a lot easier than what you had previously thought. If you do decide to re-home him, it wont be hard. Male ekkies are sought out for and are more difficult to find. I think you'll be surprised if you take him though, he'll more than likely fit right in and enjoy being around you guys all the time.

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I really hope we can keep him. My first priority is getting him healthy and strong so he can adjust to boat life. As soon as my vet returns from vacay, I will be taking him in to have his blood work done. His negative gram rods have returned to normal, so we are encouraged!