My beloved Harry and I

barbaraanne123

New member
Jul 4, 2017
1
0
Reno, NV
Parrots
Harry. 23-year-old red-lored Amazon parrot
Hello Everyone,

I am new here, and I have been impressed with the knowledge people share.

The love of my life didn't turn out to be a man. It turned out to be my parrot Harry. I have had him 22 years. I saved him from this awful pet shop. I am 58 years old, disabled, and alone now. But I live in a lovely studio with a mountain view in Reno, NV.

It has a very big bathroom, where I can close the door. Harry and I have spent most of our time in each other's sight. But he is going through Spring mating season. He bullies my cat Alice. He has torn up antique furniture. I keep him flighted because you never know. One day, he might have to escape something. He likes to fly.

Yes, he bites wires, and I have to cover everything, and put my antiques away. I spend a lot of time at the computer, which he would rather me spend paying attention to him, at his whim. I gave him the bathroom, cage, toys everywhere, toilet closed after use. No window. I have three windows in my main room, where he comes out and plays.

He eats seeds from the Great Companions catalog, along with fruit pellets, and he insists on a peanut a day. I do whatever he wants.

I am having more trouble taking care of him than I used to. He goes through spring mating season, and does not understand that I can't have children with him. He'll play quietly in my main room when he has it to himself because I am in the bathroom. For baths, we always take them together. I have a spray bottle on the bathtub rim.

But he's getting aggressive, and my inability to clean up after him as well as I should, is creating sanitation problems. This is my fault, I know. But I am having a hard time. I think he has too much power. Birds are amoral. They are their own gods. :)

For my health, it would be a good idea to rehome him, but I wouldn't trust anyone with him. The idea that I'd be leaving him somewhere and walking out forever, for my own benefit, is impossible. I wouldn't survive it.

I had a cleaning service, but he took one of my pearl earrings out of my jewelry drawer, which I had accidentally kept open, threw it on the floor, I didn't notice, and the next day when I went to put them on, one was gone. I fired the cleaning service.

I'm not sure what kind of help to ask for. I will not abandon him. Maybe my friends half a mile away can take him a week per month, so I can clean my house?

I'm in a muddle, but I love him more than my own life.
 

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Hello and a warm welcome to you and Harry! Your companion sounds like quite the character! I'm sorry you are having relationship issues. Twenty two years is very impressive, I hope you can find a happy solution for the current problems.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome Barbara and Harry, thanks for joining! Your relationship with Harry sounds like a classic case of over-bonding. I suggest this without malice or judgment, as many of us can relate!

Your health and Harry's are intertwined, so you ought take care of your basic needs. Can you sequester him to a small day-cage to tackle some of the cleaning, bit by bit? If not, perhaps trying the services of a bonded and ethical cleaning service?

Longer term, is it possible to teach Harry to self-entertain? Perhaps your nearby friends can take him for short periods, to give yourself time to recharge? A bit of separation in small doses would be healthy for both!
 

LeaKP

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2014
3,146
Media
4
2,453
South Africa
Parrots
Congo African Grey
Welcome Barbara and Harry, thanks for joining! Your relationship with Harry sounds like a classic case of over-bonding. I suggest this without malice or judgment, as many of us can relate!

Your health and Harry's are intertwined, so you ought take care of your basic needs. Can you sequester him to a small day-cage to tackle some of the cleaning, bit by bit? If not, perhaps trying the services of a bonded and ethical cleaning service?

Longer term, is it possible to teach Harry to self-entertain? Perhaps your nearby friends can take him for short periods, to give yourself time to recharge? A bit of separation in small doses would be healthy for both!

Yes and yes to what Scott said. I am quite sure with something like these adjustments in place, things would settle and you might have many more happy years together. Please let us know how things go!
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top