DexMom
New member
Today is Dexter's hatch day and I wanted to share the story of how he came to join our family. A year ago, I never would have imagined I'd have a parrot. It wasn't even a glimmer on the horizon.
Every few weeks I went shopping in a pet store, getting dog food for my two hairy beasties. There was a sun conure there in a large cage that you could see right when you came into the store. He was gorgeous, and also very friendly and clowny and outgoing. It became a habit to stop by his cage and noodle around with him a bit each time I went to the store. As the months passed, I started to become quite fond of him (I'm assuming it was a him) and my son would spend the whole time we were in the store talking to and playing with this bird. Each time we visited, it became harder and harder to leave without him. One day in particular, I left with a lump in my throat and a child in tears saying goodbye to our feathered friend. But, I couldn't make the decision to bring an animal into our lives on a whim.
I didn't know anything about birds, so I started researching. I realized that a bird could actually have a pretty happy home with us. It would only take minor changes to create a safe haven away from the dogs that also happened to be a space in the house where we spend a good deal of time. So, he could be safe and included in our daily happenings. I learned about the care and feeding of a pet bird and once I started to image it could work, I started working on DH. My husband loves the dogs, but is not really into any other animals, so he was the one who needed convincing. It didn't take long since he knows I'm such a nurturer and wouldn't even bring it up if it wasn't in the best interest of the animal.
So, for my birthday in June 2015, from DH and the kids I got an interesting "decorative" item (which was really a bird toy) and a lovely card, with a picture of my new bird. He had not put a deposit on the conure because he wanted to be 100% sure I really wanted him before bringing him home. Of COURSE I wanted him. So, we went out the next morning to a local parrot store, bought a huge cage and all the perches and toys any bird could ever dream of. Then we went to the pet store to pick up the bird and he was GONE!!! After having been in the store for many months, he was purchased an hour before we went for him. I was very sad, but my poor son was CRUSHED.
At that time I took a pause. I knew we really wanted a bird. But, knowing how the universe works and that everything happens for a reason, I decided to take the opportunity to research a little more into parrots and really try and find the best species for our family. It didn't take long for me to zero in on the Eclectus, it felt like the right choice, so I started trying to find one. It happened that a semi-local bird store had one that was still being hand fed and we went to meet him. It was love at first sight. We had to wait a month for him, and went to visit a couple of times before we were able to bring him home in early July.
It's only been 9 months, sweet Dexter. But you've become such a big part of our family that I can't remember life without you. And, I don't want to. Happy hatch day, my love :smile015:
Every few weeks I went shopping in a pet store, getting dog food for my two hairy beasties. There was a sun conure there in a large cage that you could see right when you came into the store. He was gorgeous, and also very friendly and clowny and outgoing. It became a habit to stop by his cage and noodle around with him a bit each time I went to the store. As the months passed, I started to become quite fond of him (I'm assuming it was a him) and my son would spend the whole time we were in the store talking to and playing with this bird. Each time we visited, it became harder and harder to leave without him. One day in particular, I left with a lump in my throat and a child in tears saying goodbye to our feathered friend. But, I couldn't make the decision to bring an animal into our lives on a whim.
I didn't know anything about birds, so I started researching. I realized that a bird could actually have a pretty happy home with us. It would only take minor changes to create a safe haven away from the dogs that also happened to be a space in the house where we spend a good deal of time. So, he could be safe and included in our daily happenings. I learned about the care and feeding of a pet bird and once I started to image it could work, I started working on DH. My husband loves the dogs, but is not really into any other animals, so he was the one who needed convincing. It didn't take long since he knows I'm such a nurturer and wouldn't even bring it up if it wasn't in the best interest of the animal.
So, for my birthday in June 2015, from DH and the kids I got an interesting "decorative" item (which was really a bird toy) and a lovely card, with a picture of my new bird. He had not put a deposit on the conure because he wanted to be 100% sure I really wanted him before bringing him home. Of COURSE I wanted him. So, we went out the next morning to a local parrot store, bought a huge cage and all the perches and toys any bird could ever dream of. Then we went to the pet store to pick up the bird and he was GONE!!! After having been in the store for many months, he was purchased an hour before we went for him. I was very sad, but my poor son was CRUSHED.
At that time I took a pause. I knew we really wanted a bird. But, knowing how the universe works and that everything happens for a reason, I decided to take the opportunity to research a little more into parrots and really try and find the best species for our family. It didn't take long for me to zero in on the Eclectus, it felt like the right choice, so I started trying to find one. It happened that a semi-local bird store had one that was still being hand fed and we went to meet him. It was love at first sight. We had to wait a month for him, and went to visit a couple of times before we were able to bring him home in early July.
It's only been 9 months, sweet Dexter. But you've become such a big part of our family that I can't remember life without you. And, I don't want to. Happy hatch day, my love :smile015:
