- Aug 25, 2012
- 599
- 0
- Parrots
- Duskies: Gizmo & Niko, hatched 3/12 & 5/12; pineapple GCC: Skittles, 5/10/13; Pan Am: Harley, 1/27/13; CAG: Maalik, 7/27/13; Eclectus: Ziggy, 4/4/04; BHC: Walter 6 y; baby Jardine's: Bogart-May!
I've always been an animal lover. From the time I was a very little girl, I would help, or take in an animal in need. From guinea pigs, to chinchillas, dogs, cats, hamsters and even bunnies, I would take in or adopt any animal that I could...except for birds. Why??? Because I believed that birds belonged free and flighted. I felt sorry for any birds who were kept in cages all their life. I judged those who caged their birds, not knowing anything about them.
It wasn't until I started volunteering to take care of select shelter bunnies at Petco with my daughter that my beliefs about bird ownership changed. We set up the bunny pens right next to the conure section every week for an hour. While we were there, this funny little dusky conure caught my attention. She would dance, swing from various toys, and mimic my calls to her. I was drawn to her cuteness, and I was pulled in by her every move.
I went home and began reading about conures. I was intrigued by these inquisitive creatures, and developed a thirst to learn more about them. As the weeks went by, I felt that she was connecting to me in a way I didn't know was possible between humans and birds.
After a month, I was compelled to bring her home. There was just something about her that was magical! Slowly, surely, my viewpoint changed. I could see the attraction. And I could see that it was possible to bring happiness to them, whether they were caged or not.
Today I'm the proud owner of two beautiful, sweet duskies. They spend a lot of time socializing with my 4 kids and me. I couldn't imagine life without them!
When I talk about my birds to others, I'm met with the same biases and resistance that I used to hold towards others. Many respond to me negatively, but I understand their point of view. And it's OK!
So...never say never. Because you just never know!
It wasn't until I started volunteering to take care of select shelter bunnies at Petco with my daughter that my beliefs about bird ownership changed. We set up the bunny pens right next to the conure section every week for an hour. While we were there, this funny little dusky conure caught my attention. She would dance, swing from various toys, and mimic my calls to her. I was drawn to her cuteness, and I was pulled in by her every move.
I went home and began reading about conures. I was intrigued by these inquisitive creatures, and developed a thirst to learn more about them. As the weeks went by, I felt that she was connecting to me in a way I didn't know was possible between humans and birds.
After a month, I was compelled to bring her home. There was just something about her that was magical! Slowly, surely, my viewpoint changed. I could see the attraction. And I could see that it was possible to bring happiness to them, whether they were caged or not.
Today I'm the proud owner of two beautiful, sweet duskies. They spend a lot of time socializing with my 4 kids and me. I couldn't imagine life without them!
When I talk about my birds to others, I'm met with the same biases and resistance that I used to hold towards others. Many respond to me negatively, but I understand their point of view. And it's OK!
So...never say never. Because you just never know!