Need HELP!! Trying to plan, thinking out loud...

[Lis]

Hello as most of you know I've adopted Duke and Pepper in September. Things have been going great, only a couple of stumbles with Pepper nipping, but nothing major to overcome. Well I wasn't expecting the news I got from the dr yesterday and my head is now swirling with what to do...

I've had neck, shoulder, arm pain getting progressively worse the last few years, short version is I will find out of Nov 6th if I will need to have ACDF, cervical spinal fusion basically. This will be major surgery. I will not be able to do anything for myself for at least 2 weeks. Can't lift anything 5 bis for at least a month. What I say next is not meant to offend any men out there, but I don't know if my husband can really understand my total care requirements...he is not the animal person I am. He likes my Macs, but he's afraid to even hand them a treAt. I know he would give them food and water, but he wouldn't think it really matters if they come out of their cages. I'm so afraid it will change my bond with them. My husband also thinks I will be able to take care of them with in days, NOT!!

So here is one thing that crossed my mind. I have an acquaintance about 20 mins away. She has has a Mac, but not now. Has other birds, loves all animals. I was talking to her and she said she would be happy to keep pepper at her house for an extended baby sitting even for a month if needed. My husband said he thinks that would be over reacting since he believes I will be well enough to care for them in a week
I know my husband is less intimidated by Duke and there would be a chance I could convince him to bring him out on his Java tree, but both I doubt it. I know my friend would take great care of Pepper and have a lot of fun with him. I just wonder if the bouncing around would be worse for Pepper, than to stay here during that part of my recovery? I worry that being here and being bored could be negative for him? Does anyone have anything else I could try? I want to have a plan before this happen, which will be before 2014.
Thanks Melissa

 

[tab_xo]

Firstly i am sorry to hear about the surgery I hope you wont need it, but if you do then you will be in my thoughts!!


Birds are very aware of our emotions and illnesses, you will be surprised how different they will act when you come back, and they will miss you like crazy


I have had problems recently, nothing as serious as you, but i had knee problems, and couldn't walk for a week, and still over a month later i can't put pressure on them!
But last week i had a riding accident, so for 6 days now, i have basically sat in my chair all day long, having really trained or played with Fargo, or taken him outside, of course he comes and lies with my on the couch..

I fell asleep in the afternoons for the first 3 days, and he sat by my side for 3-5 hours each time, didn't fly around or destroy anything, just stayed with me!

I am the only bird person in my family, so i still have to clean and feed, but that isn't a huge chore..

How much time do your macaws need, are they high maintenance ? Are they independent and entertain themselves?

I guess it is easy with me, because Fargo is incredibly low maintenance as he never screams which is so weird, and he just plays on his gyms all day long, i honestly have to do anything with him really, until he comes over for his cuddle time.. So when i am unwell, i never have to worry about him being bored and upset, because he occupies himself each day anyway!


Can you still walk after the surgery, or are you literally in bed for 2 weeks straight?

It is a big decision, but you will choose what is right for your fids, they will forgive you either way! and you will get a very big welcome back party from them when they see you! haha

I dont trust anyone with Fargo, so everyone knows if something happens to me that i can't look after him for however long, that he goes back to the breeders who will take care of him !

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I think the extended pet sitting sounds like a great idea, that way you know they're getting the care you believe they should have. Relaxing after surgery is important, and if your husband is right and your fine after a week you can bring them home

 

[Lis]

Thank you both for the posts. Tab_xo I hope your knee gets better soon. Glad Fargo is such a sweet boy for you.

My boys are good about keeping each other company in the Parlor where I keep their cages. They are use to being out a good chunk of the day. Duke is 22years so he is more happy to just sit near buy and come kiss ya, but Pepper is 5 years and loves to bounce, dance, talk. He had been ignored when I got hi and had begun to pluck a little, but hasn't since being here.

I will literally be unable to get out of bed for 7-10 days mush more than having help going to the bathroom. I will have a titanium plate with screws placed in my neck and a bone graft needing to fuse together. I will not be able to move my head much at all and should not for a while. I can't even ride IN a car until my follow up doctor visit because of jarring.
you think Pepper will be ok coming back home after a while or will he be angry? Anything I could do to make it better for him and Duke? They have gotten to be good friends even preen each other's tails. I just hate the thought but neglect seems much worse to me.

 

[Lis]

I think the extended pet sitting sounds like a great idea, that way you know they're getting the care you believe they should have. Relaxing after surgery is important, and if your husband is right and your fine after a week you can bring them home

She can't keep both of my Mac's but offered to help with 1. I figured Duke would be easier for my husband and Pepper needs more stimulation. Is it ok to have one go for awhile?

 

[tab_xo]

Thanks! My knees are almost better, now just have internal bruising in my abdomen.. Yay horse riding


Oh wow, thats terrible you poor thing! It will be a long 10 days hey!

Then yes, i think having them both go on a little holiday to someone you trust will be fine! As long as they are together i think they will be a bit less upset with it all!

Like Ashley said, they would then both be getting the correct care that your husband can't give, so then that will be a peace of mind for you!

I dont think they would be angry, they are fairly forgiving!


Would this lady take their cages as well, and the java trees? Then they would have a lot of familiar things around them!

Lots of toys will keep them occupied, plus this lady will be able to take them out and handle them which your husband cant do! So they can have interaction and play time!

Can the lady come visit them sometime before your surgery so they can get used to her and see how they react?

 

[tab_xo]

Oh just read your post!

So she cant take both the macs?


Do you think they would be ok separated ?

 

[Lis]

They have only been together since Sept. She can take one with his cage and can bring him back by for visits. She has a teenage daughter with parrot and Macaw experience that would enjoy him. She has 2 sons too plus horses so space and time to 2 would be too much.

Best thing would be he's only is gone 2 weeks and maybe could come for a visit sometime and hang out with Duke and me

 

[Chesphoto]

Sorry Lis for your situation. Here is a suggestion... Since your friend lives only 20 minutes away, maybe she would come over twice a week to clean your cage and take your birds outs while you recoup. This way, you will still be able to talk to them every day and your husband can feed and give them fresh water every day.

Not ideal, but you would be with them and they won't feel abandoned.

I did this for a friend who had shoulder surgery. He actually had a few friends come over to help clean up and care for his flock. His ruby macaw, Ringo, will now even step up for me.

 

[MonicaMc]

Option One: Have your friend come over daily to interact with your birds while you are recovering.

Option Two: Have your friend take Pepper for whatever duration is required. However, before this, take Pepper over to her house several times so he can get acquainted with it and the surroundings. This way, it wont be so bad once he's there during your recovery time.



I hope the surgery goes smoothly when you get it done, and the recovery wont be too terrible!

 

[Calace]

Just a thought...
I understand that you are worried about how this will affect your birds, but I think you need to remember just how much they will pick up on how you are feeling. If you think that having them both looked after by your husband will stress you out, then maybe sending Pepper to your friend is a good idea. If they are home and you are unhappy, then they will be unhappy too! Besides which, if you are stressing it will only take you longer to recover!

 

[MikeyTN]

I actually think it's a bad idea sending Pepper to your friend. It can stress Pepper even more and let alone letting Pepper liking your friend then you yank him back. It's gonna stress him out big time. It's always better to have someone else to come over to help with the chores and play time. I get sick a lot so sometimes I'm not able to hold my macaws for several weeks up to a month at a time. Like back on last thanksgiving when I got a bacterial infection from some restaurant. I was sick until late January so I did not hold any of my birds during that whole duration. My partner feeds them and such. But when I got better everything went back to normal as my birds still come to me just fine. They see you there, they know your there with them. My partner can not hold Willie but he can get him back in the cage when my partner tells him to. As that's how I taught Willie to begin with. Now with Lola, my partner does better with her when I am not home, as long as she knows I'm home, no one can touch her. But same thing like Willie, she will go back into her cage willingly.

 

[Lis]

Thank for all the input.

MikeyTN that is hat I was worried about Pepper feeling like, yanked back and forth. Since this will happen probably happen in Dec, my daughter will be home from college for some time and can help with the chores. I was worried that they would get use to not being held as much. I feel much better hearing you say that your FIDS were fine once you were better. Thx you everyone.

 

[MikeyTN]

As long as your not just putting them into a corner and ignore them, they would be fine. So what if Pepper needs a little bit of work to be done with him. You can accomplish that once your well enough to do so. But it needs to be done through you as he is your bird and he needs to learn to bond with you. So fear not about his issue, things would be fine. Just take your time to recuperate until your strong enough to work with Pepper again.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery though!!!! We'll keep you in our prayers!!!