What positive impact have your bird(s) had on you and your lifestyle?

[Adinafloyd]

My babies have been by my side thru some really horrific times in my life. Even when I am at my lowest, when I am with my babies I know everything is gonna be ok. They shift my focus from the bad things in life to the good. We, as in my hubby and me see alot of bad everyday (law enforcement) and as soon as we get home and I here Jax screaming "mommas home" and seeing Scarlet frantically pacing in front of her door, wow as Im writing this I realize that I need them as much as they need me. They just happy me up!!!

 

[Birdman666]

I realize that I need them as much as they need me. They just happy me up!!!

Exactly. Couldn't have said it better...

 

[Sterling1113]

My bird(s) have helped me through some tough times. I've had Kiwi over a year now, and she's been through the emotional torment of my parents' deteriorating relationship due to my mom's alcoholism, my dad placing her outside when I was gone(She waited patiently for me, and then we promptly moved out.) and never complained about a new environment. She was protective of me to my boyfriend when we first moved in with him, but after some warming up we're one big happy family. Not long after moving we got Loki, and they've been friends ever since, keeping us and each other company with their games and squabbles. Kiwi still lets me nap and comforts me when I have my bad days, usually she's the first one in the apartment to notice my hormonal shifts! She's just brought a bunch of stability to my life, I guess is the point. My boyfriend does that too, but when he's at work all day most of the week, she keeps me sane while I'm here by myself.

 

[getwozzy]

I'm not sure what "sleeping in" is any more lol

My birds have helped me in so many ways; they've taught me patience, unconditional love, pain tolerance, and most importantly what can happen when you pour your love and devotion towards another soul...

They give me purpose every day (as well as the others in my life )....they need me no matter what craziness is going on in my life, and they often bring me back to ground. They know how to put a smile on my face and laughter in my heart.

I, too, would not be here on this forum had it not been for my birds...I feel like a better person overall because of all my little featherbutts (I still eat junk food though!! Hahaha)

 

[BirdyMomma]

How have my birds enriched my life?

I have a ridiculous lifestyle. I have been in the bar business for over 20 years now, and it's just completely asinine and insane. The hours, the company, the drinking, the instability, all of it. Since becoming the parent to my birds, my focus has changed drastically. I am more able to leave work at work, and focus on them. I come home right after work every night. I go to bed early, because even though they would let me get away with sleeping till 10am, I want to wake up at 6am, just to spend time with them before I have to leave.
I do not have children. I do not want children. The first time I ever had a shred of maternal emotion was when I had to leave Bacci alone to go to work. The love I felt for him was so selfless. I almost couldn't leave for fear of how it would affect him, and because I didn't want to spend a minute without him. Most people do not understand, these ARE MY CHILDREN.
I am a sarcastic, snappy, assertive,impatient person. This does not work with birds. I have developped a degree of patience that to this day surprises the poop out of me. I have had to learn proper training methods, and use problem solving and behavior shaping. I have had to put myself in my birds mind, to figure out how to motivate them to comply with what I would like them to do. This has helped me become way more manipulative with human beings, and in my line of work, that is a big help. I deal with a lot of young people who do not take their job seriously. I am learning how to train them to work better...... I have not resorted to bringing the clicker to work yet.
Finally, my birds have shown me, that I have the capacity to love another creature so profoundly, that I am often moved to tears by the fact that there is no eternity that I get to spend with them.

 

[BoomBoom]

This has helped me become way more manipulative with human beings, and in my line of work, that is a big help. I deal with a lot of young people who do not take their job seriously. I am learning how to train them to work better...

I have the same experience. I'm the manager for the service and parts department at work. I find that living with a sun conure who will, at times, test his boundaries, has made me more confident in keeping people in line at my job. My methods of rewards and corrective approach are more clear and unwavering.

One time, I was training a girl. She did a great job at something and I, being always half pre-occupied with something else, praised her with a 'Good Boy!!!' in the high pitched tone that I would with Boomer. I swear if I had an almond in my pocket I would chucked one in her mouth!

 

[RavensGryf]

One time, I was training a girl. She did a great job at something and I, being always half pre-occupied with something else, praised her with a 'Good Boy!!!' in the high pitched tone that I would with Boomer. I swear if I had an almond in my pocket I would chucked one in her mouth!

:34: Noooooo!!!!!

 

[BirdyMomma]

That's so funny!

It is a running joke at work, that I talk to customers as if they are birds. Greeting them with a robust "HELLOOO!" usually followed by "how ARE YOU?!"