My Bird Don't Talk and I Don't Care

A few weeks ago I went out of town on a mini vacation and asked one of my band members to be my birdie sitter for a few days. The vacation went great and the birds squawked like a crazy flock when we returned home. Before the trip Tammy was still pretty distant from me with a getting-to-know her owner super shy and defiant type of attitude. Upon returning she seemed to have a change of heart. She seemed super excited to see me, and even let me take her out of her cage without a fight. All was well!

A few days later Wake Up Bedhead had band practice and Jason, my bird sitter said that the other birds were fine with him when he changed their food, but Tammy put up a huge fuss sounding calls off like an alarm and wasn't able to be touched. He commented that it seems like it would be so much work to have a bird like that, and that there couldn't be much fun in having a bird that did not like to be handled, and doesn't speak or do any tricks.

I wasn't offended by the comment at all and can understand his view point, but it did throw me off a bit. I've been pondering my decision since then, and daily my thoughts affirm that I have made a wonderful decision to adopt Tammy. She screams and tries to run away when attempting to take her out of her cage, her body is almost entirely plucked and she does not have the beauty of a fully feathered parrot, she does not speak but squawks and screams very loudly, she poops all over my back, she cannot do any tricks, and she is extremely fearful of hands.

Regardless of all of this, I love her and she shows me much gratitude by swaying and cooing to me throughout the day. She enjoys sitting on my shoulder, eating her treats, watching t.v. and observing the other birds. Though she's had a long, hellish life she never once has bitten me and has the sweetest personality.

I never really thought much of my happiness or my convenience when deciding to re-home an abused creature. I knew that it take hard work and persistence to own a pet like this, but I really wanted to make a positive change in the life of an animal that never was given a chance before. It would have been easy enough to choose a bird that was never neglected or abused in their lifetime, and a bird who wasn't in need of much training, but I wouldn't feel very good about myself if I had done this. I have made an enormous difference in the life of another living creature who is not able to care for itself.

 In two months she went from quivering in the corner of her cage to actually stepping onto my fingers. She is a great companion and is quietly sitting on my shoulder while I type this! The progress is amazing, and some day I bet she will be a universally desirable pet. But whether this change occurs or not, I desire her and she desires me, and that's all that matters.

Please adopt an animal in need if you are looking for a new pet! The world will be a better place if you do!