FMF is going scold me for getting a pet, but I got a pet. It just sort of happened to me.
My co-workers were smoking outside when a parakeet landed on the shoulder of one of them. Apparently this little guy is trained and very social. He likes to perch on your finger. They decided to bring him inside because a hawk was circling overhead. For some reason bright turquoise parakeets make easy targets. Go figure.
I told the woman who had him on her desk, “It’s going to eat through that box in a hour. Let me know and I’ll go buy it a cage.”
Sure enough, by 10AM today we were at a pet store getting a whole rig for the damned thing. $70 bucks of little blue joy. The lady at store told me to come back in a few days once he’s stopped freaking out and she will clip his talons and wings for me.
I DON’T NEED A PET!
I’m too nice to let him get killed by a hawk or live in a cardboard box. The plan is to leave him in the office till Wednesday when I can take him back to the pet store for his grooming and then home on Wednesday night. (I HAVE PLANS FOR DINNER TONIGHT! I AM TOO SELFISH AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO KEEP AN ANIMAL WHICH IS WHY I DON’T ALREADY OWN A BUNNY!)
I have seen other parakeets. I am a sucker. I bought a large cage for it so I can get him a friend in a few weeks. Birds are social animals and I don’t want him to get too unhappy being all alone in my apartment for hours when I am out with my singleton social life.
I AM GOING AWAY THIS WEEKEND! I DON’T NEED A PET!
Thank god one of my friends is a pet sitter. She doesn’t really sit for birds, but will refer me to her friend who owns a bird.
THIS IS TERRIBLE.
But he’s kind of cute, even if he’s already pooping all over the cage.
Once he gets settled, if the pet thing doesn’t take with me, I will give it away free to a good home. I want to make sure he’s healthy before giving him away to another family. Wouldn’t want it to infect any other birds they might have.
*sigh*
I am a sucker. I think it’s tattooed on my forehead.
Oh sweet Jesus, please don’t let me turn into a pet/cat lady. I really don’t need this.
(It does not help that a family in DC on Craigslist is giving away their parakeet because its mate was “murdered” by the family cat. I’m thinking in a month, that might be a good one to rescue and keep mine company.)
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Hey, even nerdy liberal Korean-American financial obsessives can have pets once in awhile. And a parakeet, like you said, is kind of cute.
Ian
Awwww. It is nice that you rescued it though. It wouldn’t stand a chance in the world.
Budgies are pretty simple to keep, and just about anyone can ‘birdsit’ for you as they aren’t as demanding as a bigger bird. If yo do keep it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to find a buddy for it, especially if you don’t have time for it.
Too bad I wasn’t nearby, I’d adopt it. I have the sweetest Cockatiel named Gobo…she’s my little buddy that I’ve had for 12 yrs and is fairly easy for people to birdsit for me when I’m gone.
I belong to Quakerparrots.com, and maybe you can post info about your bird there (it’s not all about Quaker Parrots)…it’s free to register and who knows, a dedicated bird owner in your area might be interested in rescuing it for you. They do that lots in the forum, find homes for the ‘fids’ (Feathered kIDs)
You love it already, I can tell. Budgies are easy – you can even go overnight without causing it too much stress. Remember they have, well, birdbrains. He’s not going to be pining for you every minute of his day. Get him a buddy, some good seed, a mirror and he’ll be all set (see how my mind automatically translated blue into “he”? Sheesh!) Actually good to hear there are still hawks in your area….here we’d have to worry about the hawks, falcons, and eagles – yep, big baldys! See ya soon
Kim
And all this time I thought you didn’t have a heart. Awww, how sweet!
Yea, you were suckered…by a bird. Ha!
Welcome to the world of pet ownership. It’s expensive but worth every dime.
Pets are good for the soul. Keep da birdie!
Owning a pet may not be frugal, but there are great rewards…I commend you. Sounds like he/she/it may have picked you, rather than the other way around. Parakeets are easy and this one is already socialized, value added. Congratulations on yr new dependant.
ack, a pet! i’m thankful every day that a cute-enough pet hasn’t crossed my path to break my no-pets rule. but, with the new house coming up, the daughter has been pushing the pet wish list pretty hard. now, if we could get some fiber hares, then maybe – pets with purpose…
good luck with the birdie.
Aww, how cute.
My across-the-hall neighbors have a pair of “somethings” (I asked the youngest daughter what kind they were and she said “Mongolian English.” So I’m still at a loss.). They seem to get a kick out of them, so I hope your new bird does well for you, too.
Good for you! Our first pet together was a parakeet we captured in our back yard. Next came Kiwi, a conure we purchased while looking for parakeet food. Our little parakeet died, was replaced by another parakeet, then we added a cockatiel. The second parakeet died, and we added two dogs. I don’t regret anything, we love (and remember those who have been lost) all of them. All because of one little blue parakeet. Hopefully this is the start of much joy for you!
While I wouldn’t advise keeping a pet you truly couldn’t care for, you seem like a responsible and caring girl. Clearly, this little guy needs a home. If can’t provide a good one, then by all means, find someone who can. But in my opinion, this may be a little sign for you
Another thought: perhaps you can keep him at your office, where he’ll get plenty of interaction and stimulation. Coworkers can trade off taking him home on the weekends. Also, he may be perfectly happy without a mate/buddy, so you might consider giving him a little time before you get another. Good luck!