Would you do the 'right' thing?

A bird named 'B'

from JoeUser Forums
I'm leaving the little guy's name ambiguous. You could say I'm protecting the guilty.

He's a little love bird. I got a call on Sunday. "Please come get this bird today." This from a woman who has been telling me for TWO years that her bird needs a new home. I've told her all along that I would take him. I wish I had been more forceful.

Several months ago I got the same call, but when I went to the house this woman's son wouldn't let me take 'B'. He was holding it 'hostage' in the basement. He promised he would take care of it...blah...blah...blah.

The story is that her son went off the college and left the bird at home. This bird has been so miserable that it's picking its feathers out and chewing the skin off of its wing and its cage was hardly ever cleaned. I didn't know this until Sunday. I got the call and sped off to get the bird before the son could intervene.

I told this woman that she could change her mind - she could have him back. But now I'm not giving him back. There is no way this little bird will ever go back there. NEVER!!!!

I took him to the vet on Monday and spent $211.00 Yes $211.00. Yes, I know it's only a love bird. Yes, I know I could buy a new one for $70. But that's not the point. The point is that this little bird is suffering.

So now he has liquid medicine that I have to force down his throat 3x per day, medicine that goes in his water and also a cream that I have to rub on his raw bloody wing several times a day. Needless to say we're not hitting it off too well. Not getting off to a good start. It seems that most times I go near him it's to give him medicine of one form or another.

I don't know how well he'll recover. The vet says this picking is the worst kind to get healed up. The spot on his wing will get stiff as it heals he'll want to pick at it.

I just feel soo bad for this poor little guy.

Here's the damage





I know this woman cared about the bird. She was almost crying when I took him. But she obviously didn't care for the poor little thing!

So, my question to you is, if you know you weren't giving your pet the best, or even adequate, care would you give it away to a better home?
17,768 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh no, that is horrible! I used to have two birds when I lived in the islands, two parakeets and they were lovely to have. I eventually gave them away to someone else since I wasn't going to be around for them anymore.

I definately think it's horrible to have a pet you can't take care of. If someone had good intentions in the beginning and things get rough for whatever reason the pet can't be cared for, they should definately give it to someone who can. Or take the animal to a pet shelter or somewhere they will be cared for.

I hope the birdie will somehow be healed.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

A long time ago,  I had to give away a pet to protect it.  It only took one instance of abuse and I did the right thing.  I did right by the cat,  and made sure the issues behind what happened were addressed.  Not easy all the way around.

 

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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

To answer your question, Yes.  When my wife and I first started dating, and then were married, we spent a lot of time at her place in another country (due to her job being down there or split with her later job near our home).  My little dog was being well fed, but I did not have time to play with her as all dogs need.  So I asked around and found someone who would love her and care for her.  So I gave her to them.  They walk her every day, and there is another dog for her to play with, so she is happier.

She was a pound rescue.  Very sweet one too.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
My wife and I are facing the issue of doing the right thing by our pet. She is in no way abused but we are not going to have the right environment for her. She doesn't do well around lots of people. She isn't allowed at any of the local groomers because she bites. I am really afraid of what she might do if she gets jealous of our babies on the way.

We have had our little poodle since weaning. I hate to have to pass her on but she is not going to do well in our house with babies. Fortunately, my in-laws have decided to take her. She is going to do so well there. She will be the center of attention and none of the groomers there know her.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
What a lovely bird. Even though I don't know you, I know you must be a decent man to be doing this.

To answer your question: absolutely. I have done in the past, necessitated by circumstances beyond my control. Keep us posted of the bird's progress.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
absolutely, positively, totally. i would find the best possible home for my pet (or for any stray in my care) if i really couldn't provide adequate care... care that they could thrive on, not merely survive (altho i'd start with survival!). fortunately, so far in life i've not had to. the quality of love you describe so well is when you can go beyond your own feelings and into the other's----and do what is best for them. and you sound healthy enough to know what the right this is! i think many ppl just don't know---or if they know, they don't act. i am relieved the little bird is in your care, under your caring, watchful eye.

of course, he's scared----but you know that's only because he associates you with some discomfort (applying the medicines). but i doubt he realliy fears you! that's another kind of discomfort entirely----as is sufferring gross neglect. i dunno....maybe if you could spend some pleasurable time with him---which wouldn't be so easy given you have to apply his meds several times a day---and i'm sure you have a life outside of the bird. thank you.

thank you for making this story known. thank you for being who you are. i will be thinking about this one little bird----and wanting him to recover.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
absolutely, positively, totally. i would find the best possible home for my pet (or for any stray in my care) if i really couldn't provide adequate care... care that they could thrive on, not merely survive (altho i'd start with survival!). fortunately, so far in life i've not had to. the quality of love you describe so well is when you can go beyond your own feelings and into the other's----and do what is best for them. and you sound healthy enough to know what the right this is! i think many ppl just don't know---or if they know, they don't act. i am relieved the little bird is in your care, under your caring, watchful eye.

of course, he's scared----but you know that's only because he associates you with some discomfort (applying the medicines). but i doubt he realliy fears you! that's another kind of discomfort entirely----as is sufferring gross neglect. i dunno....maybe if you could spend some pleasurable time with him---which wouldn't be so easy given you have to apply his meds several times a day---and i'm sure you have a life outside of the bird. thank you.

thank you for making this story known. thank you for being who you are. i will be thinking about this one little bird----and wanting him to recover.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
absolutely, positively, totally. i would find the best possible home for my pet (or for any stray in my care) if i really couldn't provide adequate care... care that they could thrive on, not merely survive (altho i'd start with survival!). fortunately, so far in life i've not had to. the quality of love you describe so well is when you can go beyond your own feelings and into the other's----and do what is best for them. and you sound healthy enough to know what the right this is! i think many ppl just don't know---or if they know, they don't act. i am relieved the little bird is in your care, under your caring, watchful eye.

of course, he's scared----but you know that's only because he associates you with some discomfort (applying the medicines). but i doubt he realliy fears you! that's another kind of discomfort entirely----as is sufferring gross neglect. i dunno....maybe if you could spend some pleasurable time with him---which wouldn't be so easy given you have to apply his meds several times a day---and i'm sure you have a life outside of the bird. thank you.

thank you for making this story known. thank you for being who you are. i will be thinking about this one little bird----and wanting him to recover.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
absolutely, positively, totally. i would find the best possible home for my pet (or for any stray in my care) if i really couldn't provide adequate care... care that they could thrive on, not merely survive (altho i'd start with survival!). fortunately, so far in life i've not had to. the quality of love you describe so well is when you can go beyond your own feelings and into the other's----and do what is best for them. and you sound healthy enough to know what the right this is! i think many ppl just don't know---or if they know, they don't act. i am relieved the little bird is in your care, under your caring, watchful eye.

of course, he's scared----but you know that's only because he associates you with some discomfort (applying the medicines). but i doubt he realliy fears you! that's another kind of discomfort entirely----as is sufferring gross neglect. i dunno....maybe if you could spend some pleasurable time with him---which wouldn't be so easy given you have to apply his meds several times a day---and i'm sure you have a life outside of the bird. thank you.

thank you for making this story known. thank you for being who you are. i will be thinking about this one little bird----and wanting him to recover.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
absolutely, positively, totally. i would find the best possible home for my pet (or for any stray in my care) if i really couldn't provide adequate care... care that they could thrive on, not merely survive (altho i'd start with survival!). fortunately, so far in life i've not had to. the quality of love you describe so well is when you can go beyond your own feelings and into the other's----and do what is best for them. and you sound healthy enough to know what the right this is! i think many ppl just don't know---or if they know, they don't act. i am relieved the little bird is in your care, under your caring, watchful eye.

of course, he's scared----but you know that's only because he associates you with some discomfort (applying the medicines). but i doubt he realliy fears you! that's another kind of discomfort entirely----as is sufferring gross neglect. i dunno....maybe if you could spend some pleasurable time with him---which wouldn't be so easy given you have to apply his meds several times a day---and i'm sure you have a life outside of the bird. thank you.

thank you for making this story known. thank you for being who you are. i will be thinking about this one little bird----and wanting him to recover.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
absolutely, positively, totally. i would find the best possible home for my pet (or for any stray in my care) if i really couldn't provide adequate care... care that they could thrive on, not merely survive (altho i'd start with survival!). fortunately, so far in life i've not had to. the quality of love you describe so well is when you can go beyond your own feelings and into the other's----and do what is best for them. and you sound healthy enough to know what the right this is! i think many ppl just don't know---or if they know, they don't act. i am relieved the little bird is in your care, under your caring, watchful eye.

of course, he's scared----but you know that's only because he associates you with some discomfort (applying the medicines). but i doubt he realliy fears you! that's another kind of discomfort entirely----as is sufferring gross neglect. i dunno....maybe if you could spend some pleasurable time with him---which wouldn't be so easy given you have to apply his meds several times a day---and i'm sure you have a life outside of the bird. thank you.

thank you for making this story known. thank you for being who you are. i will be thinking about this one little bird----and wanting him to recover.