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Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Cindy AZ on 8/19/2024, 5:46 pm

Since Mae died recently, Cookie is now an only-bird. He seems ok with that, as they were not bonded. But he liked having another bird around. He hollers a bit louder when we leave the house. He doesn't like being alone, naturally. I am not sure we should adopt any more birds. It's really too soon to consider it, we're still so heartbroken over Mae. Also we're getting older, and plan to make a major move when my husband can retire in a few years. On the other hand, I don't want to end up birdless! Cookie is also a senior bird. Whatever we decide, it won't be decided soon. My husband is adamant we not get anymore. I'm trying not to cut off the possibility, but not planning on it, either. So sad when they die. They leave a huge hole.

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Cathy on 8/20/2024, 12:05 pm, in reply to "Cookie is an only bird"

Cindy, I know exactly how you're feeling. After Shiloh passed I was in the same situation. Utterly heartbroken and bereft and getting up there in years. I did not have an easy time adjusting to the silence and being birdless for the first time since 2000 but I knew that I couldn't get another bird even though there are so many that need rescuing. There is something very special about birds so it wasn't easy. Maybe after your big move you could consider fostering birds or volunteering at a rescue.

I think that Cookie, like you and your husband, will adapt in time.

Cathy

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Gina on 8/20/2024, 1:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Cookie is an only bird"

Bailey is also an only bird now.

Snickers died in 2021 and they had been together for 19 years.

They are all very different and Bailey IS struggling still as he ages without his friend. He has always been a "hard nut to crack" and not trusting when it comes to being handled, so that probably plays into his difficulty with adapting.

I know that I do my very best with him and he is spoiled, but he is just a different bird now. He has bonded closely with me as I am now his only flock member. There are times, though, that I feel he just wants something I cannot give him.

Like Cathy, my age keeps me from getting him another friend, so he has me and that is it. I really think it would be the best thing for him but I have no one and feel it is not right to bring a bird into my home which will likely outlive me at this time.

Bailey is not depressed. However, I do believe he still misses Snickers. At the same time, he is dealing with aging himself as he is 24.

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Diane on 8/20/2024, 6:46 pm, in reply to "Re: Cookie is an only bird"

I'm in the same boat. I'm old now and I know Dorian and Max are my last pets because I am alone. Max turned 14 on Memorial Day and Dorian will turn 14 on Labor Day. It's a double whammy I don't want them to go before me but at the same time I have to prepare if I go before them. Aging on so many levels really does stink

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Cindy AZ on 8/20/2024, 10:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Cookie is an only bird"

So true. Seeing my mother’s decline and moving her into Memory Care, is like looking at our future. We want to be unselfish and provide for our pets, and not put new pets in a sad situation.

At the same time. The idea of being birdless is unbearable. We might look into fostering, so a rescue will own the birds until they’re rehomed.

But not now. So far, it’s working out with Cookie as an only-bird. He is 14 or 15. Just had his annual physical, a very thorough one, and is healthy. Hopefully for a long time yet.

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by seesthru, TC Advisor on 8/20/2024, 4:15 pm, in reply to "Cookie is an only bird"

It's so hard when they pass. Such a silence where they used to be. For Coolie maybe play a radio. I play NPR for my birds, because it's mostly talking, and they like that. Sometimes I play the classical music station.

I think Cookie will be happy enough with you two.

I hadn't planned on new birs at all. THe ones I was given recently, were NOT in the plan at all. I'm older, too. My tiels and Quaker are all elderly. The budies have significantly shorter lifespans, and I just coulddn't send them back. I hope I last long enough to give them the forever home they deserve. Rico and the Tiels, too.

Maybe, if you decide on another bird in the future, try and older rescue bird? But for now, I think Cookie is happy with you, and Mae's loss is too heartbreaking for you to make any kind of decisions right away.

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Cindy AZ on 8/20/2024, 5:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Cookie is an only bird"

So many of ours were also unplanned! We have gotten them from rescues or people rehoming them for many years now. Usually older birds by the time they come to live with us. It really hurts when they pass away.

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Nancy on 8/21/2024, 7:25 am, in reply to "Cookie is an only bird"

Seems a lot of us have the issue of being older now yet still loving the bond we form with our fids. I had three birds for a long time and they all got along so great. I love all my birds but Charlie was really the special one. I think a lot of us have that very special one. When he passed it was the worst. I did not get another bird it was just too difficult as it always is.. Spikey and Sammy girl were a great team..Spikey was very independent and Sammy the opposite always wanting the physical contact a real mushpot and sweetheart…when Sammy got sick I think it changed Spikey he became very distant and more independent but stayed by her side till the end…I didn’t think I could go through the loss again but then I met Happy on my birthday and he chose me and no way I wasn’t bringing him home..then came Angel who was in a cage with two other conures like him but every time I went it seems he was being picked on by the others..I knew I shouldn’t,t but felt I needed to rescue him..after 2 months of visiting I took the plunge… he was the toughest bird to warm up to me but now we are very bonded… Sounds silly but just couldn’t image Spikey ever passing…at 30 I was starting to believe he was going to outlive me..I know for sure no more birds for me..now after having birds for almost a third of my life I am now looking into finding a place for them should something happen to me…will never regret ever bringing any of them into my home as they have seen me through so much..

Re: Cookie is an only bird

Posted by Cindy AZ on 8/22/2024, 1:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Cookie is an only bird"

Kinda same here. We haven’t set out to get a bird, usually; they find us. A rescue will ask us, etc. And as soon as we see the bird or their picture we fall in love. We haven’t gone to a pet shop for a bird in probably 25 years or more. Also, if we got down to one bird and he or she was unhappy that way, we would go to a bird rescue and invariably fall in love with one of the birds there. Or two.

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