going on holiday. ( or not?)

[casper]

We have a holiday booked for the beg of June for two weeks and I am so worried about leaving Charlie! I have no one to house sit for him who could take care of him.The only option I have is to have him board at the local pet store which I dont want to do because I know he would be really scared and he wont go in carrier to get him there. Should I cancel my holiday? Please help if anyone has come across this problem.I dont want to come back to a frightened and phobic bird just for the sake of going away for two weeks.

[nevjoe]

My reply to you is easy. You have a life, spend it with all the life you have within you. The bird is a bird that you love, but he is a bird. He is not human and doesn't feel as you do because he has a small mind. Again, he is a Bird. I know you feel the way we all feel about our birds, but he is a part of your life, not your life. I beg you to remember he is going to be ok, and will love you when you come back, more then ever. This is only one mans opion, but I know life is for the living, and we only get one chance. I'm 61 yrs old and someone will get my birds when I'm gone. They will live on, and have more years to follow.

HAVE A GREAT TIME.
Joe

[Laurie]

I'm with Joe on that one!

[Talon]

Isn't there anyone who could come to your house to bird sit? Have you tried asking the local vets? I am with you, I would rather stay home than put Talon in a pet store that she is unfamiliar with for 2 weeks.:huh:

[nevjoe]

If you feel you need to break your plans, then thats what you should do. Remember this, your bird should live to be about 50 or 60 yrs old. When will you take time for yourself?

Joe

[judygram]

Joe is right, you cannot cancel your vacation and holiday time just because you have a bird or birds. Everyone needs time away from home to enjoy life and all it offers, some kind of arrangements should be made to accomodate that be it somewhere for it to stay while you are gone or someone to come in and take care of it while you are away.

[Abdullah]

i second joe on that...you cant cancel every plan

have you looked over at craigslist..your local classifieds? Vet...they have pet sitters all over our newpapers..just look around or tell me your location and ill help theres soo many pet sitters out there i baby sat our neighbours cat when she was away for christmas...infact during holidays...christmas or summer holidays that is...you are bound to see hundreds of qualified professionals who baby sit pets for a living and have refrences too..ask your neighbours, friends or family members 2 weeks is not a long time.. and your parrot will be so excited when you come back...

[siobha9]

Worst case scenario... do you have a neighbour or friend who could call in once a day and change water and food? Charlie wont be too happy being stuck in a cage for 2 weeks, but at least he will be at home rather than in a pet shop!

I havent left for 2 weeks yet, but for long weekends that is what I do with my greys.
Siobhan

[casper]

The only other option is to get my neighbour to call in a few times a day. she is willing to do this for me and could possibly get someone to stay overnight who charlie is not familiar with. He would be on his own most of the time though and I know he wouldnt be happy.Do you think it would be better to do this than send him to pet shop? Either way I think I will come ack to a very sulky bird.All my friends think I am mad.I am sick of people saying its only a bird.I know you all understand.:unsure:

[danmcq]

Yes, having the neighbor look in on Charlie is MUCH better than a pet-shop environment. He will be in his Cage, home and familiar surroundings. You have 6 months from now to have your neighbor come over and visit with Charlie and become acquainted with him.

This will do 2 things, charlie will not feel abandoned completely and He will not be thrust out into a strange, scary and noisy environment like a pet-shop.

One other option you have, would be to take Charlie on vacation with you. :-) That may not be an option, but I thought I would just throw that thought out there as well. They love traveling (most anyway) and then have the feeling of being with their flock on a "Run". :-)