Entry FeedWe are currently baby-sitting a cockatiel for a friend who is off enjoying the sand and sun in Mexico.
The kids LOVE animals, and since Son One has been asking for his own pet, I thought this would be a good opportunity to see how he is in taking care of a pet for the short term. We currently have a pet, but he is so ingrained as a member of the family that his care is second nature to us all, so it is hard to gauge.
Of course, I am not sure what I was thinking offering to bird-sit. You see, our family pet is Merlin, a lovely black cat. Who, even in his "geriatric" age loves to hunt, and is a pretty successful hunter. Dead mice, birds, and even a rat have been found.
For some reason, I believed our lovable, hug-able cat to be tame. In reality, this has been a real wake-up call, reminding me that if I should die in my sleep and have not be found for a week or two, I will surely be eaten where I lay.
The Cockatiel is loving and affectionate. I actually had no idea birds were such great and fun pets. He isn't clipped, so we allow him to fly around the house. His favourite perch is my head. I have threatened him - if he poos on my head one more time, I am cooking up a batch of cockatiel stew.
He doesn't talk yet. We actually had a discussion about what phrases we could teach him. Given the bird's obvious affection for Daughter and I, my choice was, "I like blonds" however the boys vetoed me and decided on, "He scores!" So far, there is no talking going on.
Merlin is thrilled with the bird, thinking that we have brought him home a real puzzle - dinner in a cage... The rule is that the cage can only be open when Merlin is outside, or asleep and closed up in a bedroom. Husband, clever as they come, has used the old jolly-jumper components to attach the bird up high, away from the ground. If only we could get the kids to stop moving chairs over to the cage, we would be golden.
We've had two close calls.
Friday, the bird was out relaxing on my head while I read a book in the living. Husband came home from hockey practice, and while he navigated the hockey bag in, Merlin ran in between his legs. I started yelling for the door to close. The bird starting flying in a panic, and Merlin thought, "this is my chance!"
Again last night, the bird was out and Merlin was outside. Ever thoughtful Son Two, while playing outside, noticed Merlin wanted to come in so he let him in, forgetting that the bird may be out. Luckily, I was able to quickly usher Merlin out the back door and all was well again.
This bird loves to be around people and likes to perch on shoulders and heads. He nibbles at my earrings, and grooms my hair like his feathers.
Husband walks around with the bird on his shoulder, pretending to be a pirate. I may just kick him next time he utters, "Ahoy Matey!" Somehow, when I have the bird on me I don't get to be a cool pirate, but instead he calls me the crazy bird lady, saying I remind him of a homeless woman feeding pigeons in the park. What a double standard!
My advice? If you don't have a cat, and are thinking of a pet bird for your kids, go for it! We've had so much fun and can't believe how loving and affection birds can be. That being said, I can't wait for Friday so that I can stop worrying about Merlin making a meal out of our house guest.