So, Question

[kiffie]

Jackie isn't doing too well.

Talked to Mom today. Jackie's started screaming. If you've owned parakeets, you probably know what this sounds like. It's the sad, long, drawn-out call that comes after the normal "where are you?" calls don't work. She's also talking to herself. Then yelling at herself.

This is bad.

I suppose I have two options:

Try to find another parakeet, about her age, and try to introduce them. I don't know if this would work. She doesn't like other birds. It took so long for her and Hubert to get along, and they may just end up killing eachother, even after the 'proper' introduction period. But if I don't, she'll get more and more violent. Right now, she's taking her anger out on the seed-dish and the cage. She might work it onto herself. And self-mutilation is one neurosis I do not want to deal with.

Try to home her with the Pasadena Humane Society. They have a huge, outdoor aviary with hundreds of parakeets. She'd be forced to be social. However, it would mean giving her up. It would also mean putting her into a very uncomfortable situation. It's been years since she's been in a flock situation. She might not know how to deal with it. It might make things even worse. It might make her forget this, or it might drive her over the edge. She could kill herself.

Damnit. I don't know how to deal with this. Jackie is not a tame parakeet. How do I deal with something that feels no attachment to me? She was never my pet! She was his. Always his.

She was his birthday present.

Fuck.

Comments

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

I think giving her to the Humane Society would be the thing to do, Kiff. If she is likely to become violent towards another bird, flock-members are actually less vulnerable from a stranger than a bird bought to keep her company would be. Poor Jackie.

*hugs*

[kiffie.livejournal.com]

Nnng.

Both choices make me D:

But...

Nng.

I still need to think.

._.

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

It's true. :( Maybe consult someone who knows much about birds?

I never had to make this kind of choice. :/ My mom gave away my birds (cockateil and budgie) while I was at summer camp. (For which I've never really forgiven her, even if she did think I was allergic.)

[lilblueunicorn.livejournal.com]

I would try and get her a new mate. But I would keep them in separate cages for awhile. Somebody to talk to would beat no one... I'm so sorry Kiff. :(

-§parky