GalaxyGirl
Checking out the neighborhood
- Joined
- 9/18/22
- Messages
- 3
- Real Name
- Sara
I have a 23 year-old African Grey named Henry that I rehomed a year and and nine months ago. I am his third home. The last owner whom I acquired him from was female and had him for approximately 18 years. The terms under which I was acquiring him were very vague as it sounded like she may be leaving for awhile, possibly an upcoming incarceration, and "he's being neglected." At the time, I didn't ask many questions because I was so excited to be getting an African grey for no cost and was beyond naive with exactly what I was getting myself into. Henry from the very beginning was beyond tough. He came to expect the seed/nut feed that his previous owner gave him as his primary food. I made the initial mistake of 100% substituting him to Zupreem pellets. He would throw the pellets and knock his bowl off the side of the cage. But the worst he would do is make this terribly loud and head-ramming CAWWW CAAWWW CAWWW sound that resembled a broom stick hitting his cage. I remember the previous owner offering me his old cage but said the "sides were busted in" which in hindsight made me think that his cage very well could've been hit repeatedly with a broom or wooden stick. Needless to say, I couldn't touch Henry without being nearly viciously bit for about 6 months, but even then could only very warily touch him inside the cage and be sure to be quick to remove my finger when he would flash on me and try to bite. On the otherhand, he bonded fairly quickly with my daughter who resembled the previous owner.
d
Fast forward, to around a year, Henry began to bond more and more with me which I thought was a truly amazing feat. Since then, my life has changed and I am now engaged and Henry and my fiance do not get along at all. I was warned by the previous owner that he does not like men, however, I did not expect to fall in love like I have. Henry is well-behaved when I am home in the evenings, but essentially makes it unlivable for my fiance during the day. I have encouraged my fiance that it takes patience and time with parrots, especially with Greys who have been neglected and abused. My fiance feeds and waters him daily, but Henry continues to try and bite him whenever he can. My fiance is very sensitive and not patient, and this situation at home is coming to a head really fast. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm between a rock and hard spot with either keeping my fiance or keeping my bird. I have explained to my fiance the fact that it took Henry a whole year to bond with me and that I am his THIRD home. I would feel terribly guilty to rehome him for a fourth time and frankly this is not something I want to do. My fiance feels I'm taking Henry's side over home and this is really driving a wedge between us. I could really use your insights and help here for what feels like a sad and hopeless situation. Thank you for reading.
d
Fast forward, to around a year, Henry began to bond more and more with me which I thought was a truly amazing feat. Since then, my life has changed and I am now engaged and Henry and my fiance do not get along at all. I was warned by the previous owner that he does not like men, however, I did not expect to fall in love like I have. Henry is well-behaved when I am home in the evenings, but essentially makes it unlivable for my fiance during the day. I have encouraged my fiance that it takes patience and time with parrots, especially with Greys who have been neglected and abused. My fiance feeds and waters him daily, but Henry continues to try and bite him whenever he can. My fiance is very sensitive and not patient, and this situation at home is coming to a head really fast. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm between a rock and hard spot with either keeping my fiance or keeping my bird. I have explained to my fiance the fact that it took Henry a whole year to bond with me and that I am his THIRD home. I would feel terribly guilty to rehome him for a fourth time and frankly this is not something I want to do. My fiance feels I'm taking Henry's side over home and this is really driving a wedge between us. I could really use your insights and help here for what feels like a sad and hopeless situation. Thank you for reading.