It never ceases to amaze me that I am capable of planning for the tiniest, most insignificant details - But miss the great big obvious DUH details.
I decided today is the perfect day to pop the harness on Isadora and take her out to Petsmart - I needed a pack of aspen for the chickadoodles anyway. Got her in the carrier, carrier into the car, and on the road we went. She did remarkably well, and didn't even get car sick! But you know what tiny detail I forgot?
People talk to you if you bring a bird to a store. Whether you want them to or not.
I am very good at people-ing. Years of retail work, restaurant work, admin, etc have trained me in the art of small talk. The Petsmart workers were fantastic, actually - Asked the basic general questions, no one asked to touch her, everyone kept a respectful distance and didn't overwhelm her (or me). Other customers though? Jeeeeeez.
There was one woman in particular. She has a scarlet macaw, a Hans macaw, and a goffins cockatoo at home. She stopped me to chat, asked about her and I gave the condensed version of the story: Isadora is 15, nearly 16, she came from an older couple who wanted a younger home for her, etc. She's doing great, she's the love of my life, etc. She asked "So she's almost 16 years old? How long have you had her?" I said for 4 1/2 months now. "Have you ever had a cockatoo before?" No, she's my first large bird and I couldn't have gotten luckier.
This woman, who was only in her 50's probably so she's only a little older than me, says "You shouldn't have her. You don't have the experience with large birds and you're too young to have one. You don't even look like you've got your own life together." AND SHE REACHED FOR ISADORA. SHE WAS GOING TO TAKE MY BIRD.
I would love to pretend like I had some witty comeback. I thought of all the good responses in the last hour since we've been back home and I've had a minute to process. In reality, I came back with the unbearably witty retort of "What?" Because I am brilliant under pressure. I stepped back and put my cart between us and said "Nope. We're not doing this." And I turned around and walked out.
An hour later, I have gone back in my head and told her off ten ways to Sunday. In the moment, I was so flabbergasted. Someone tried to take my bird away from me. Like, she literally tried to grab my bird off of my hand.
I don't think we're going to have another field trip. I think we'll stick to the yard. This was a stupid experience and I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had enough brainpower to yell at her and embarrass her for even thinking to try something like that. She deserved to be horrifically embarrassed. I'm so mad about the whole thing.
Here's the Diva in all her glory when we were walking around pre-harassment.
I decided today is the perfect day to pop the harness on Isadora and take her out to Petsmart - I needed a pack of aspen for the chickadoodles anyway. Got her in the carrier, carrier into the car, and on the road we went. She did remarkably well, and didn't even get car sick! But you know what tiny detail I forgot?
People talk to you if you bring a bird to a store. Whether you want them to or not.
I am very good at people-ing. Years of retail work, restaurant work, admin, etc have trained me in the art of small talk. The Petsmart workers were fantastic, actually - Asked the basic general questions, no one asked to touch her, everyone kept a respectful distance and didn't overwhelm her (or me). Other customers though? Jeeeeeez.
There was one woman in particular. She has a scarlet macaw, a Hans macaw, and a goffins cockatoo at home. She stopped me to chat, asked about her and I gave the condensed version of the story: Isadora is 15, nearly 16, she came from an older couple who wanted a younger home for her, etc. She's doing great, she's the love of my life, etc. She asked "So she's almost 16 years old? How long have you had her?" I said for 4 1/2 months now. "Have you ever had a cockatoo before?" No, she's my first large bird and I couldn't have gotten luckier.
This woman, who was only in her 50's probably so she's only a little older than me, says "You shouldn't have her. You don't have the experience with large birds and you're too young to have one. You don't even look like you've got your own life together." AND SHE REACHED FOR ISADORA. SHE WAS GOING TO TAKE MY BIRD.
I would love to pretend like I had some witty comeback. I thought of all the good responses in the last hour since we've been back home and I've had a minute to process. In reality, I came back with the unbearably witty retort of "What?" Because I am brilliant under pressure. I stepped back and put my cart between us and said "Nope. We're not doing this." And I turned around and walked out.
An hour later, I have gone back in my head and told her off ten ways to Sunday. In the moment, I was so flabbergasted. Someone tried to take my bird away from me. Like, she literally tried to grab my bird off of my hand.
I don't think we're going to have another field trip. I think we'll stick to the yard. This was a stupid experience and I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had enough brainpower to yell at her and embarrass her for even thinking to try something like that. She deserved to be horrifically embarrassed. I'm so mad about the whole thing.
Here's the Diva in all her glory when we were walking around pre-harassment.
that was way more thanI bargained for. And I still didn't get aspen.
I'm (mostly) used to it now though. She only manages to pinch me occasionally, but she sticks her beak in my eyes constantly.