Well... Sydney will be staying with my sil's mother and her zoo (3 birds, 3 dogs, and some cats... but all are separated from one another) a week from today. (for about 8 or 9 days). The thought of leaving him is killing me. lmao.

I took him for his second annual check up the other day. He's very healthy, and doing well. The vet told me to bring him back when I get back from vacation to make sure he hasn't lost weight from being left... and to make sure he hasn't picked up anything from the other birds he is staying with. I asked her if she thought he would be as tramatized as I am...she said "oh yes... most likely". I also told her that others asked me why I wasn't taking him with me on the nearly 1000 mile drive... and she said just what I thought... It would be much more stress on him than leaving him.

It's funny how you worry about these fids like they are your children. I'm freting over all kinds of things... like taking his older cage for him to stay in cause it's easier to move. Been wondering how he'll deal with that... all kinds of silly stuff. How he'll deal with not getting all his fresh veggies and fruit every morning (sil's mother said... "he won't be getting that here") lmao.

If I enjoy this vacation it will be a miracle. The only thing i'm not going to miss is is squawking... but I swear this is killing me.

Awe I feel for you. Try not to stress out too much because he will know it to. Try and relax!

Have a safe trip

Hi Marylee,
I feel the same way you do when it comes to leaving my fids. That's why I haven't had a vacation in 2 years. I"m sure you'll be calling quite often to see how he's doing. I'll bet you'll find out he's doing ok and then you can enjoy your vacation a little more.
Maybe you can wash some fresh veggies (his favorites) and ask her to at least give him some of those while he's there. If you wash them and dry them really well and store them in a plastic bag with some paper towels, they should be fine for a week. That way at least he'll get some for the beginning of the time you're away. Even just the first few days. Also do some shopping for some very interesting new toys for him to play with. Make sure he has all the stuff he really, really enjoys.
I feel for you, but I'll just bet he'll be ok after a day or two. You'll know when you get the reports from his care taker
Tikileahsmom

Marylee,
Do you have time to take your little guy over there for a visit before you leave? It might make you feel better knowing at least he's been there before and it will seem a little familiar. Just a thought
tikileahsmom

yeah... I'm going to pre-wash some stuff and take it over there anyway. Enough so she can maybe turn her birds on to some healthy things. She usually just gives them a carrot, or a piece of apple stuck in the bars. Me? every morning for over two years I cut up a bunch of stuff fresh every morning. lol. He gets snowpeas, greenbeans, carrots, squash, red, yellow, or orange bell pepper... brocolli at least 3 times a week...sometimes other stuff depending on freshness... apple, and pear. Shares banana with me (only way he'll eat it. He sits on the counter every morning while I cut all this stuff up. Boy is he in for a rude awakening. lol. He's spoiled rotten, and he sure won't get that where he's going. He'll be well cared for... but he won't get his little feathered butt kissed like he does here. hahaha

I've decided to take the big heavy cage he is in instead of digging out his old one. I'm not going to add to his stress by changing his cage.

Unfortunatley I'm not going to have time to take him over there for a visit ahead of time. Too many things I need to take care of this week before we leave.

Ya know... I researched everything there was to know about Quakers before I got him... but never even thought about the trama it was going to be when I needed to leave him. I've had two dogs over the years, and while I didn't feel good about boarding them when I went on vacation... This is way worse.


btw... way ahead of you... already bought some new stuff for him. (as if he needed it... NOT) The problem is... the only thing he really enjoys is me.

Gosh - I know how you feel, I cry for days before we go and that's even if it's just for overnight. They steal your heart and soul. My boy sounds like yours - he sits on the counter while I cut up his vegies and he eats everything. When we go away, he does not get that, but he does survive - probably a lot better then you and I. My grandson comes over to take care of him and the other critters, and I have him call me each time he is over so I know for sure that he is there. Then I call him of and on during that time as well. Everyone thinks I'm nuts - but who else says: Good morning, I love you - everyday when I get him up.

Heck, I think that's perfectly normal!!! hee hee. As a matter of fact what a great idea to have your grandson call when he comes over. I'm going to remember to do that in the future if I have someone comming in to check on my guys.
I feel just like you guys do and I seem to find an excuse not to go away every time we plan something. I wonder if my DH has figured it out yet?
tikileahsmom



I got it! video tape yourself saying all his favorite things to hear and have your MIL play it for him at certian times of the day. Actually I wonder how our guys would feel if we did something like that. Might make it worse. hmmm
Marylee, at least once you get the trip over with and you get back and he's just fine, you'll feel soooo much better the next time you have to go away. Something tells me you're going to feel better after a few phone calls of knowing he's doing just fine.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you
tikileahsmom

Hubby and I had to go to FL after his Dad died in March. Our son (dog and bird sitter) has moved to MN so we had to have Gypsy stay at the vet for 4 nights. I was a wreck so I know how you are feeling right now. I wrote down her schedule-providing as much information as possible (I knew they wouldn't be able to match it 100%) & I called each day. Gypsy did great and didn't to suffer any ill effects. They all fell in love w/her. Good luck and enjoy your trip!