I guess I should take the opportunity (four entries into the blog) to tell you about myself. At the ripe old age of 34, I am about to embark on one of the biggest adventures of my life. I have six days left of employment as an accountant. Then, at the end of August, I will begin a Master’s program with an emphasis on English and Art History. I am excited beyond belief at the prospect of “following my bliss” but also scared half-to-death at the prospect of actually “following my bliss.”
My partner Shlomo and I reside in Houston, TX. We have been together for roughly three years. I brought two dogs to the relationship (a pug and a terrier mix). He brought four great college-aged kids. Together, we acquired a 120 gallon aquarium that houses roughly 45 African cichlids. They are beautiful and very calming.
Then, one day out of the blue…Erev Rosh Hashanah to be exact…Shlomo came home with a brilliant idea. Someone at his office had found six kittens in their parking garage. He thought we should take on in as a way to mark how thankful we were to begin the new year. Um, yeah…I had a cat for 10 years. If I never clean a litter box again, I am fine with that. I suggested maybe we get a few finches. I thought they were pretty and entertaining.
I do not want to sound completely irresponsible. I had done my research. I had parakeets (budgies) as a small child. Then, in junior high and high school, I had a cockatiel. He miraculously escaped right before my graduation. I will never be convinced that my dad did not “take care of” him so as to insure that he did not get stuck with it when I went off to college.
Anyway, I clearly knew what I was getting into. I knew how messy birds were. I knew that finches were not exactly “social” animals. They were really more for observation and entertainment. I was fine with that.
Shlomo and I discussed. He agreed that finches were probably a more appropriate pet to add to our menagerie. (Once you have fish, fowl, and mammals...it’s officially a menagerie.) I was particularly interested in a Gouldian finch because of their striking plumage. I assumed they were hard to find.
Following a small get-together the next day, we stopped at a local large-chain pet store. To our surprise, they actually had a male Gouldian finch. We took him home with two other finches.
Over the next few months, our finch collection grew. We found a great large cage/small aviary. It can house up to 20 finches. Currently, our collection is about 18. I don’t think it will grow beyond that unless there is some reproduction. We really aren’t about planned parenthood in the finch cage.
One thing you should know about Shlomo. He really does not do things half-way. He is a committer. He commits whole-heartedly. Once the decision is made, he goes for it. Personally, I don’t think he always has a logical reason for things. He follows his heart more than his head. But, I love this about him.
So, it was no surprise that for our finches, we sought out a specialty bird store. (We had one for the fish, so why not?) I often refer to this place as the “Creepy Bird Store.” That’s because it is. It’s not really their fault. I don’t know how you would really have a bird store without it being creepy. But, still…it is.
I will say, however, that just because it is creepy does not mean that it is not well-run. The birds always seem to be healthy. There is always a steady stream of bird enthusiasts (no matter when you go). I think I just get a little bothered by the fact that there are always a few dogs often with ailments roaming about. There are always a few rescued birds that seem to have no feathers (parrots have been known to go psychotic and mutilate themselves—especially the larger types). And, they have a pet monkey. I thought it was illegal for a while, but I found out one day that it is a retired service monkey who used to help with the handicapped. I don’t know why, but that made me feel better about that situation. I think the animals not for sale are mostly there because no one else will take them. They never bother me, they are just there. Our two dogs would never make it there.
As my description of the place demonstrates, I have been there more times in the past year than I can count. And, I admit it. I have always loved birds. I remember in the fourth grade, my mother (who was a school teacher) would let me walk to one store in the small town where I grew up so I could see the parakeets and cockatiels they sold. That is where one of my parakeets was purchased. Therefore, it is impossible to deny that I did not love seeing the birds when I visited the store.
They have a selection that is almost unparalleled. I have seen bird species there that I have never seen before. Most of the parrots are bred on the premises, hand-reared, and are remarkable docile.
So, I am assuming that Shlomo knew what he was getting into when he asked how long it would be before we broke down and got a parrot. If he did not, he is not as smart as I thought he was. And, at least in theory, he should be smart. He was Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown. But, that was long ago.
That is how little Loco, the white-bellied Caique, came to live with us. Shlomo, intentionally or not, posed the question. I was eager to move forward. Shlomo became just as eager. We are on day three. Let’s see how it progresses. So far, I have no complaints…except for that 6:35 wake-up call this morning.
