What to tell dd about giving away our bird

[Monkeyfeet]

First, I want to explain why we are doing this so that no one gets too angry that we are giving away a pet. We have 2 dogs, one with serious behavioral issues, 2 cats and fish. We also have a bird that has been part of out family for 8 years. He can be temperamental. He is a conure, so he has a very strong beak that could do damage to little fingers. So I am just not comfortable taking him out of the cage. I can not take him out of the cage and let him loose either because our one dog eats at the door until we let him in (yes we are seeing a behavior specialist at Cornell for him). If we let the dog in then he scares the bird. So it just is not fair to the bird to remain with us.

The perfect situation has arose and I feel very comfortable giving him to this couple. The woman used to be a breeder and has one bird now. She is also an bird educational volunteer for our local zoo. She has already purchased our bird a bigger cage and new toys. She lets her other bird out almost all day and will with ours as well. I still feel quite sad about this, but it is best for the bird.

So, the problem comes from not knowing how to tell dd. She just turned 3 and has never shown any interest in him unless it was to shake his cage in her earlier years. She loves her dogs and cats and to an extent the fish, but really doesn't seem to care for our bird.

When we have had to board our dogs in the past, we explain it by saying that they are going to a friend's house and she has seen the kennel. She is quite concerned while we are away from the dogs that they are not coming back. I am afraid that she will think that they definitely are not coming back after the bird is gone.

I think it would be too hard to have dd around when the bird leaves, so I will have to explain it at some point. I brought it up to her and she told me that she would miss him and she does not want him to go. I know that she will be ok with this.

So any ideas on what I could say?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Kelly

[pigpokey]

I would tell her that the bird wanted to move to live with the other bird. Then teach her the theme song from the Jeffersons. JK.

She may accept it from what you're saying; if she doesn't (or even if she does) you may want to sched a trip over there once the bird has had a chance to settle in to his new place.

[Rainbowbird]

We were in almost the exact same situation with our cockatiel. He wasn't a biter, but I wasn't able to give him the attention he needed after DD was born. DS liked him a lot, but also hassled him a lot, too! It was a big headache for me. We found a wonderful home with a bird-loving family and he now gets lots of flight time and attention, as well as the company of other birds.

We just explained that Kiwi would be living with his bird friends and would have more fun. We can go and visit him if we want, although DS never really asked so we didn't. He was okay with it; he actually reacted much better than I thought he would!

Good luck and I totally understand your situation. I'm sure it will work out fine!

[Mary]

We were in a very similar situation with our parrot. He was getting more and more unhappy and something had to give. My parents adopted him and have done so much better by him. I felt guilty as well, but the truth is, I had tried very hard to do better by the bird and had hit my limit. He deserved better. He is so much happier.

My son was 2 1/2 at the time. I told him the truth- that Simba was not happy and we were not able to give him what he needed. He was sad and to this day he remembers Simba flying over him when he was little (my son is 6 1/2 now). He does get to see him when we visit my parents about once or twice a year.

Good luck. I know it is hard, but it the new home sounds wonderful.