I haven't been to a bird show
in years! If you have read my pages you know a bird show, several
years ago, left a horrible taste in the mouths of those who attended.
In fact, to this day, some pet/breeder stores close down for the weekend
the bird show is in town.
This is only as a precaution that no
one who attended the bird show would stop by touching their birds after
handling what could be potentially sick birds. I can not blame them
for this procedure because they are only looking out for the best interest
of their babies, their investment and in turn your baby if you are purchasing
one from them.
This year would be different.
Jerry took the camcorder recording several booths selling exactly what
I wanted in toys, branches, and other odds and ends, but this year he wanted
me to go back with him. He claimed there was just too much
to see and I would be unhappy if I missed all the sales. How could
I miss what I didn't know?
Jerry was correct about all the toys
and the great prices. I started at one corner picking up a
few things here and a few things there ending up with a lot of toys, branches,
and several beads and bangles to make my own toys.
Then just as we were making our way
around the last table I spotted this beautiful baby lovebird. He
was in full feather and about half the size of Benji. He was handfed
and socialized. The breeder reached in to get him, but I told her
I should probably not hold him. Not because I was afraid of contracting
a terrible disease, but because I was afraid I couldn't put him back!
She only smiled as she handed over
this precious little ball of feathers. He made baby sounds as I petted
and loved on him. Then the skies opened up, lightning struck
and I was mesmerized. I didn't hear the noises around
me only the baby sounds coming from within the cupped palms of my hands.
How could I resist this beautiful creature
who was in desperate need of a good home. It was closing time
and there was no chance of him going home with a new family.
You know how you exaggerate and are able to find several excuses when in
fact they are probably not true. *smile* But I
just knew he found his home.
My daughters and Jerry looked at me
in total disbelief knowing how I felt about bird shows. But their
words were only mouth movements as I heard nothing that hadn't run through
my mind already. Nothing that couldn't be fixed, nothing that
could make me put this beautiful baby back into the breeder's cage.
I looked at Jerry and he knew we had
a new addition. He took out his checkbook and began writing
out the amount. I was very surprised at the price as it was
much lower than I'd seen on the internet and also there at the bird
show.
But I had a feeling the breeder knew
her baby would be well taken care of and since it was near closing she
could leave knowing she found him a home.
I was in a daze quickly going
from booth to booth for a new cage and more toys needed for our new baby.
It wasn't until I got into the car that reality hit and I realized inside
the small box I had clutched in my hand was a sweet little bird.
In fact I could hardly remember what color he was. I thought of my
do's and don'ts and knew I just broke all of them!!
I looked at Jerry and with
what must have looked like a pitiful sight I asked "Why?"
At this point "why" was not
important. How and where took priority. How could I bring another
baby in so soon. And where were we going to put him?
It wasn't fair to Benjamin and Christopher they were so close and still
getting to know each other. Yet I was bringing home another lovebird
who could potentially cause big trouble between my content sweet babies.
But as I looked into those
big black eyes I knew we would work out all the how's and where's.
Because I had now taken on the responsibility of his caregiver and he deserved
the best I could offer as did the others.
