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My Dad passed away 8 months ago and my Mom is very lonely...she says the house is so quiet. She has always been a bird lover, and has had pet birds in the past. I would love to get her a pair of birds...I don't know if a pair is necessary, but is one oging to be lonely?? Anyway... I was thinking of a finch, something colorful, preferrably blue...like the Cordon Bleu Finch. Where do I buy these from? Can a local pet store order them for me, like Petco or Petsmart?
A pet or two is not something you should give as a gift. I know your intentions might be in the right place, but a grieving widow really doesn't need to have a pet thrust upon her when she is uncertain about her own direction now. One year is the general rule of thumb after the death of a spouse to make any changes to her lifestyle, including moving to a smaller place. She may actually want to move to another state and the birds would then be something else she would have to consider when making a move.
Be there for her if she needs to talk or vent or remember good times.
Give her four more months, then ask her if she would be interested in another pet bird. For now, perhaps a bird feeder for right outside a kitchen window would be a better avenue.
I appreciate your concern, but I already know my Mom would LOVE to have a pet bird. I've never heard of the one year rule, and it probably doesn't apply to everyone...certainly not my Mom. The only place she is going if she ever moves again is moving in with me and we are working on it. She has about 8 bird feeders outside of her home..I'm looking for something to chirp 'inside' her home so that it breaks up the silence.
My Dad passed away 8 months ago and my Mom is very lonely...she says the house is so quiet. She has always been a bird lover, and has had pet birds in the past. I would love to get her a pair of birds...I don't know if a pair is necessary, but is one oging to be lonely?? Anyway... I was thinking of a finch, something colorful, preferrably blue...like the Cordon Bleu Finch. Where do I buy these from? Can a local pet store order them for me, like Petco or Petsmart?
I am so sorry for your loss.
Is there any particular reason you thought of finches? They are beautiful little birds and can be wonderful company, but they aren't very interactive. We are all different, of course, but if it was me, I think I would consider a parakeet or cockatiel instead. They are reasonably inexpensive, quite bright in appearance and intelligence, can be handled, and some can even learn to speak a few words and/or whistle. It's just a thought...
For purchasing birds of any type, I am a big proponent of reputable breeders over any pet store. Please make sure you that whatever you opt for, you get a bird that is completely weaned.
My Dad passed away 8 months ago and my Mom is very lonely...she says the house is so quiet. She has always been a bird lover, and has had pet birds in the past. I would love to get her a pair of birds...I don't know if a pair is necessary, but is one oging to be lonely?? Anyway... I was thinking of a finch, something colorful, preferrably blue...like the Cordon Bleu Finch. Where do I buy these from? Can a local pet store order them for me, like Petco or Petsmart?
My Dad passed away 8 months ago and my Mom is very lonely...she says the house is so quiet. She has always been a bird lover, and has had pet birds in the past. I would love to get her a pair of birds...I don't know if a pair is necessary, but is one oging to be lonely?? Anyway... I was thinking of a finch, something colorful, preferrably blue...like the Cordon Bleu Finch. Where do I buy these from? Can a local pet store order them for me, like Petco or Petsmart?
I'm sorry for your loss and think it's very sweet of you to be concerned about your mom's lonliness. I'm not sure about the 1 yr rule of thumb either. I know I couldn't be alone that long. Finches are cute, but they really don't interract much. The Cordon Bleus are more fragile. A singing canary might be nice. I have 3 birds, all in separate cages and not in the same rooms. My largest is a Senegal, might be too big for your mom if you're thinking finches. I also have a Lovebird. It's a myth that you must have two Lovebirds together. I use to breed them years ago, and the perfect pet was a handfed Lovebird. Peach (lovebird) is 7 yrs old and still the sweetest bird. I also have a parakeet and she loves for me to sing and talk and is learning a few words. The trick if you're going to have one bird is that you need to spend time w/ it so it isn't lonely. Two birds will bond together and not to your mom like one bird will.
I'm sorry for your loss and think it's very sweet of you to be concerned about your mom's lonliness. I'm not sure about the 1 yr rule of thumb either. I know I couldn't be alone that long. Finches are cute, but they really don't interract much. The Cordon Bleus are more fragile. A singing canary might be nice. I have 3 birds, all in separate cages and not in the same rooms. My largest is a Senegal, might be too big for your mom if you're thinking finches. I also have a Lovebird. It's a myth that you must have two Lovebirds together. I use to breed them years ago, and the perfect pet was a handfed Lovebird. Peach (lovebird) is 7 yrs old and still the sweetest bird. I also have a parakeet and she loves for me to sing and talk and is learning a few words. The trick if you're going to have one bird is that you need to spend time w/ it so it isn't lonely. Two birds will bond together and not to your mom like one bird will.
A singing canary is a great idea. I hadn't thought of them.
Get a parakeet - those things are a riot. So happy and always seem to be playing. We taught ours to talk even.
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