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Holoholo%20Girl
On the Wings of Love

February 22, 2007

I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to heaven.



-Emily Dickinson



All my past boyfriends have had bizarre quirks I’ve had to accept or at least tolerate. One boyfriend watched Shawshank Redemption

daily, and was obsessed with Neil Diamond. Another was a chronic

masturbator. And yet another was a flier—of kites. He would insist on

taking me to kite festivals, conventions and stunt kite tournaments,

and even gave me a kite of my very own—mostly, I think, so I wouldn’t

have to touch his.

So I’ve come to find out recently that the new boyfriend has a special quirk, too. It’s an especially disturbing one for me.



He likes birds.



I think they’re fowl.



When he brought home the cockatiel, I squawked. I just don’t believe

birds should be pets—or caged, for that matter. I think they’re dirty,

loud, smelly and unaffectionate. I see nothing worthwhile about them

being domesticated. I told the bird so, but it simply turned its back

on me.

I informed the boyfriend we wouldn’t be keeping it. Begrudgingly, he acquiesced. “Just give me a week,” he said.



But then he took the thing out of its cage to perch it on his

shoulder like some ghetto pirate, and the damn bird began nuzzling him.

It even made these little cooing noises, which pleased my guy greatly.

When they began tongue-to-beaking each other, I walked away.

I felt bad. I certainly don’t want to deprive my dude of something that makes him happy. But, like, ewwww.



I decided over the next week I would go on a covert mission to find

something to like about birds, something that would make me tolerate

having one in my home. I started with The Pet Shop at the Maui Mall. I

emailed them, asking about the benefits of birds.

“People are generally very surprised to discover how intelligent

birds truly are,” wrote John Guard, “and, if it’s a young bird, how

amazingly friendly they become. It’s really very easy to become

incredibly attached to them. I believe if you give your new cockatiel a

chance, you’ll fall in love with him/her.”

Good to know but I wasn’t quite convinced. So I did the unthinkable

and joined an online open forum for birdbrains and enthusiasts called

www.BirdBoard.com. And then I chirped my plea.

“I have a little bit of a problem here, bird lovers—I’m not one.

Yet. But it seems my boyfriend desperately wants a cockatiel. Please

help me understand the joys you all seem to feel for these creatures!”

The response was overwhelming. Doyle’sMommy from Atlanta, GA was the first to reply:



“When I got my first bird I never knew how affectionate and loving

they can be!” she wrote. “I admit the first week was really tough, they

are a lot of work—keeping cages clean, fixing fresh food, etc. But the

first time Doyle fell asleep on my chest my heart was his. Here was

this tiny little creature who should be terrified of me and who instead

trusts me enough to turn over on his back and fall asleep on me. We

have had dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, but nothing compares to the love

and trust of a bird. It’s a bond that can’t be explained unless you

live it yourself.”

Copper was more illustrative about his/her love.



“Picture if you can, the first child born,” s/he wrote. “You go

through months of waiting and preparation, the pain of birth. Then

there is this wonderfully formed little being that needs you, as much

as you want him. You forget the pain, because you are holding this

precious gift, and even years down the road, you will remember the

first times… the first look of love and trust, the first steps… and

there will always be love, even if they tick you off.”

Aw, that’s so… strange. But sweet. And then “gbird” from Castle Rock, CO described his love for his budgie, “Pita.”



“I’ve learned patience that I never thought I would have,” he wrote.

“Even when he pooped on my PC monitor and shorted it out then said,

‘good boy?’ I couldn’t be mad at him. He’s my best friend.”

I read on.



“Hi and welcome to the board!” wrote {raddaughter}. “There are so

many ups and downs of parronthood. If I had to describe them in a human

form, they would be a toddler-teen. They are adorable but do throw

hissy fits and get angry for no apparent reason at times.”

“And they live longer than most pets,” wrote ROYJOY from Salt Lake

City. “I’m 58 and my new Sun Conure, Tiki, is nine months old and will

surely outlive me.”

Awesome.



“Once they love you it’s there forever,” wrote RingneckedPrincess

from California. “It is a deeper bond, at least for me, than any cat or

dog I ever had.”

“I love the fact they live so long!” wrote {raddaughter}. “When I

had two of our puppies die I realized that Harley was there, and she

would be for a long time. I have appreciation for all life, but the

fact parrots live so long is a comforting thought.”

By “long time” do you suppose they could mean “a week?”



Samantha Campos is currently trying to bring frumpy back. MTW