Post by brodysmom on Oct 2, 2006 10:45:19 GMT -7
I would love to know if anyone else has felt a healing effect from their feathered friends. Here is my story...
I grew up in a dysfunctional family (who doesn't these days?). My father was abused as a child, which naturally he brought this abuse down upon my brother and I to an extent. His father was an alcoholic. His mother wished she had never had children. My mother's side of the family was quite normal luckily, though my mother always sided with my father. I was never good enough for my father. Straight A student, varsity athlete, stayed out of trouble, etc., but it was never enough. I was grounded half of my life it seemed. I would look the wrong way and I would be sent to my room. My brother was a momma's boy, and usually had her to shield him. I didn't always get along with my mom, so I always felt very alone growing up. My brother and I are two years apart, and while we are the best of friends now, we practically hated each other growing up.
I relied upon the animals for comfort growing up. We had mini schnauzers and when I was 13 (and starting to go through the most difficult period of my life) we rescued a 1 1/2 year old or so CAG from the mall pet store. I honestly believe that these animals kept me going each day. They were unconditionally loving and they didn't judge me. Well, the CAG liked to remove chunks of flesh from my hand, but eventually he and I formed an understanding. I would never hurt him, so he didn't need to hurt me.
When it was time to go to college, I couldn't wait to get out. After graduation, I was strapped for cash and had to move back in with my parents. Within a year I moved back out. I wanted my freedom and independence which I had grown used to in college and they wouldn't let me have it. 2 years after graduation, my company was bought out and I was offered a position in Denver, CO. I didn't really think twice. I took it.
I packed up my stuff, sent the moving truck out and drove out over a weekend. I was completely free and on my own! Well I soon found myself completely lonely. I needed a parrot, another CAG preferably. I met someone at work whose wife was active in the parrot community in Denver. She gave me the names of several breeders in the area.
I made some phone calls and found a 6 mos old CAG that was not wanted. Her breeder in CA fell ill with cancer and the room where all of the babies were was broken into by raccoons. A cage of babies next to this CAGs cage was slaughtered. This baby CAG was left in the care of the breeders husband and son who finished the weaning process, but didn't really socialize with the birds. All of the other babies sold except this one. Somehow, she ended up with the breeders friend in CO, in the hopes of finding it a home. The baby bit everyone and was scared of anything that moved near her. One look in those eyes and I knew she needed me as much as I needed her.
I named her Brody (love that name, and we didn't know if it was a male or female). I brought her home and slowly, over time, we formed a bond. She realized that I wasn't going to hurt her and that life was rather calm around me.
2 weeks after I brought her home, I met my boyfriend, Tod. Life was great... About 6 mos into our relationship, the excitement was gone, and I was back to feeling, well, not happy. Tod and I fought a lot more over the next year or so. Brody, sadly, had to deal with me not always being there for her too. While she still had a lot of toys and a wonderful diet, I neglected to give her the one on one attention she deserved. This made me feel even worse inside. Things with my parents weren't any better either. My father had said some really nasty things in an email this past winter, and that was pretty much what shut me down. The next 6 months were a downward spiral for me.
27 years of repressing feelings finally caught up with me. I couldn't hold anymore in. I was a total mess. Things with Tod were near a breaking point this summer when he finally made me go to the doctor. I was diagnosed with severe depression. I started to realize how much time that took away from Brody. I began the medication which helped to give me the strength to not just sit on the couch watching TV or staring at my computer screen. Brody became part of my treatment. I made a tearful promise to her that as long as I was in the house, she was going to be out on her cage or out with me, depending on what I was doing.
Over the last two months or so, she and I have grown so much together. I thought our bond was strong before my life took a sharp turn for the better. It's incredible now. It is amazing how much joy she brings me. She has been happier too lately, as my boyfriend has commented. I think she was more affected by my mood than I ever thought she could be.
Around the time of my diagnosis, I started researching greys, reading every article I could find. She had been getting a solid diet, but I decided to switch her over to all organic foods. I actively share my dinner with her now, instead of giving her some of my dinner after I had finished eating. I found this forum eventually and signed up. I have learned so much. I can't thank my boyfriend enough for loving me so much and making me go see our doctor. And I can't thank Brody enough for being so forgiving and so loving too. She is my focus now. I get up each day and I get my strength from her, knowing that she needs me for survival. I am determined to be the best birdie-mom I can be. I truly look forward to each day with her. I only hope that I have given her the best life possible, and that each day I bring her as much joy and happiness that she has given to me.
Sorry this was so long, and thank you for reading. I just wanted to share how my CAG helped me begin a healing process this summer.
I grew up in a dysfunctional family (who doesn't these days?). My father was abused as a child, which naturally he brought this abuse down upon my brother and I to an extent. His father was an alcoholic. His mother wished she had never had children. My mother's side of the family was quite normal luckily, though my mother always sided with my father. I was never good enough for my father. Straight A student, varsity athlete, stayed out of trouble, etc., but it was never enough. I was grounded half of my life it seemed. I would look the wrong way and I would be sent to my room. My brother was a momma's boy, and usually had her to shield him. I didn't always get along with my mom, so I always felt very alone growing up. My brother and I are two years apart, and while we are the best of friends now, we practically hated each other growing up.
I relied upon the animals for comfort growing up. We had mini schnauzers and when I was 13 (and starting to go through the most difficult period of my life) we rescued a 1 1/2 year old or so CAG from the mall pet store. I honestly believe that these animals kept me going each day. They were unconditionally loving and they didn't judge me. Well, the CAG liked to remove chunks of flesh from my hand, but eventually he and I formed an understanding. I would never hurt him, so he didn't need to hurt me.
When it was time to go to college, I couldn't wait to get out. After graduation, I was strapped for cash and had to move back in with my parents. Within a year I moved back out. I wanted my freedom and independence which I had grown used to in college and they wouldn't let me have it. 2 years after graduation, my company was bought out and I was offered a position in Denver, CO. I didn't really think twice. I took it.
I packed up my stuff, sent the moving truck out and drove out over a weekend. I was completely free and on my own! Well I soon found myself completely lonely. I needed a parrot, another CAG preferably. I met someone at work whose wife was active in the parrot community in Denver. She gave me the names of several breeders in the area.
I made some phone calls and found a 6 mos old CAG that was not wanted. Her breeder in CA fell ill with cancer and the room where all of the babies were was broken into by raccoons. A cage of babies next to this CAGs cage was slaughtered. This baby CAG was left in the care of the breeders husband and son who finished the weaning process, but didn't really socialize with the birds. All of the other babies sold except this one. Somehow, she ended up with the breeders friend in CO, in the hopes of finding it a home. The baby bit everyone and was scared of anything that moved near her. One look in those eyes and I knew she needed me as much as I needed her.
I named her Brody (love that name, and we didn't know if it was a male or female). I brought her home and slowly, over time, we formed a bond. She realized that I wasn't going to hurt her and that life was rather calm around me.
2 weeks after I brought her home, I met my boyfriend, Tod. Life was great... About 6 mos into our relationship, the excitement was gone, and I was back to feeling, well, not happy. Tod and I fought a lot more over the next year or so. Brody, sadly, had to deal with me not always being there for her too. While she still had a lot of toys and a wonderful diet, I neglected to give her the one on one attention she deserved. This made me feel even worse inside. Things with my parents weren't any better either. My father had said some really nasty things in an email this past winter, and that was pretty much what shut me down. The next 6 months were a downward spiral for me.
27 years of repressing feelings finally caught up with me. I couldn't hold anymore in. I was a total mess. Things with Tod were near a breaking point this summer when he finally made me go to the doctor. I was diagnosed with severe depression. I started to realize how much time that took away from Brody. I began the medication which helped to give me the strength to not just sit on the couch watching TV or staring at my computer screen. Brody became part of my treatment. I made a tearful promise to her that as long as I was in the house, she was going to be out on her cage or out with me, depending on what I was doing.
Over the last two months or so, she and I have grown so much together. I thought our bond was strong before my life took a sharp turn for the better. It's incredible now. It is amazing how much joy she brings me. She has been happier too lately, as my boyfriend has commented. I think she was more affected by my mood than I ever thought she could be.
Around the time of my diagnosis, I started researching greys, reading every article I could find. She had been getting a solid diet, but I decided to switch her over to all organic foods. I actively share my dinner with her now, instead of giving her some of my dinner after I had finished eating. I found this forum eventually and signed up. I have learned so much. I can't thank my boyfriend enough for loving me so much and making me go see our doctor. And I can't thank Brody enough for being so forgiving and so loving too. She is my focus now. I get up each day and I get my strength from her, knowing that she needs me for survival. I am determined to be the best birdie-mom I can be. I truly look forward to each day with her. I only hope that I have given her the best life possible, and that each day I bring her as much joy and happiness that she has given to me.
Sorry this was so long, and thank you for reading. I just wanted to share how my CAG helped me begin a healing process this summer.
.
my birds .....