Let's face it, there is no such thing as a "forever home". Even those with the best of intentions can be faced with a tragedy or life-changing event. This is my story...

My own life changing event came in the form of a divorce. I had endured years of abuse by my husband and in the summer of 2004, he had essentially deserted me to "work" nights and weekends. Then in the fall, he announced that he was leaving me. It was a whirlwind of events from there. I began to understand that I would have to make some very important decisions alone and for myself.

To make the story short, I was being forced into a life changing situation that I had no control over. It was not that I got bored or tired of taking care my tiels or that they no longer "fit" into my lifestyle.

My first thoughts were on how I would take care of my companions after the dissolution of my marriage. Although daily care and feeding would not be a problem, I knew that I would not be able to provide for all of the tiels should a serious medical emergency come up. Petunia was prone to become egg bound and DaddyByrd had past issues with his health.

Luckily, I was able to call my avian veterinarian, who knew and treated my birds, and relinquish them to her. I will never forget Skipper, DaddyByrd, Petunia and Sweetheart calling desperately to me as I departed the office. I had "adopted" them out to her on the agreement that she would keep them and not readopt them out. It has taken over a year for me to get the courage up to write this page.

Although I hope that you as a cockatiel lover will never be faced with this situation, I now know that it is sometimes forced and beyond our control.

I miss my cockatiels and I love them to this day. I will never forget the lessons that I have learned nor the joy that they brought to me for those years. My cockatiels truly are my best friends in this world and I hope that you find yours is, too.

If you are ever faced with this situation, please do not just put your bird in a local paper for sale or to give away. It breaks my heart to see the ads in the paper for unwanted cockatiels. You have a responsibility to try to find the best home possible, even if you are under great stress. Contact your avian veterinarian. A caring veterinarian will help to the best of their ability. There may be a local bird rescue, too. There are many out there, but please keep in mind that they may be over taxed and unable to take your tiel. They may have a network of foster homes available. Network and do your research. Whatever you do, don't just dump your tiel on someone who has no idea what they are about. You owe it to your little friend to do the best that you can.

Daddybyrd (Whiteface male).

Petunia (whiteface pearl hen)

Sweetheart (Whiteface Pearl male).

Skipper (normal gray male) rescue.