Evan's New Love

[Doyle'sMommy]

We have been visiting a pet store that has an African Grey for a few months. There is one that still has not sold after at least 4-5 months. Problem is he is not very friendly and is scared to death being out in the open with people poking at him and trying to touch him. Anyways the bird hates me and tries to bite me. But he has always had a thing for Evan. He usually lets Evan touch him and will step up for him. We went back on Friday and he was even more in love with Evan. He turned over on his back and let him rub his belly and under his wings. He even let Evan scoop him up under his belly to pick him up. If Evan would try to walk away he would bang his beak on the glass to try to get his attention. He preened Evan's hair and let Evan kiss him! :eek: Oh my gosh if you knew this bird and how mean he is to everyone else! It was amazing, Evan and I just stood there with our mouths hanging open. Evan really wants him and while I wouldn't mind having him either, we have gotten 3 birds in 3 months and I am beginning to feel a little nuts, lol. I love all my birds (even if Danny doesn't love me, lol) and wouldn't trade them for anything but we are still getting everyone settled. Am I being mean by not letting Evan get him? (Evan has been calling him by name btw- Shredder, lol) We made a deal that if he is still there in a month he could get him, and based on his attitude and price, I am sure he will still be there.

[Archive]

Tiffany....No, you are not being mean. Best to stay out of pet shops though if ya don't want or can't have any more birds. They charge such high prices also (I would never pay those prices myself). I know how it is though when ya fall in love with a pet shop bird needing a home. Ya just want to scoop them up, love them and take them home to a nice warm cozy place. I think you will make the best decision for all concerned when the time comes.

[Tiki]

Ooooh, Evan has been chosen! It's really hard to say no when a bird chooses you! I think in one month you will have a new fid :applause: and a firm resolve to stay out of pet stores! :doh:

[Machelle]

oh my. :eek: I agree. Evan has certainly been chosen. Without a doubt. I agree with Tara. I think you'll have a new fid soon. I dont think you are being mean at all. Thats a lot of birds to get in a short period of time. I actually, have done the same thing. Its hard not too, actually....especially when they choose you like he chose Evan. That's a doosie. I can safely go into pet stores now because I promised hubby that Raeka was the last bird so now I just visit to see what they have. I do have to say that its amazing that hes chosen Evan like he has. That's pretty incredible. B y the way, is it a Congo or a Timneh?

[Doyle'sMommy]

He is a congo. From what they told us his last owner sold him to the pet store and he is about 5 years old. Evan wants to go see him today, so we are going for a visit. I have a feeling we'll be visiting quite often. :rolleyes: He's just so overpriced- $1299. I know we can get one from a breeder for alot less and maybe one from a breeder would like me too. Usually we are fine going into pet shops and just like to visit all the birds, but this one really loves Evan.

[Amanda]

I say try to make them a deal. If he's been there that long, and is that old, he definitely isn't worth that much money. Chances are they're tired of getting bit and will let him go.

I made the mistake of falling for a grey that was the same way with me as Shredder is with Evan. I wanted him, but the store wouldn't compromise on price or even take money down on him. They ended up moving him to another store where he was sold within a week. I was so heartbroken, and still am. I sure wish I knew where he was, and that he was happy.

[Abby]

I don't envy you. It's so hard to say no when the bird has picked out who it wants to be with. Evans obviously in love too.

[Kateykat]

I don't think its mean at all. I have major problems going into petstores where birds are sold. Hubby has to drag me away most of the time, cause I am the weirdo who has her face pressed up to the bars talking to the birds inside. We are getting one more fid and then that's absolutely it. At least you are thinking about it before just jumping in and bringing him home, though I agree with everyone else sounds like Evan has been chosen big time. Good luck, will be watching to hear if there is any good news

[Doyle'sMommy]

We went and saw him again today. We stayed for about an hour or more and then went to another petstore to buy some toys for the fids. Evan picked out a toy for Shredder and wanted to bring it to him, so we did. We ended up putting a deposit down on him. :clap: So now we have a little more time to get a cage and get things settled at home. It was hard to leave him, but I am sure we will get him soon and we will be able to visit.

[Kateykat]

Congrats to you and Evan!!

[Doyle'sMommy]

We are very excited! Here are some pictures of "Shredder", we will be giving him a real name soon. Sorry they're so bad, all I had was my cell phone camera.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/Cantwait4mybabies/Shredder.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/Cantwait4mybabies/Shredder2.jpg

[Kateykat]

Sure looks like love to me! Love that one of Evan kissing him. Very sweet indeed.

[Abby]

He's gorgeous Tiffany. Looks like my husbands relationship with our GSC2. To be honest I actually like the name Shredder. Sounds like a character from WWF. Congrats to you both.
:clap:

[gayla]

Makes me want to get one. Birds are like Tattoos, you can't get just one!

Congrats, love watching the family grow

[Machelle]

LOL! I knew you'd get him! Congrats!! I think its it wonderful since he chose Evan!!:clap: He's very cute!!!!!

[Tiki]

WOW! Congrats, Tiffany! :dancing: Somehow I just KNEW you couldn't say no to a cutie who wanted to be with Evan that badly! They look so much in love! :bird:

[Doyle'sMommy]

Bad news! Evan got a call this morning that they cannot hold the bird, even though they said they would and took our money. The person said that they have other people interested in him and it came off like they wanted to sell him right now and that's why they were being like this. So Evan is going to ask for our money back because he is very mad at them and he is sad about not getting Shredder. But hopefully he gets a good home. They better give us our money back!

[Doyle'sMommy]

Okay they will refund our money. I am so sad and I know Evan is too, but he feels like they lied to us just to get our money and he told them he will never shop their again. Poor Evan, he really wanted him. Where's the sad face smiley when you need it?

[Machelle]

Oh Tiffany!! I'm so sorry!!!! :hugs: That really stinks!

[Amanda]

That sucks so bad. Those people suck, that's a disgusting thing to do.

[Tiki]

:( OMG, that is so unfair! They took your money and promised to hold him, isn't that some kind of a contact? That's why I hate most pet shops, they just want the money and don't care if the bird is happy. Anyone can see that Shredder was in love with Evan!

[Doyle'sMommy]

Well we didn't sign a contract. And Evan is so mad at them that he doesn't want to give them any of his money. Poor Evan, I thought he was going to cry. But he wants to get an extra cage at the bird fair next month and go to a breeder and get a baby TAG or CAG.

[Valo's Moirana]

i'm sorry to hear that tiffany... i agree with a lot of aspects on the petstores... we got bella from the petco where gayla worked, and we ran into some issues too... we ended up getting the bird nevertheless, paying more money that we would have buying from a breeder, but that little girl was worth all the hassle and the extra on the financial side.
but you will come across another gray who will steal your heart (but let me mention that you probably won't forget shredder... i stopped at a store in san franciso while i was running, and they had a really pretty dusk-headed conure, after flirting with him for about 10min he came to the front of the cage, and i swear if i could have brought him with me i would have - still thinking about that little guy)

[Doyle'sMommy]

I know you're right Bee, we feel just awful about it. It's crazy how attached we had gotten to the idea of him being in our home in just a day. Makes me sad to think about it. But all I can hope is that he goes home with someone who will take good care of him. I just feel so bad for Evan because this was going to be his bird.

[Valo's Moirana]

I just feel so bad for Evan because this was going to be his bird.

you know what i'd say to this? go get him.... we bought bella because of her, and despite the fact that we supported the store that doesn't seem to care about the birds and treated one of my friends badly (gayla) but in the end it was about the bird

[Amanda]

That's a good idea Emily. Maybe talk in person to the manager, and if that doesn't work, tell them you'll go corporate. It shouldn't matter if other people are interested in him, you agreed to pay the same amount as they did, and you gave your money first.

It's worth the shot.

[Machelle]

I agree. I would call them and see what they can do. I'd pissed for you! This is just crap!:swearing:

[Valo's Moirana]

when we got bella, they would not take a down payment. i ended up going to the store and paying for her but leaving her until BF came and then we picked her up.
IMO screaming and yelling won't get you very far... nevertheless, it is their decision how they handle their sales, and complaining isn't gonna help (granted it might make you feel better for a while). if i were in the situation, i'd spend some time trying to figure out if i really want the bird, and if it turns out that i do i'd go get the baby and then cut ties with the store.
i do agree with emily though that a verbal agreement is like a written contract... if they promised to hold the bird, they are strictly speaking liable to do so (as far as i know). however, the person who made the promise might not be in the position to do so...
just my 2 cents.

[Doyle'sMommy]

Evan said the lady that called him was really rude and acted like he was an idiot for thinking they could hold a bird. She also told him that if he did want to hold the bird he would have to sign a contract and acted like he was dumb for not signing one. We asked them when we were there if we needed to sign something and they said no. She said that the people that took our money and made the agreement did not have the authority too. Complete BS if you ask me.

[Valo's Moirana]

but that's what i thought... that they didn't have the authority to make such decisions... too bad... it sucks if giving a bird a new home is blocked by stupid comments and people....

[Abby]

I've just caught up on this. I am so sorry for you and Evan. It just doesn't sound right to me.

[Doyle'sMommy]

Oh gosh, you all are going to think we are crazy! Evan now has his heart set on getting an African Grey so we are visiting the babies that we were originally going to get before we were blessed with Danny & Princess. We are going on Thursday night and Evan is set on getting one of them. They will be ready to go home in about a month and a half. So wish us luck that he bonds with one, I know his heart is broken over Shredder.

Oh and btw the lady at the petstore said Shredder was a rescue (a $1299 rescue? :crazy: ) and that she would have to come and inspect our home if we wanted him. I am so done with that petstore and their shady practices. I hope the person who is buying Shredder takes good care of him.

[Machelle]

ok.....I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. MAYBE you weren't meant to get Shredder because you were meant to get another grey baby and THAT'S the grey for you....just a thought. Like I said, I think everything happens for a reason and maybe a grey baby will be better for your household. :)

[Abby]

Far from thinking you're crazy. I suspect Evans' interactions with Shredder went a long way to confirming what his heart desired. What has happened sux espiecially for Shredder. Hopefully things go well for him and someone who loves him as much as Evan ends up being his new parront.
It's going to be a long 6 weeks waiting for you guys to get this new bub, and that's just for me.;)

[Kateykat]

That store sounds really dodgy. It just doesn't sound right. I think you are doing the best thing by cutting all ties with them, I feel so bad for Shredder though. I hope he ends up getting a wonderful home. Its a shame because he sounded like her really took to Evan.
Hope it all works out with the babes you are going to visit.

[Amanda]

Does sound very shady. Oh well, you will find the perfect grey for your family. That's the best way to look at it, it just wasn't meant to happen.

[Doyle'sMommy]

Thanks everyone for your support! I am so excited to meet the babies! We are going to make a special toy for him/her tomorrow to bring. Do they play with toys this young? I think they hatched in early November.

[Tiki]

That store sounds really dodgy. It just doesn't sound right. I think you are doing the best thing by cutting all ties with them, I feel so bad for Shredder though. I hope he ends up getting a wonderful home. Its a shame because he sounded like her really took to Evan.
Hope it all works out with the babes you are going to visit.
Yeah, it really sucks that Shredder didn't get a vote! :pissed: Now that Evan knows he clicks with African Greys, hopefully he will be chosen by another one whose seller cares more about the bird's happiness.