#ringneck

I thought I found Echo a good home; about a week ago now, when I asked if I could mail her a birthday gift this coming May, I was told they would actually like to return her to me, as things aren't working out and the husband has given up on making any progress. I was completely side-swiped; that was the first time they expressed things weren’t going well; all prior check-ins said she was doing great. I was shocked they didn't talk to me sooner.

They turned down my offer to discuss in depth what was going on and to receive advice and guidance on what could be done or changed to address it. The wife said she was all for trying to keep Echo and talking ideas out with me; the husband unfortunately just wanted to get rid of her and give up.

Three months.

They had Echo for three months, and I had warned them that it took me three *years* to gain her trust. And at the first sign of issues, they decided to just give up instead of doing any work on it with me like we talked about during the adoption process.

They said she wasn't hurting herself thank goodness, (and having seen her now, I know this is true) so she hadn't relapsed completely into past destructive behaviors; they described her as just extremely stressed with their presence no matter what they did; i want to think think they didn't do anything wrong, I think Echo just said "no thank you,” and they weren't... willing to wait that transition out. Every bird is different. Echo is incredibly sensitive and prone to anxiety.

The happy news, is that I have arranged with my parents; they have adopted my other bird Bongo and taken on her full care, and I will take Echo in and keep her. She will move with me, and Bongo will stay with my family. I won't put Echo and I through this trauma again, we'll figure things out somehow. She's apparently happier with me even with what little time and toys I can give her, than being in a very wealthy family's home with every possible need met without hesitation.

I kinda died more than a little inside when I noticed her cage had not a single new toy in it when I went to get her. I don't know if that means those wealthy ass people didn't give her anything new (she really needs new toys), or if they decided to take back whatever was given when they decided to rehome her back to me. They plan to get another bird.

That said, I was foolish and did not put a "non refundable" clause in the adoption contract. I did not try to fight them on it. (I did refuse to pay extra for a soft-sided carrier they went and got her after they told me they "couldn't find" and had "lost" the nice hard sided one with a perch that she came with. I had originally offered to pitch in 20-30 dollars for it; then they sprung the "so venmo or zelle?" for returning the adoption fee. We ended up transporting her home in her cage after I took all the perches out and put a few sideways ones in so she had somewhere to stand while we drove home-- it was, fortunately, a very short drive)

The problem, is I have about $470 dollars to my name right now, and Echo's adoption fee was $300

My parents helped me through the crisis; paying it was gonna take me from a 2-3 month cushion of very carefully and strictly balanced expenses, to having no budget at all. I need to pay them back, and I am so *so* grateful that they're letting me do it in smaller lumpsums which is much more manageable than all at once. It's made their own budget exceedingly tight, but we're squeaking by this month so far.

We paid it on Wednesday, and it's left me more than a little panicking for the weeks to come because my entire family's budget is very tight and the bills keep coming. I am fortunately well stocked on kitty food, as I bought two bags on sale last month, so we'll be good for the entirety of May with the kitties. 

I'm trying hard to let go of the bitterness at realizing the family kept so many of Echo's belongings. She went to them with two bags overflowing with extra perches for her cage for changing up her digs for keeping it interesting, and two standing perches, one of which was COVERED in like... all her toys. When I asked where the rest of her stuff was during pickup, the husband played dumb, and I was legit so stressed out that I didn't even realize we didn't have Echo's standing perches until we were five minutes from their house. I texted to ask when we could come back for them.

They are ghosting me, and I am choosing to let it go. Lesson learned: some people aren't as nice as they seem, and are perfectly willing to screw you over even though they know all their needs are well beyond met, and you are struggling just to get by. (am I a little extra bitter at very obviously rich people stealing from someone who's basically broke and drowning in debt and they were perfectly aware of that? Oh yeah. GOK is gonna get some nice, niiiice drama worked out in it. C'mere Sentinel...)

I am literally booked on commissions right now for work I can handle, though I'll be open again for more in a week or two (i already have a waitlist, I am so excited! i just gotta finish these last few up so i can take on more work); I am struggling to make room to take on even more work. I hate to ask, I so so so so so hate to ask because I know everyone is struggling and this kills my pride to ask for help.

But any help at all for Echo's sake, would be invaluable and appreciated.

Please share this along? ;~;

Thank you for reading <3

as stressfl of a week as this has been, I am so, so, SO glad to have my baby girl home. Words cannot describe how I feel. Echo hsa settled in well-- she's already back to sassing me and has flown to everyone for treats. She's been making happy singing noises, and adapting to the changes in the house. She's in her own room, now, to keep Bongo and her both safe from each other, and to help the coming transition when we move together into hte new house this May.