It all started out last year when I was looking in the pet store for a new fish to go in my fish tank. While I was watching I looked over at the sound of chirping. A beautiful gray finch with orange patches was sitting on his perch with a dozen others. I walked towards the cage "Tweet" he said. I fell in love with him. I asked the man if he was male or female. He said he was a girl (needless to say he was wrong) and I purchased him.

The next day he was looking droopy. He barely ever chirped. So I returned to the pet store and purchased Snowball, a chestnut flanked white female. The next day I checked the nest. It was filled to the brim with nesting materials and nestled inside..........an egg. I was so exited. Over the next couple of days she laid an egg. All until there were 5 eggs. They began incubating them, day in and day out. The first chick hatched. A CHICK!!! I skipped around the house in joy. The next day another hatched and that is the day I went to Pennsylvania. It was only for a few hours so I filled up their food and water dishes and left. When I returned I looked for Snowball, not in the nest, not on the perch, where was she? And then I spotted her, her tiny body immersed in the water dish. It turns out I was in such a hurry I put the lid on backwards. She had squeezed her little body in and could not find a way out. I bawled for days.

The next day the Tiger kept calling for his mate but stayed faithfully on his nest full of chicks. The chicks died one by one. The pain was unbearable. So I purchased one more female. Belle was her name. When I bought her I noticed her eye was damaged. She is partially blind in that eye and can barely see from it. I almost didn’t introduce her. But I thought of it and thought that she gave me a chance so I should give her a chance. Out of a good 2 dozen birds I wanted her.

I didn’t think anyone else would want to purchase her and I felt bad. A few months later I had eggs. They are now on their 3rd clutch.5 healthy chicks. Needless to say i'm glad I gave her a chance...................and i'm glad she gave me a chance at caring for her...........

Article © Paul & Deb 2003