There is no doubt that our pets rely on us for everything. Because of this, even when we don’t feel like stopping what we are doing to fill their water bowls or we are too comfortable on the couch to take them out, it is not an option to stay put.
Each week, we clean Piper’s mansion. We never call it a cage; if you have seen it you know why. It is probably the most expensive piece of furniture in our house. The bottom of the mansion has a grate, under that is a tray we cover with newspaper. Piper never makes contact with the food or droppings captured on the lined tray because of the grate. We have found that seven days between cleanings is a good timeframe for us, sometimes we will change the paper mid-week, if needed. Twice a year, the manse is wheeled outside, all toys and perches removed before a thorough scrubbing occurs.
Read any story about Piper on Sister Rain and you know what he means to me. But I will fully admit that having to wash the mansion each week is a hassle. Mister Rain and I do it together, we each have different parts that we do. Operating as if performing a choreographed dance, we are able to to get it done in 30 minutes. Yet we both dread it. For awhile Monday mornings was the time, I joked that there was no better way to start the week than by getting dried bird doo-doo under your fingernails. Said in jest, it happens to be true: there is not a more optimal way to kick off another set of days then by taking care of your family member’s needs, making sure their home is sparkling and safe for them.
When a feathered or furry friend adopts us, the commitment we make to them is more than play and cuddles. It is down and dirty, it can be work and maintenance, just like every other relationship in our lives. But a little mess is a small price to pay for all the rest.
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