[Amie]

I think I got "my" first bird when I was 9. My mom had Greys growing up and was a foster parront, so we always had birds, but MY first bird was a beautiful lovie named Dawn. Beautiful. She hung out with me constantly, and I loved her, and when she died when I was 12, I was heart broken (necropsy showed she had a congenital defect in her heart, and the vet was amazed whe made it to 3 years old!)

And, my little lovie would have A LOT to say to your mom about smaller birds not having personality!! She was a complete birdie genius. She discovered how to get out of every cage we got her until we finally had to resort to padlocking the cage when leaving (we also had yorkies. . .who like to chase and try to eat little lovies!). She learned to chirp along during my clarinet and piano practice, and would sit on the barre and watch me practice ballet for hours, just chirping along to the music. That little baby was my heart.

I actually cannot ever own another lovie because she ruined me!! Every time I look at one, I get so sad and miss her. . .and it's been well over a decade since she died!!

And, I have to admit, that my mother made sure she was properly fed, watered, and cleaned the first year I had her. I was required to "help" her do this every time, but she just didn't trust me enough to do it myself. And looking back, I think she was probably right.