[@Raijinslayer]

My mom is pretty much terrified of everything that isn't a horse, fish, dolphin, or bird. And even then? She's still scared of some fish and birds. She's even scared of Jade. And she hates cats and dogs in houses and particularly doesn't like cats.

I still love them all, but I've been so used to just handling birds and reptiles most of my life I can't imagine having a cat or dog.

I used to own quite a few budgies. Some were certainly brighter than others. Emi was the smartest by far. Not just among the budgies, but all the birds I've had. Thinking back about her, she was astoundingly smart, unbelievably smart, and she had the biggest spirit I've ever had among my birds. And she really really loved us. She'd follow us around the house and try to get into mischief, and though she wasn't very big on being pet or cuddles (most my budgies didn't), but she'd still snuggle up beside me sometime when I'd fall asleep, and would get angry and attack anyone who tried to take her away. And when I was upset she'd begin preening my hair. And she completely took care of my parrotlet when he was recovering from nearly dying when before they got along really badly, would help him eat and show him around the house when his eyes wouldn't open for a few weeks and where to sneak food and how to suck up to my parents, and just, wow, she just hated him before but the moment she saw he wasn't feeling well she came to help him just as much as us. To date that is the only bird she's ever gotten along with. Most over birds were TERRIFIED of Emi. She was fearless and didn't know her size -and apparently none of the other birds did either, since she's made an African grey, cat, and lizard run away from her in fear. Not that I let her out around them, no. She (and Jade) were just sneaky little fellows and knew how to escape their cages whenever they wanted, and she just messed with visitors with pets. She was such a smart little bundle of feathers and I miss her so much sometimes.