Thanks Fuzzy. Oh I have researched A LOT! LOL For years actually. I have like 5 books of pet birds and and am always on bird sites, so I know quite a lot about them. Also, my best friend has a cockatiel and a conure, and she's had them for several years now. I'm so sure I want a cockatiel as my first bird and I'm very prepared and ready to take the responsibility. I'm SO excited. Hehe. I'm not really worried about my dogs and I think my maltese is actually good enough with small animals to get to play with my bird sometimes, but I will need to be certain about that first and be sure its safe. I don't think my kitty will ever get to meet my bird because she thinks birds are snacks. No way is she coming near my little birdie. She'll get all her loving downstairs.