Dogs & cats give you absolutely unconditional, unjudgemental love. birds are a little different. i actually think they reason well enough to hold grudges. but, would heaven be heaven without them? not to me. it's nice to have some"one" to come home to. it's nice to hear "hi" when i open the door. it's nice to have some"one" make a few demands, when i come home tired. some"one" who knows my routine, and, abides by it. and, here is where my bird really has the drop on people... i don't have to hand him money to shut him up. i don't have to drive him anywhere to shut him up. i don't have to have sex with him to shut him up. AND...he's a great listener. he even comments along the way when i am venting.