Timber also saves his speech for when I leave the room. He rarely says words when I'm with him, but will whistle and click. When I leave, he starts talking. There is a bathroom close to his cage. If I go in there and shut the door, we sometimes have a "conversation" through the door. The minute I'm back in the room, silence.
Tikobird256, I feel your pain. I tried for almost a year to switch Timber to pellets. Every kind, every variety. Regardless of the pellet, he stares at me with that "you've got to be kidding me" look and refuses to eat any of them. I just try to feed him as much fresh stuff and things I fix as possible, and he does eat seed. You do what you can!
We don't exactly have a Christmas tradition with Timber, but he sure does enjoy tasting everything (or most things) I am cooking! I just gave him a boiled egg white from the deviled eggs I'm making.
Timber will shell peanuts, but that's about it. I have to crack almonds and others for him. I'm not sure if he can't do it (doubtful) or won't do it because he's lazy (probable).
I'm not really ahead of you on this one. From seeing them at bird fairs etc., my assumption is that they are called foot toys because they are things the bird can hold in with one "foot" while they chew. Maybe someone who really knows will come along and set us straight!
I've always wanted a Bengal. I remember seeing a video of one jumping from the floor to the top bunk of a bunk bed with ease. I can see why you could never trust them around a bird. I don't trust my two fat, lazy, unpredatory Maine Coons around Timber alone either, but they can't move with the speed and agility of a Bengal.
Very nice! Pretty cat too. Is that one of your Bengals? It may take him awhile, but I suspect Alfie will "take" to them eventually. He'll get past the "if I land there I will die" soon I'm sure.
The purpose of this forum (in my opinion) is to share our triumphs AND our sorrows. Most of the forum members have furbabies as well as fids. There is no reason why you should not share your loss with like-minded people. As for me, thinking of the ones I lost brings fond memories. I firmly believe I will see all my loved ones when I cross into eternity (human and nonhuman), so I see it as a temporary parting, not a forever goodbye.