Timmy is a special-needs bird that I got from a client and a good friend of mine - Tom Bashaw of The Country Roost. He belongs to my 9-year-old daughter, Jessica and lives mostly in her room.

Timmy must have had some developmental problems or infection in his spine or brain as a baby as Tom tells me that he has always been like this. Timmy is as intelligent as any normal cockatiel but simply can't seem to stand up properly without wobbling. It's almost as though he has no sense of balance.

Despite his affliction Timmy is beloved by all who meet him. He is sweet and affectionate (lacking the power in his beak to bite hard anyway) and responds intensely to scritches and rubs.

Timmy lives in a specially suited cage with padding on the bottom, no perches and a lot of soft toys for him to play with. He is happy and we are lucky to have him.

Tom gave us a great gift when he let Jessica have Timmy.