The Citron-crested Cockatoo really stands out with the orange feathering in its crest and cheeks! It is the most striking of the six subspecies of the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos!
rosie - 2012-03-22 Is it ok to feed a cockatoo or any bird milk?
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Charlie Roche - 2012-03-22 A little sip is not going to hurt them but they can't digest milk - at all. They are lactose intolerant and just can't digest milk or other dairy products.
JOHN - 2011-01-22 I have a pair of citrons that are approx 11 and have been together a long time. I want to put a breeding box on or in their cage and have been told to build a 12"x12"x24" t box. I don't understand the layout of a t box. Can someone help me 850-653-5114
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Charlie Roche - 2011-08-18 If you use a wooden box for Citrons = they will eat it faster than you can fix it. Suggest you go to China Praire farm and buy one. They are made from PVC = I blelieve. Still will chew but pretty indestructible. Other thought is a drum = I like the China Prarie with see doors and easy removal if need be.
Lara & Matt - 2008-02-15 We just bought our citron from my boss. His name is Sinbad. We first met Sinbad while my boss was away on vacation and I was caring for all his birds. He has 27 birds of different kinds. Sinbad immediately flew to me and it took me a while to get him off when it was time to leave. My boyfriend would come to help me sometimes and Sinbad loved him too. He would fly back and forth between us, and it was hard to get anything done! Hey, its not easy sweeping under dozens of cages with a bird hanging off your chest! After my boss came back, Sinbad would sometimes bite him and seemed unhappy. When we would come to visit Sinbad would come right to us, talking and playing! This is very unusual because I have heard they have very strong bonds with their owners. My boss owned him for 12 years, since Sinbad was a baby! After a lot of begging, he agreed to sell us the bird. Whatever the reason he took to us, we feel blessed. Sinbad is such a joy to have around. He has such a personality, and everyday is full of new surprises! He does demand a lot of attention. Luckily, Matt and I usually work seperate shifts, because Sinbad doesnt like being in his cage. He chews anything he can get his beak on, so he has to be caged when no one is home. If you have A LOT of extra time and energy, a cockatoo is a good choice. They are so loving and wonderful companions. But its almost like having a child, very high-maintainence! They have needs that must be met. If you cant make a commitment to your cockatoo, maybe you should look into a different kind of bird.
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james - 2010-10-11 I think this is gonna be the right bird for me but the high maintenance part scares me. How exactly are they? I'm currently renting and my landlord also stays in the yard. Do they make a lot of noise?
paige - 2010-03-14 I'm looking into getting a cockatoo and am willing to spend the time with one but am I ok to go to work for 9-10 hours at night or will that be too much time alone? I have been looking all day and can't find anything that says how much time is really ideal for spending with a cockatoo all I can find is how important it is to spend the time. Can anyone help me with this question Please! -Paige
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mike - 2010-03-16 It really depends on the bird. birds are like humans they all have different personalities so there will naturally be needy ones, noisy ones, quiet ones..... etc. Cockatoos are people birds, they really really like human attention but I feel like most of the time because they are so affectionate the label given to cockatoos is exaggerated. ALL birds need attention just like a toddler however, some require less. If youre worried about it dont get a bird, or better yet hang out at your local exotic bird store for an hour a day or a couple hours a week and see what bird chooses you. I guarantee you'll make time for the one bird that chooses you :-)
Island mom - 2010-04-15 It's good you're asking! No! Especially a cockatoo! Even my cockatiel breeds more than that! No pet should be alone for that amount of time! Not even a cat! But Cockatoos will be miserable! So do like I did and wait! There's no way you can have little children or be that busy and own a cockatoo! Um a stay home mom with two teenagers and other pets!
I adopted a Citron Cockatoo a few months ago! I adore her but she is a ton of work! I had read and researched everything and I am still shocked by the neediness!
So please! Get a cool fish tank! They are incredibly enjoyable and relaxing! Any other pet you aquire will need more attention than you can give being gone that long.
All the best! Oh, one more thing! My Cockatoo screams! Really really loud!!! Until you have o e you won't believe it! I live her but it drives everyone else crazy!
Ali - 2010-04-17 Cockatoos do require a lot of time! I think it varies to some degree with each bird. If you are working at night, I think you will be okay, just be sure to spend time with your bird during the day. Birds have to sleep too! It's a good idea to keep a lot of toys in their cage especially wood toys they can chew up. As you've probably heard, they do love to chew and they also need to have something to keep their minds busy since they can also become bored and start feather plucking. The best advice I could give to you would be for you to contact the nearest AVIAN vet & speak with them about specific requirements for cockatoos. Besides, you will also need a good avian vet should you decide to go ahead and get a bird!
Mike Scott - 2011-01-13 Paige, You need to spend 3-4 hrs of quality time with him or her. They must be out of the cage on a perch for at least the same amount of time. If not have a spouse for them (another bird to mate with will provide company). If they don't get the attention have toys and things that can occupy their time so they won't pull out their own feathers being bored to death.
Mike Scott - 2011-01-13 Paige, As far as your work goes at night that is OK, as long as you can put them to sleep before you leave, when it is lights out they can be happily alone in their cage from dark to morning without noise as long as they don't hear you stirring around. Once they're up usually around sunrise they like company. Leave them alone for 5 min. and hello they will call you back.
Vickie Sipes - 2007-08-27 I have been given a citron-crested cockatoo by a family member who just couldn't for health reasons keep him any more. I named him big dude. He had pulled just about all his feathers out because he had lost his mate. My aunt passed away and gave him to her son who has now given him to me along with a green parrot. He has just started to fluff again. I can't wait to see how pretty he will be when his feathers come back in. He hasn't had any for`3 years. He does screech and hiss at me but he also loves to be petted. He shakes the door of the cage to get out, I was told to keep it padlocked because he can get out and he has when I change the water and food. Hilarious. He sees the keys and goes nuts. I have only had him for a week and I think he is the funniest thing I have seen in along time. I wish I knew what to do to tame him further. He bows his head to be petted and he lets me rub his whole body, also he raises his wings to allow me to rub beneath them also. He appears to be really intelligent. It took him a whole three days to start imitating my alarm clock by beating his roost with his foot. Funny! Also the green parrot is basically viscious I am more afraid of it than big dude.
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Rick Houchen - 2011-01-14 I own 1 U2 and 2 Goffin 2's, and we are considering re-homing a Citron that has been owned by the same person for the past 9 years but due to financial reasons she is having to down size her flock, he is a beautiful bird based on photo's and we are going to see him next weekend, my question to you is how is your bird "now", has he gotten over the stressful move and has he bonded to you? That is my concern as well as the current owner on how Sydney will take the transfer from his current home to our home, he will have lots of interaction with me and my wife and toys plus a large bird room that he will share with my other 3 toos, please give me feed back on how your citron is doing now?
Elizabeth - 2011-04-11 Hey Rick, IDK if anyone responded to your post, but I gave a home to A citron, her old owners had to give her up, they had her since a baby and she was then 12 years old. I was told she prefered men. Well once I got her home I kept her cage in the bedroom for quarantine from my other birds, I would let her out of the cage and would just hang out in the room talking to her. I didnt push trying to pet her, and she did hiss/act tough during this time. Within 2-3 days max she wanted or needed to be pet so badly that she approached me and put her head down for scratches. Once she felt that I was able to give "approprite" scratches it was done, she let me pet her anywhere, handle her completely etc, and I am a woman. She did seem bonded with my boyfriend stronger than with me, but that never stopped me or her from bonding. (I am the main caregiver to the birds) Today, 3yrs after we adopted her, I feel her bond is stronger to me than my boyfriend, (its not I'm just saying to let you know the one sex preference isnt set in stone
So I feel the cockatoo's transition easier than other parrots... my african grey took months to let me handle him. I adopted him (8 y/o) 4 yrs ago.
I do hope you respond, I'd love to know if you adopted the citron and if you found the same to be true
Charlie Roche - 2011-04-11 It sounds like you are doing an excellent job of taming him. Just keep on doing what you are doing. Go slow. Let him eat from your hand. When you are ready, feed him with one hand and say "UP" and see if he will get on your other hand. The idea is to gradually get him away from his terrirotry (cage) and more into yours (perch). You're petting his head and he is lifting his wings. He lost his mate and he was obviously a pet at one point based on his behavior. I have a 26 year old cockatoo mate - good luck and let us know.
Linda Fleming - 2012-01-08 I have had oliver my citron cockatoo for Ten years now and you're right they are very funny and loving pets. I give her milk bone doggy biscuits and she dunks them in her water before eating them. I had thought that oliver was a male, which the pet shop had told me she was. Seven years later she laid an egg I found it when I came home from work at the bottom of her cage. I didn't have the heart to change her name because she says her name all the time so I figure what the heck! Oliver, Olivia - she's happy and at least now I know I have a female. The green parrot sounds like it may have been mistreated in its past.
Dena - 2011-03-14 My neighbor has a female Citron Cockatoo and is wondering if there is anything she can be given or that can be done for her to either slow or stop egg production. She has been egg bound a couple of times and my neighbor knows how to help her with that. But they do not want any babies and she is an only child in their home. Any suggestions will be appreciated. :) Thank you
James - 2007-02-14 I have been the proud owner of a citron cockatoo named boo boo,he is approx. 2 years old? I was told by this reputable store, that the last owner had kept him in a cage with no toys and locked in the spare room by himself! That the bird was owned by the husband who wanted to keep him, and a wife that wanted absolutely nothing to do with the bird. I'd would have let her go instead! --so lucky for me, boo boo is mine now and I wish I could meet with the people who let him go--really bad decision! Boo now walks out onto my hand from inside the cage and has a great vocabulary! It was such a sad story, because he is so charming. The stores problem, was every time anyone showed interest, boo boo would run amuck in the cage, or, as they put it "he's a psycho bird" Boo boo does not bite, scream or chew. He now has more love and toys now than he could know what to do with. If you have patience--these birds are greeeat!!
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Camera - 2010-09-19 Hi James!
I had to write, because we have a little girl citron -- also named Boo Boo! Our Boo Boo is eight years old, and she would like to get married. Where do you live?
Barbara Platt - 2010-07-08 My Cockatoo is 20 years old I just got her about two ago. I would like to teach her some new words to say could you tell me how I could do this she always says Hi Gooby. Gooby is her name. She will not say anything when new people are around she also likes to laugh and it sounds just like my laugh. I have read some of the stories and my bird is an angel. Give me some tips how to teach her new words.
Bonnie Cook - 2007-10-29 We have a 9 year old citron cockatoo that we inherited from a cousin. Toulouse (female) is a very sweet bird. She is one of two birds in this family -- we also have an african grey. Toulouse is quiet except when it is time for the lights to be off for her to go to sleep (thankfully we go to bed about the same time so that isn't a problem). The move between owners I believe was stressful for her -- citrons don't like change because of how they bond with their owners. Thankfully she developed a good bond with my partner. She is out of her cage most of the day since I work from home. She won't come to me -- in fact I think she tolerates me. Still, she is a joy to have and an absolutely beautiful bird. As I mentioned she has bonded with my partner and allows her to hold her, pet her, etc. We have had her now about a month and a half and are hoping that she continues to grow comfortable in her new home. It has been a huge change for her. We also had to change her diet since the previous owner feed her mostly seeds and she came to us overweight.
Citrons are great birds. They need a lot of STRUCTURED attention. If you can do that I would highly recommend this breed over any other cockatoo breed. If not, steer away from cockatoos.
gabrielle - 2007-09-02 Pepito, a Tampa photographer, decided to buy one of these Citron birds. He or she was about 6 weeks old. We are currently feeding him via squeezing liquid food down the throat - what a job that has been. We found out he might need to be fed for the next 6 months. I've actually gotten very attached to him now and he sits with me daily as I try getting paperwork done in the studio. On top of my regular paperwork, he creates another huge pile of paperwork by shredding up documents, orders and everything else you can imagine. In addition he thinks my shoulder is now the place to sleep. He tries plucking my eyebrows and climbing up to top of my head by using my reading glasses as his private ladder. Once on top he's gets ahold of my hair (very long hair) and he slides up and down until he's so tangled up I can hardly get him back out of my hair. It takes Pepito pulling him off of me to get him back in line. I actually love this bird, but had no idea what a full time job he actually could be. He isn't a bird - he truly thinks he's a real person and demands real attention. Now I am thinking of taking him on trips with me making sure he's always got company. I've never wanted kids...I think I might have one now. Although Pepito bought him and is the real owner, I feel like I'm his mother. Pepe, yes, that's his name, loves to kiss and there's no hope for me wearing lipstick anymore - it's gone once he gets ahold of me. He kisses endlessly and it's a hopeless case...he's only 10 weeks old - can you imagine the future?!
The Citron-crested Cockatoo really stands out with the orange feathering in its crest and cheeks! It is the most striking of the six subspecies of the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos!
Is it ok to feed a cockatoo or any bird milk?
A little sip is not going to hurt them but they can't digest milk - at all. They are lactose intolerant and just can't digest milk or other dairy products.
I have a pair of citrons that are approx 11 and have been together a long time. I want to put a breeding box on or in their cage and have been told to build a 12"x12"x24" t box. I don't understand the layout of a t box. Can someone help me 850-653-5114
If you use a wooden box for Citrons = they will eat it faster than you can fix it. Suggest you go to China Praire farm and buy one. They are made from PVC = I blelieve. Still will chew but pretty indestructible. Other thought is a drum = I like the China Prarie with see doors and easy removal if need be.
We just bought our citron from my boss. His name is Sinbad. We first met Sinbad while my boss was away on vacation and I was caring for all his birds. He has 27 birds of different kinds. Sinbad immediately flew to me and it took me a while to get him off when it was time to leave. My boyfriend would come to help me sometimes and Sinbad loved him too. He would fly back and forth between us, and it was hard to get anything done! Hey, its not easy sweeping under dozens of cages with a bird hanging off your chest! After my boss came back, Sinbad would sometimes bite him and seemed unhappy. When we would come to visit Sinbad would come right to us, talking and playing! This is very unusual because I have heard they have very strong bonds with their owners. My boss owned him for 12 years, since Sinbad was a baby! After a lot of begging, he agreed to sell us the bird. Whatever the reason he took to us, we feel blessed. Sinbad is such a joy to have around. He has such a personality, and everyday is full of new surprises! He does demand a lot of attention. Luckily, Matt and I usually work seperate shifts, because Sinbad doesnt like being in his cage. He chews anything he can get his beak on, so he has to be caged when no one is home. If you have A LOT of extra time and energy, a cockatoo is a good choice. They are so loving and wonderful companions. But its almost like having a child, very high-maintainence! They have needs that must be met. If you cant make a commitment to your cockatoo, maybe you should look into a different kind of bird.
I think this is gonna be the right bird for me but the high maintenance part scares me. How exactly are they? I'm currently renting and my landlord also stays in the yard. Do they make a lot of noise?
I'm looking into getting a cockatoo and am willing to spend the time with one but am I ok to go to work for 9-10 hours at night or will that be too much time alone? I have been looking all day and can't find anything that says how much time is really ideal for spending with a cockatoo all I can find is how important it is to spend the time. Can anyone help me with this question Please!
-Paige
It really depends on the bird. birds are like humans they all have different personalities so there will naturally be needy ones, noisy ones, quiet ones..... etc. Cockatoos are people birds, they really really like human attention but I feel like most of the time because they are so affectionate the label given to cockatoos is exaggerated. ALL birds need attention just like a toddler however, some require less. If youre worried about it dont get a bird, or better yet hang out at your local exotic bird store for an hour a day or a couple hours a week and see what bird chooses you. I guarantee you'll make time for the one bird that chooses you :-)
It's good you're asking! No! Especially a cockatoo! Even my cockatiel breeds more than that! No pet should be alone for that amount of time! Not even a cat! But Cockatoos will be miserable! So do like I did and wait! There's no way you can have little children or be that busy and own a cockatoo! Um a stay home mom with two teenagers and other pets!
I adopted a Citron Cockatoo a few months ago! I adore her but she is a ton of work! I had read and researched everything and I am still shocked by the neediness!
So please! Get a cool fish tank! They are incredibly enjoyable and relaxing! Any other pet you aquire will need more attention than you can give being gone that long.
All the best! Oh, one more thing! My Cockatoo screams! Really really loud!!! Until you have o e you won't believe it! I live her but it drives everyone else crazy!
Cockatoos do require a lot of time! I think it varies to some degree with each bird. If you are working at night, I think you will be okay, just be sure to spend time with your bird during the day. Birds have to sleep too! It's a good idea to keep a lot of toys in their cage especially wood toys they can chew up. As you've probably heard, they do love to chew and they also need to have something to keep their minds busy since they can also become bored and start feather plucking. The best advice I could give to you would be for you to contact the nearest AVIAN vet & speak with them about specific requirements for cockatoos. Besides, you will also need a good avian vet should you decide to go ahead and get a bird!
Paige,
You need to spend 3-4 hrs of quality time with him or her. They must be out of the cage on a perch for at least the same amount of time. If not have a spouse for them (another bird to mate with will provide company). If they don't get the attention have toys and things that can occupy their time so they won't pull out their own feathers being bored to death.
Paige, As far as your work goes at night that is OK, as long as you can put them to sleep before you leave, when it is lights out they can be happily alone in their cage from dark to morning without noise as long as they don't hear you stirring around. Once they're up usually around sunrise they like company. Leave them alone for 5 min. and hello they will call you back.
I have been given a citron-crested cockatoo by a family member who just couldn't for health reasons keep him any more. I named him big dude. He had pulled just about all his feathers out because he had lost his mate. My aunt passed away and gave him to her son who has now given him to me along with a green parrot. He has just started to fluff again. I can't wait to see how pretty he will be when his feathers come back in. He hasn't had any for`3 years. He does screech and hiss at me but he also loves to be petted. He shakes the door of the cage to get out, I was told to keep it padlocked because he can get out and he has when I change the water and food. Hilarious. He sees the keys and goes nuts. I have only had him for a week and I think he is the funniest thing I have seen in along time. I wish I knew what to do to tame him further. He bows his head to be petted and he lets me rub his whole body, also he raises his wings to allow me to rub beneath them also. He appears to be really intelligent. It took him a whole three days to start imitating my alarm clock by beating his roost with his foot. Funny! Also the green parrot is basically viscious I am more afraid of it than big dude.
I own 1 U2 and 2 Goffin 2's, and we are considering re-homing a Citron that has been owned by the same person for the past 9 years but due to financial reasons she is having to down size her flock, he is a beautiful bird based on photo's and we are going to see him next weekend, my question to you is how is your bird "now", has he gotten over the stressful move and has he bonded to you? That is my concern as well as the current owner on how Sydney will take the transfer from his current home to our home, he will have lots of interaction with me and my wife and toys plus a large bird room that he will share with my other 3 toos, please give me feed back on how your citron is doing now?
Hey Rick, IDK if anyone responded to your post, but I gave a home to A citron, her old owners had to give her up, they had her since a baby and she was then 12 years old. I was told she prefered men. Well once I got her home I kept her cage in the bedroom for quarantine from my other birds, I would let her out of the cage and would just hang out in the room talking to her. I didnt push trying to pet her, and she did hiss/act tough during this time. Within 2-3 days max she wanted or needed to be pet so badly that she approached me and put her head down for scratches. Once she felt that I was able to give "approprite" scratches it was done, she let me pet her anywhere, handle her completely etc, and I am a woman. She did seem bonded with my boyfriend stronger than with me, but that never stopped me or her from bonding. (I am the main caregiver to the birds) Today, 3yrs after we adopted her, I feel her bond is stronger to me than my boyfriend, (its not I'm just saying to let you know the one sex preference isnt set in stone
So I feel the cockatoo's transition easier than other parrots... my african grey took months to let me handle him. I adopted him (8 y/o) 4 yrs ago.
I do hope you respond, I'd love to know if you adopted the citron and if you found the same to be true
It sounds like you are doing an excellent job of taming him. Just keep on doing what you are doing. Go slow. Let him eat from your hand. When you are ready, feed him with one hand and say "UP" and see if he will get on your other hand. The idea is to gradually get him away from his terrirotry (cage) and more into yours (perch). You're petting his head and he is lifting his wings. He lost his mate and he was obviously a pet at one point based on his behavior. I have a 26 year old cockatoo mate - good luck and let us know.
I have had oliver my citron cockatoo for Ten years now and you're right they are very funny and loving pets. I give her milk bone doggy biscuits and she dunks them in her water before eating them. I had thought that oliver was a male, which the pet shop had told me she was. Seven years later she laid an egg I found it when I came home from work at the bottom of her cage. I didn't have the heart to change her name because she says her name all the time so I figure what the heck! Oliver, Olivia - she's happy and at least now I know I have a female. The green parrot sounds like it may have been mistreated in its past.
My neighbor has a female Citron Cockatoo and is wondering if there is anything she can be given or that can be done for her to either slow or stop egg production. She has been egg bound a couple of times and my neighbor knows how to help her with that. But they do not want any babies and she is an only child in their home. Any suggestions will be appreciated. :) Thank you
I have been the proud owner of a citron cockatoo named boo boo,he is approx. 2 years old? I was told by this reputable store, that the last owner had kept him in a cage with no toys and locked in the spare room by himself! That the bird was owned by the husband who wanted to keep him, and a wife that wanted absolutely nothing to do with the bird. I'd would have let her go instead! --so lucky for me, boo boo is mine now and I wish I could meet with the people who let him go--really bad decision! Boo now walks out onto my hand from inside the cage and has a great vocabulary! It was such a sad story, because he is so charming. The stores problem, was every time anyone showed interest, boo boo would run amuck in the cage, or, as they put it "he's a psycho bird" Boo boo does not bite, scream or chew. He now has more love and toys now than he could know what to do with. If you have patience--these birds are greeeat!!
Hi James!
I had to write, because we have a little girl citron -- also named Boo Boo! Our Boo Boo is eight years old, and she would like to get married. Where do you live?
My Cockatoo is 20 years old I just got her about two ago. I would like to teach her some new words to say could you tell me how I could do this she always says Hi Gooby. Gooby is her name. She will not say anything when new people are around she also likes to laugh and it sounds just like my laugh. I have read some of the stories and my bird is an angel. Give me some tips how to teach her new words.
We have a 9 year old citron cockatoo that we inherited from a cousin. Toulouse (female) is a very sweet bird. She is one of two birds in this family -- we also have an african grey. Toulouse is quiet except when it is time for the lights to be off for her to go to sleep (thankfully we go to bed about the same time so that isn't a problem). The move between owners I believe was stressful for her -- citrons don't like change because of how they bond with their owners. Thankfully she developed a good bond with my partner. She is out of her cage most of the day since I work from home. She won't come to me -- in fact I think she tolerates me. Still, she is a joy to have and an absolutely beautiful bird. As I mentioned she has bonded with my partner and allows her to hold her, pet her, etc. We have had her now about a month and a half and are hoping that she continues to grow comfortable in her new home. It has been a huge change for her. We also had to change her diet since the previous owner feed her mostly seeds and she came to us overweight.
Citrons are great birds. They need a lot of STRUCTURED attention. If you can do that I would highly recommend this breed over any other cockatoo breed. If not, steer away from cockatoos.
Pepito, a Tampa photographer, decided to buy one of these Citron birds. He or she was about 6 weeks old. We are currently feeding him via squeezing liquid food down the throat - what a job that has been. We found out he might need to be fed for the next 6 months. I've actually gotten very attached to him now and he sits with me daily as I try getting paperwork done in the studio. On top of my regular paperwork, he creates another huge pile of paperwork by shredding up documents, orders and everything else you can imagine. In addition he thinks my shoulder is now the place to sleep. He tries plucking my eyebrows and climbing up to top of my head by using my reading glasses as his private ladder. Once on top he's gets ahold of my hair (very long hair) and he slides up and down until he's so tangled up I can hardly get him back out of my hair. It takes Pepito pulling him off of me to get him back in line. I actually love this bird, but had no idea what a full time job he actually could be. He isn't a bird - he truly thinks he's a real person and demands real attention. Now I am thinking of taking him on trips with me making sure he's always got company. I've never wanted kids...I think I might have one now. Although Pepito bought him and is the real owner, I feel like I'm his mother. Pepe, yes, that's his name, loves to kiss and there's no hope for me wearing lipstick anymore - it's gone once he gets ahold of me. He kisses endlessly and it's a hopeless case...he's only 10 weeks old - can you imagine the future?!