I was wondering how Chico is doing. I know its that time of the year now, as Papi is giving me a run for my money right now.

But, how was this past year over all. Has his attitude changed at all? Is he more handelable? does he seem to know you now? I remember him slimming down a bit... how is his diet now? I've been meaning to ask for a while actually, I remember when you brought him home and he reminded me so much of Papi.

oh, and get us some pics of the green goon, will ya?

He's doing quite well, really. A week ago I thought we were really headed for hormone overload, but he seems to have settled back a bit in that regard. I turned down the thermostat just a whisker, and cut about an hour off the full spectrum lights and it seems to have mellowed him back down. Probably just delaying the inevitable.

The past year overall? Hmmm......well, he definitely knows me and likes to see me. Has a little squawk-fest whenever I come home, hustles right over to the 'skritches spot' in his cage to get his through-the-bars lovin', especially at bed time. Handleable? Not so much. Opening the cage door sends him on a climb and evade mission to the top of the cage, and he'll start lunging and striking at his toys, etc. I'm sure I could put the old welding gloves on, towel him, and flood him into acceptance, but I won't do that. If I absolutely had to get him out, yeah, but otherwise I have no problem respecting his space. Perhaps he'll slowly come to realize that he has nothing to fear from me, perhaps not. I'm content to let that be his call. I've got nothing but time, and I sort of feel that it's about all he has left to him, you know?

I'd like to see him come out of the cage some, but still haven't figured out just how to accomplish that yet. He'll come out after a while if I leave the door open, but just climbs up on top of the cage, which is a humongous dome top 6 feet tall. Then he just sits around up there until he decides to go back in. Can't see any big benefit to that, and I don't know that letting him up that high does anything to further my cause.

His condition seems just fine, and he's kept his svelt, slimmed down appearance. He likes his Zupreem pellets, and gets his daily dinner of rice/bean mixture with peas, corn, carrot sticks and either fresh green beans or peas in the pod. He gets apple pieces and almonds for treats, and loves them both, but almonds are the hands-down favorite. Two or three times a week his dinner will include some pumpkin seeds or pine nuts, and maybe some minced garlic mixed in. He loves that, and also an occasional squirt of hot sauce or some cinnamon.

I need to get some fresh photos of all the fids, its been a while!

chico just sounds as sweet as pie, nate. thank you for the update. i hope one day he will venture away from his cage. it's so good of you to be so patient with him.

Chico sounds like he is enjoying his new home. Have you tried a rope bridge to somewhere else?