Every now and then, even our beloved cockatoo, Julius, needs a little time-out. With his big personality and playful spirit, he sometimes gets a bit carried away — whether it’s nibbling on something he shouldn’t or testing his boundaries just a little too much. And, when that happens, it’s time for a short “cool-down” period!

When Julius realizes he’s been put in time-out, he knows it. He’ll give me a look that’s somewhere between guilty and defiant, his eyes wide as if to say, “Really? Me?” Sometimes he’ll fluff up his feathers a bit, almost as if he’s trying to look extra cute to win a quicker release.The funny part? Julius has a bit of a “drama queen” streak. As soon as he’s in time-out, he’ll let out a few soft squawks, just to remind me he’s there. He might even ruffle his feathers dramatically or turn his back with a little huff, putting on his best “unimpressed” face. But deep down, I know he’s taking it all in stride. A few minutes in, he’s usually calm, looking at me with those bright, curious eyes, as if to say, “I’ve thought about my actions, and I’m ready to be good now.” And of course, it’s impossible to stay mad at Julius for long. He’s quick to return to his lovable self, hopping right back into the action, ready to charm and entertain us all over again.

Time-out may be a small setback, but for Julius, it’s just part of being the lovable, sometimes mischievous bird he is. Here’s to our feathered friend — always keeping us on our toes, and teaching us a thing or two about forgiveness and a fresh start.