I'm Candace Miller and I am an animal lover. My nickname from childhood was Candy and then by many, Cando. Since this name implies the positive outlook that I embrace, I thought it a most fitting name for the aviary. I always say if I can do it, you can too.

When God created me He knew my hearts desires. He had already created the fish in the sea, the birds of the air, and the animals that walk the earth.

And to my wonderment, I am in awe of His creations. I keep a 210 gallon saltwater reef tank and 75 gallon freshwater Discus aquarium. I have 5 cats of assorted shapes and sizes, a little dog that is a real character, and birds of every color. Lately I have been specializing in Lady gouldian finches.

I love the wildlife and have regular visitors of owls, hawks, ospreys, pelicans, herons, gulls, kingfishers, dolphins, racoons, fiddler crabs, gopher tortoises, anoles, geckos, and a mass of gulf fritillary butterflies that  arrive annually to consume a passion fruit vine that covers the pergola. Just to name a few... I also love to garden.

My husband, Tom, is the greatest of all. He supports my love of critters. He has built me aviaries, converted his storage shed into a full fledge birdroom with lights on timers, carries the 50 lb bags of seed, and accompanies me to the bird fairs and pet stores. Tom is my best friend and we share a very blessed life.

I am retired from the pet industry. I have managed pet stores, owned and operated grooming shops and boarding kennels, volunteered to foster animals in my home for the Humane Society, and always fed the strays. I was fortunate to have had a career that was fueled by my passion. Now I have the same passion for my hobby of bird keeping. Nothing is more rewarding than experiencing the miracle of an egg hatching and then watching it develop into a true beauty to be beheld.

After all these years I still haven't figured out one thing though ... Which comes first, the chick or the egg?