A Book

I finally have something to post about. I first learned of this book over on Inger's blog Desert Canyon Living.  I found that our library had copies, even a large print edition, which I borrowed. I am always happy to find large print editions which I can read without as much eye fatigue especially if it is a good book that I cannot put down. So was the case with this book. I read it in one day. Next day my husband read it. Needless to say, I do recommend this book, especially to people who care about animals.

Wesley the Owl, The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien (Free Press, 2008) is a memoir of the nineteen years Wesley and O'Brien were together. The relationship was much more than scientific observation; from the moment baby Wesley opened his eyes and looked deeply into hers it was love. O'Brien spins the true story of their daily life together.  A story of bonding, love, and sentience between a human and a wild animal, a barn owl of complex abilities and sensitivities who smelled like maple syrup, and who first viewed her as mother, and then later as mate... making it necessary to pretend to eat the mouse he brought her everyday.  

O'Brien shares with readers the emotions and mental telepathy present in their communicating. She wrote of Wesley as: "a pioneer on this journey of exploration into the intelligence and sentience of the creatures with whom we share the earth. There is so much more to be discovered, and I'm sure in decades to come we will look back at this time as one in which we were emerging from the dark ages of understanding animals, their intelligence, and their emotional lives."

There is a website with photos: http://www.wesleytheowl.com/ 

and better reviews than mine. I noticed Temple Grandin in the list.
http://www.wesleytheowl.com/OwlComments.html