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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog
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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog Hardback - 2008

by Nancy Ellis-Bell


Summary

The last thing Nancy Ellis-Bell expected to descend on her life was a neglected, too-tall, smart-mouthed, one-legged, blue-and-gold rescue macaw named Peg Leg. And yet, it made perfect sense. A lifelong animal lover, Nancy could never turn away a stray cat, dog, squirrel, or raccoon from her California farm. But the macaw, quickly rechristened Sarah, was a whole new challenge, as Nancy, her husband, Kerry, and their furry menagerie would find out.Initially timid of her new surroundings, Sarah soon imposed her four-foot wingspan into the family homestead--first claiming the laundry basket, then conquering a prized dresser--and achieved complete household domination. Nancy couldn't "bird-proof" the place fast enough, and it was not long before Sarah started stealing the dogs' toys--using her enormous beak to disembowel Ben the mutt's treasured stuffed bear--and bathing her richly hued feathers in their water bowl. She also peppered Nancy's phone conversations with expletive-laden outbursts. There seemed no end to Sarah's realm, nor her destruction, and it dawned on Nancy that the entire house had slowly transformed into a birdcage.On the other side of the coin, Sarah started to abandon her own raptor instincts when she discovered that dog food was pretty tasty and that she had a knack for "barking" (and a few other sounds that alarmed the neighbors). As they all learned to live together, Nancy marveled that Sarah had truly found a place to call home, but she sensed that there was something she could give Sarah to make her feel more complete: a chance to fly again.Touching, eye-opening, and laugh-out-loud funny, The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog is a tender tale of two worlds colliding, two lives enriched, and two souls restored. It is also a rewarding reminder that love can come from the most unexpected places.From the Hardcover edition.

From the publisher

The last thing Nancy Ellis-Bell expected to descend on her life was a neglected, too-tall, smart-mouthed, one-legged, blue-and-gold rescue macaw named Peg Leg. And yet, it made perfect sense. A lifelong animal lover, Nancy could never turn away a stray cat, dog, squirrel, or raccoon from her California farm. But the macaw, quickly rechristened Sarah, was a whole new challenge, as Nancy, her husband, Kerry, and their furry menagerie would find out.
Initially timid of her new surroundings, Sarah soon imposed her four-foot wingspan into the family homestead--first claiming the laundry basket, then conquering a prized dresser--and achieved complete household domination. Nancy couldn't "bird-proof" the place fast enough, and it was not long before Sarah started stealing the dogs' toys--using her enormous beak to disembowel Ben the mutt's treasured stuffed bear--and bathing her richly hued feathers in their water bowl. She also peppered Nancy's phone conversations with expletive-laden outbursts. There seemed no end to Sarah's realm, nor her destruction, and it dawned on Nancy that the entire house had slowly transformed into a birdcage. On the other side of the coin, Sarah started to abandon her own raptor instincts when she discovered that dog food was pretty tasty and that she had a knack for "barking" (and a few other sounds that alarmed the neighbors). As they all learned to live together, Nancy marveled that Sarah had truly found a place to call home, but she sensed that there was something she could give Sarah to make her feel more complete: a chance to fly again.
Touching, eye-opening, and laugh-out-loud funny, "The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog" is a tender tale of two worlds colliding, two lives enriched, and two souls restored. It is also a rewarding reminder that love can come from the most unexpected places.

Details

  • Title The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog
  • Author Nancy Ellis-Bell
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Language EN
  • Publisher Crown Publishing Group, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 2008-07-22
  • ISBN 9780307405944

Media reviews

One of the Top 5 Nonfiction Books of the Year
Richmond Times-Dispatch

One of the Top 10 Sci-Tech Books of 2008
Booklist

"Equally comical, affecting, and wrenching, The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog is a little charmer that reminds us of the love we owe our fellow travelers on Earth and the difference that love can make–in their lives and ours."
Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Life with a macaw is always an adventure….Ellis-Bell captures this ongoing sense of discovery perfectly.”
—Booklist, starred review

“An amazing story full of intriguing characters, both human and animal, and a biologically accurate account of bird behavior. I couldn’t put it down.”
—Marc Morrone, pet expert on the Martha Stewart Show

“In The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog, Nancy Ellis-Bell shares the magic of making a truly singular connection with an exotic, intelligent, sensitive, and essentially wild creature. I can’t wait to share this book with my clients and friends.”
—Joel Blumberg, DVM, Santa Rosa Veterinary Hospital

“Nancy Ellis-Bell has managed to capture on paper the trials and absolute splendor that so many go through when finding themselves being ‘owned’ by a feathered companion and shows how the experience can lead to a life of unconditional love and respect for these magnificent creatures.”
—Daniel Kopulos, veterinary technician and owner of Uptown Birds, New York City

“Ellis-Bell shows just how a macaw can steal your heart—and rule your life! Enjoy a glimpse of living with these wonderful birds.”
—Pat Surniak, president of the Redwood Empire Cage Bird Club, Santa Rosa, California

“Sarah is a delightfully mischievous creature the reader grows to love as Ellis-Bell did.”
Publishers Weekly

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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

by Nancy Ellis-Bell

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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog
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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog
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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

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The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog

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