Parrots who save people

Check out this story on NPR, also found on most major news venues, about a parrot who alerted the babysitter to a toddler's choking.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102322618

Anyone who has spent years with pets knows their uncanny ability to sense danger. In my own life, I've had a dog who knew a guy leaving an apt. next door was a burglar, even though I didn't. Another dog who could smell cancer and also recently alerted me by throwing himself against my leg as I was doing T-shirt transfers--right before I realized the paper was burning and just before the smoke alarm went off (that's Tyler, as you may have guessed).

If only we could learn from animals intuitive/instinctive intelligence. We'd be able to have a heads up when someone was lying to us...when strangers had been in our yard...when a storm was turning dangerous...when our bodies were giving off subtle scents and changes signaling illness.

As we progress in the 21st century: I look forward to our understanding of animals increasing...there is so much to learn!

The following is a list of books that I found helpful in writing my book "Open Your Heart with Pets."

Animal Miracles by Brad Steiger and Sherry Hansen Steiger (Holbrook, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 1999)

Beauty in the Beasts: True Stories of Animals Who Choose to Do Good by Kristin von Kreisler (New York: MJF Books, 2001)

Cesar’s Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems by Cesar Millan with Milissa Jo Peltier (New York: Harmony Books, 2006)

The Character of Cats by Stephen Budiansky (New York: Penguin Putnam, 2002)

Dogs Never Lie About Love by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson (New York: Crown Publishers, 1997)

The Dogs Who Found Me: What I’ve Learned from the Dogs Who’ve Been Left Behind Ken Foster

Good Owners, Great Dogs by Brian Kilcommons with Sarah Wilson (New York: Warner Books, 1992)

The Hidden Life of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas (New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1993)

Jack Hanna’s Ultimate Guide to Pets by Jack Hanna (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1996)

New Perspectives on Our Lives with Companion Animals by J.A. Serpell (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1983)

Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs by Caroline Knapp (New York: The Dial Press, 1998)

Post-Trauma Stress: A personal guide to reduce long-term effects and hidden emotional damage caused by violence and disaster by Frank Parkinson (Boston: DaCapo, 2000)

One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter by Diane Leigh and Marilee Geyer (Santa Cruz, CA: No Voice Unheard, 2003)

Best Friends: The True Story of the World’s Most Beloved Animal Sanctuary by Samantha Glen (New York: Kensington Books, 2001)

Pets and People: The Psychology of Pet Ownership by Barrie Gunter (London: Whurr Publishers Ltd, 1999)

Speaking Out for Animals: True Stories about Real People Who Rescue Animals, Kim W. Stallwood, Ed. (New York: Lantern Books, 2001)

Successful Dog Adoption by Sue Sternberg (Indianapolis: Howell Book House, 2003)

A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas (New York: Harcourt Books, 2006)

The Wonderful Thing about Pets: Remarkable stories about the animals who share our lives from Gary Burghoff and the editors of Pets: part of the family™ (New York: Rodale, 2000)