Wesley The Owl, Stacey O'Brien

Starred Review. Owls permeate literature and mythology, an ancient animal ("some 97 million years" old) that has fascinated for centuries; still, few people have had as intimate an encounter with the mysterious night birds as biologist O'Brien. As a student researcher at Caltech, she fell in love with an injured four-day-old barn owl and seized the opportunity to adopt him permanently. She named him Wesley, and for 19 years kept, cared for and studied him, forging a tremendous relationship with the still-wild animal, as well as a vast understanding of his abilities, instincts and habits: "He was my teacher, my companion, my child, my playmate, my reminder of God." Her heartwarming story is buttressed by lessons on owl folklore, temperament ("playful and inquisitive"), skills, and the brain structure that gives them some amazing abilities, like spotting a mouse "under three feet of snow by homing in on just the heartbeat." It also details her working life among fellow scientists, a serious personal health crisis, and the general ins and outs of working with animals. This memoir will captivate animal lovers and, though not necessarily for kids, should hold special appeal for Harry Potter fans who've always envied the boy wizard his Hedwig.
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Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• owl
• barn
• barnowl

[thehillbillymoon]

People who love and help animals are awesome awesome people!

[TheMindHaze0]

My grandma got the book for me because she know how much I love animals. This story changed my life. I'm not religious, but there is no doubt is my mind that Wesley was an angel.

[Squeekstir11]

You should make a documentary thumbs up this if u agree

[Squeekstir11]

Very emotional story

[MyWildlifeVideos]

I read this book three times.

[Squeekstir11]

Love the book it's a must have

[snowflakeangel101]

i have read many books over the years but Wesley the owl was one that was both inspiring and heart warming. This book truly shows "The way of the owl."

[ptz593443x]

Thank you Stacey !

[ReneeOfTheFae]

I heard about this book on NPR a few months ago and thought, " I'd really like to read that." Then, sadly, I forgot about it. About a month ago, I was in a used bookshop, and this book, popped out. It was the only copy on the shelf and I'd recalled wanting to read it. I finally started reading it a day ago and am so touched by Wesley, his antics and the love he shared with Stacey. Perhaps this book (and another I had bought that day, by Jane Goodall) will push me to study biology! Thank you!

[thedukeofantioch]

i just read it.

in gerald durrells corfu trilogy he adopted a little owl called ulysses who such personality and used to ride gerrys dog and they would go on boat trips together.

[Debbyprez]

This was a wonderful book,Staci is such a loving caring person-another favorite read!

[MissAlebalu]

i trovatelli a qualcuno competente.