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Reader
Review, email
Hello
Nancy,
I was home for two weeks over the Christmas holiday
and spent an afternoon browsing for Christmas gifts
at Leaves of Grass - as I was piling my book gifts
on the counter I looked down and spotted your book
on the table next to the counter.
Intrigued because our current tenant in our Inn has
an African Grey Parrot. When the tennant arrived,
she asked to bring her bird along (she's had her 25
years) - I've never been an indoor bird person - really
enjoy the outdoor fellows and believe I was once a
hawk in a previous life! - anyway - I thought she
would have fun with the book - Imagine my surprise
when I read the name of the author! Hey! I know this
lady (well kind of) - anyhow, I bought the book, decided
she would never know if I read it first - and LOVED
IT - Of course since then, everywhere I go, I'm talking
about this book - and, it turns out we have quite
a few common friends - my best friend Annette speaks
very highly of you - Anyway - what a fun surprise
over the Christmas break - thanks for the book, I
thought I was among the few that talked to animals.
Kathleen G.
Reader Review, email
I
think we are related.
I, too, have taken in many birds. I currently have 2
African Greys, 2 Macaws, a Moulaccan Cockatoo, 2 goffin
cockatoos, 2 conures, an Amazon, 2 cockatiels and a
starling. They join 5 dogs, one cat and many, many koi
and goldfish. There is also 2 aquariums in the house.
I
loved your book. I can't wait to read the next one.
Thank you for your kindness to all animals including
the raccoons.
Cathy
C.
Reader Review, email
Nancy,
Hello. My name is Joy and I just read your book about
Sarah. It was wonderful! The reason I'm emailing you
is because I am a medium who can communicate with, among
other things, animals both in body and those who have
crossed over.
Most of the time the communication has to be asked for
either by me or the human connected with an animal.
However, in this instance, as I read about Sarah's passing,
she came into my awareness and asked me to give you
a message.
She wants you to know, in case you don't already know,
that, other than loving her life with you and thanking
you profusely for giving her herself again, she intentionally
stayed in the trees.
Being outside like that kept taking her closer and closer
to her "wild" roots and being in the Amazon.
It took her quite a while until she decided it was time
to become totally free again. To do this, meant she
would have to leave her Sarah body and return in another
one born again in the wild. She also wants you to know
that she has done that (still with a remembrance of
what to stay away from - meaning she won't be captured
in this life).
I guess I should back up somewhat. I'm presuming, and
so did she, that you would know that Souls can come
to Earth in as many bodies as they wish. We can this
reincarnation and, from also talking with Souls and
Spiritual Guides/Guardian Angels, I know it happens
continually.
I wanted to pass on Sarah's message. You can take it
or leave it however you like.
You are a kindred spirit for me. I live with 8 animals
as my Life Partners - 2 Golden Retrievers, 2 cats, and
4 horses. Most of the work I do is to communicate with
animals for their humans. It's my passion and my life's
work.
Wishing you and yours well,
Love,
Joy T.
Talk With
Your Animals
Reader Review, email
Dear Nancy, I just read your book and I laughed with
you and cried with you. I too rescued a parrot in 1999.
He had been mistreated, dumped at my neighbors (under
the pretext of babysitting two weeks, and two years
later his owner still had not returned, that's when
I took him in) and not handled for at least two years.
He too was a little vampire when I became his new mommy.
I took some serious bites but was determined to return
only love, even after 16 stitches by a cosmetic surgeon
on my lip. We now always hold beak to kiss.
Coco, who is a Harlequin Macaw, is now about 20 years
old and no longer bites, and has become a wonderful
companion. We take a 2-3 mile walk daily in the State
Parks here. He has a huge perch in between 2 Hickory
trees in my yard and his cage is only closed at night
when he is covered. He lives with us in Delaware in
the summer and Key West in the winter (we all migrate
together, me, Coco, Radar the black Lab and my husband).
Reading your book answered my 10 year thought of "Should
I let him become fully flighted and have that freedom?"
I now keep 5 primaries clipped, leaving 3 on his wingtips
and 2 center wing. I have tested him and this is the
perfect clip for him to break a fall, but not to fly
up. He can fly out and down about 20 feet. When going
for our daily walks, I wear sweat bands and he rides
on my forearms and hands. I do not allow him to be a
shoulder bird and he doesn't like it there any way as
he does not feel a secure grip. So after reading what
happened to Sarah, I will always continue to keep that
clip, I grieved for you and Sarah as I read.
I have written an "Owner's Manual" for Coco!
It's about 6 pages and is in case something ever happened
to me suddenly and someone else other than my husband
or I had to take him right away. I do have an old friend
who has 2 Macaws who is willing to take him in that
event.
Everyone knows me in town as the "Bird Lady"
because of taking him on "Squawk and Walks"
with Radar my Lab. That time is truly Coco's favorite
time of the day, a whole hour of "arm time"
out in nature, where he can flap and scream bloody murder
and no one wants to divorce us! We volunteer with the
Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware's Ambassador Ship,
and do educational dock tours as pirate and parrot.
No one else can touch Coco other than my husband, but
Coco now allows me to love up on him and cuddle when
it's his idea (just like a man).
I learned from your book that I have done well and that
Coco is a really easy parrot as parrot's go. Coco is
now even part of "Pets on Wheels", he and
Radar visit nursing homes and bring smiles to many people.
Good luck with Will, and God Bless,
Donna
F.
Reader Review, email
I just finished reading
your book and I loved it. It made me laugh & it
made me cry. Thank you for sharing your story about
Sarah. I wish I had known her... I'm heartbroken that
she's gone.
Kitty
Reader Review, email
I
just finished your book The Parrot who Thought She was
a Dog. I couldn't put it down.
Again, your book was so touching. I share your love
of animals and have two precious "babies,"
rescue dogs. Thank you for sharing your love of Sarah.
Reevah
Reader Review, email
This is an absolute
fantastic book!! I became a blue and gold "mother"
almost 1 year ago. Then we added a green-winged and
then a molloccan with the last member joining us about
a week and a half ago (a cockatiel). They have been
absolute joys and this book just explained more things
and showed us many things in common! May the spirit
of Sarah always soar high and watch over her human!!
Bless Nancy for taking a chance on Sarah and becoming
Sarah's human!!!
Denise
Reader Review, email
Oh
Nancy,
I just fiished Sarah's story and what a story it was!
Sarah was quite the personality and a maddening delight.
I so admire you, and Kerry, for all the critter TLC
that is given in your home-you especially and Kerry
for moral support.
I just spent time on your website and was so glad to
see the parrot photos. Watching Animal Planet as I do
I've seen these birds in all their glory. In the coloration
of fish and birds nature outdoes itself. Thank goodness
for color TV! I do hope, one of these days, you and
the parrots will show up on AP, my favorite channel.
Thank you for telling Sarah's story (and the other animals
as well). It was an absolutely delightful read.
Shirley G.
Reader Review, email
Dear
Ms. Ellis,
Thank you for the hours of enjoyment when I read "The
Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog". I must admit
that I was hoping (& expecting) a happy ending.
When I realized what was going to happen, for a non
religious Jew, I was ready to change into black clothing,
light a candle and sit "shiva" for a week!
Although time has passed, please except my condolences
on the death of your beloved friend. Take comfort in
knowing that you (& your husband) provided her with
dignity and happiness in her last years.
I look forward to reading
your next book.
Many thanks again.
David
P.S.
I am a huge English Bulldog fan.
Further correspondence:
Obviously these wonderful creatures
know that you are a good soul and provide a safe haven.
We both know that Sarah continues to be around you and
will be waiting for you when you cross over. She was
sent to do her job and when it was completed she left
for her next journey - she certainly added to her karma
wheel.
I
look forward to reading your future publications and
hopefully see you at a speaking engagement.
David
Reader Review, email
Dear
Nancy,
I just read your book and I laughed with you and cried
with you. I too rescued a parrot in 1999. He had been
mistreated, dumped at my neighbors (under the pretext
of babysitting two weeks, and two years later his owner
still had not returned, that's when I took him in) and
not handled for at least two years. He too was a little
vampire when I became his new mommy. I took some serious
bites but was determined to return only love, even after
16 stitches by a cosmetic surgeon on my lip. We now
always hold beak to kiss.
Coco, who is a Harlequin Macaw, is now about 20 years
old and no longer bites, and has become a wonderful
companion. We take a 2-3 mile walk daily in the State
Parks here. He has a huge perch in between 2 Hickory
trees in my yard and his cage is only closed at night
when he is covered. He lives with us in Delaware in
the summer and Key West in the winter (we all migrate
together, me, Coco, Radar the black Lab and husband
Pete).
Reading your book answered my 10 year thought of "
Should I let him become fully flighted and have that
freedom?" I now keep 5 primaries clipped, leaving
3 on his wingtips and 2 center wing. I have tested him
and this is the perfect clip for him to break a fall,
but not to fly up. He can fly out and down about 20
feet. When going for our daily walks, I wear sweat bands
and he rides on my forearms and hands. I do not allow
him to be a shoulder bird and he doesn't like it there
any way as he does not feel a secure grip. So after
reading what happened to Sarah, I will always continue
to keep that clip, I grieved for you and Sarah as I
read.
I have written an "Owner's Manual" for Coco!
It's about 6 pages and is in case something ever happened
to me suddenly and someone else other than Pete or I
had to take him right away. I do have an old friend
who has 2 Macaws who is willing to take him in that
event.
Everyone knows me in town as the "Bird Lady"
because of taking him on "Squawk and Walks"
with Radar my Lab. That time is truly Coco's favorite
time of the day, a whole hour of "arm time"
out in nature, where he can flap and scream bloody murder
and no one wants to divorce us! We volunteer with the
Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware's Ambassador Ship,
and do educational dock tours as pirate and parrot.
No one else can touch Coco other than my husband, but
Coco now allows me to love up on him and cuddle when
it's his idea (just like a man).
I learned from your book that I have done well and that
Coco is a really easy parrot as parrot's go. Coco is
now even part of "Pets on Wheels", he and
Radar visit nursing homes and bring smiles to many people.
Good luck with Will, and God Bless,
Donna F.
Reader Review, email
Nancy,
My wife and I were on our way to Austin, when we both
treated ourselves to a new book at the airport (only
a small part of why we are always more than two hours
early).
What to my wondering eyes should appear, prominently
displayed next to the register, but your new book. I
had no idea it was already out!
After the purchases, my wife promptly appropriated your
novel and chuckled and cried all the way to Austin.
Once she had finished, I regained control and thoroughly
enjoyed every word.
When is the next one out?
Nancy, the best part of our otherwise wonderful vacation
was the enjoyment of your work.
Thank you for the delight you share with the world,
Earl M.
Reader
Review, email
What a wonderful tribute by writing this incredible
book. Not only was it so entertaining, but truly inspirational.
There is no greater power on earth than love. It is
out of love and respect that you wanted to give her
the ultimate gift for any bird, freedom to fly. Love
knows no boundaries and you experienced the unique love
affair between human and parrot. How many bird owners
don't even know or take the time to see that their caged
bird is capable of such emotion and intelligence . They
can be fun, loving, mischievous, jealous and so human.
Sometimes, maybe we forget that they are birds, how
they belong in the wild, and should have never been
made pets for all those that do suffer a lifetime of
neglect and confinement because of the pet trade.
There is nothing sadder than to see a bird alone in
a cage without a companion. But Sarah found you and
she loved you, with all her heart, even if you didn't
have feathers.. Her life began to have meaning because
you respected her as she was.
Somebody told me once that "one day of freedom
is worth far more than a lifetime in a cage." We
as humans, may not be able to relate to that. But for
a bird to not have its only defense mechanism to fly
or flee is traumatic. They say that it doesn't hurt
to clip a bird's wings, but I disagree as the hurt runs
deep and is replaced by fear, stress plucking and total
dependence.
Your book enlightened our hearts to how amazingly intelligent
and funny parrots can be and how they were not meant
to be caged. Having a wild-caught bird in a cage is
the ultimate of cruelties.
Sarah went beyond her tragedy and learned how to trust
again, because of you. You gave her life, Nancy.
She will be an eternal free spirit now and will never
be forgotten.
God Bless you!
Sally B.
Reader
Review, email
Hi Nancy,
The book came last week... thank you so very much! I
can't find the words to tell you what this means to
me.
I did manage to finish reading the book. I bawled my
eyes out when Sarah took off and stayed out overnight.
I had a feeling of what was to come, but when you talked
about her stance, and how she was not standing tall
and proud, well, from that point on, I was a basketcase.
I sure spent alot of extra time with my Jasper, a blue
and gold... the bird I was not going to get because
my dream was always a Blue Hyacinth. That never happened
and I am now owned by 3 macaws, one of whom (Marley,
a greenwing) was in the dance off on Bird Channel just
last week. We are waiting for the results to come in,
to see if she makes the finals or not.
All the best, from one parrot lover to another,
Paula
Reader
Review, email
Dear. Ms. Ellis-Bell:
Yesterday I finished reading THE PARROT WHO THOUGHT
SHE WAS A DOG. I was reading Wedsnesday in bed,
skimming ahead on the parrot where Sarah flew off and
you eventually found her body and I was crying! And
I thought "well I'm just not going to finish reading
it!" But I did finish it at lunch yesterday, sitting
in my car and once again crying. Thank you for sharing
Sarah's story and yours.
I too am an animal lover and have been all my 42 years.
It's against my nature not to help an animal. I share
my small, 3-bedroom ranch with 4 dogs and 7 cats! I
couldn't imagine life without animals.
Once again thank you!
Debbie S.
Reader
Review, email
I
just finished reading The Parrot Who Thought She
was a Dog. I found myself laughing and smiling
to the point of reading excerpts aloud to my husband
( a big no-no at our house) but I couldnt help myself.
This story transferred me from one emotion to the next
and back again as Sarah joined the family and all began
learning and growing together. I found tears in my eyes
and a lump in my throat when Sarah said her first "Love
you." I laughed out loud as she and the dogs interactions
were shared and Sarah began barking.
I wept as Sarah and Nancy's journey together came to
an end, but I smile and say "Thank You" Nancy
for sharing your memories of Sarah, the stuggles and
the triumphs of being a true lover of animals.
Best Wishes,
Lora M.
Reader
Review, email
Just
finished the book, The Parrot Who Thought She Was
a Dog and came online to see if there was something
else by Nancy Ellis.
....simply had to compliment.....
I've recommended to everyone Iknow who loves animals.
I t was not simply the story or subject matter - the
author hit it out of the park - and not just by her
communication and understanding of animals.... but by
the ability to get that feeling across and being able
to infuse all the important senses - the connection,
love, telepathy, and then packaging it with the type
of humor only an animal lover understands......seldom
do I find myself transported into a scene the author
is talking about...I felt like I was there walking the
property.
W hat a treat...
Thanks so much.
Bonnie
Reader
Review, email
I
just finished your book, and am compelled to write to
you...even with tears in my eyes from the empathy I
feel over your loss of Sarah.
What is it about a bird that touches our souls? (that
would be a bird-person's soul) The phrase that is so
true, ' the bird that owns me', comes to my mind.
I acquired two macaws over ten years ago, a Greenwing
and a Red-Fronted macaw, and my life has not been the
same. I can't imagine my life without them.....
I enjoyed your book so very much, I devoured it in an
evening, and now can't sleep with my sniffling and snorting
over Sarah's death. I don't know what I'd do if I lost
one of my birds.
So I had to write to you and let you know your book
touched my heart, thank you very much for writing it
and telling her story.
Keep up the good writing,
Julie J.
Reader
Review, email
Hello
Nancy,
I ordered your book a couple of weeks ago, and it arrived
today. I have not been able to put it down, except for
now, to write you.
I am owned by 8 parrots - one of which is a blue and
gold macaw, but in our flock we also have 2 greenwinged
macaws, your dream - 3 African Greys, an amazon and
a quaker, all of whom came to me for different reasons,
most of whom I consider rescues - they have had previous
owners.
Yes, the house rules sure do change when a bird - ANY
bird comes to live with you. My oldest children do not
understand why my fids come before they do at times,
but to try an explain to them how a bird loves you unconditionally,
never tells you off (well almost never) and that they
will be dependent on you for the rest of their time
with you where a human child is supposed to grow up
and become independent.
...
It's back to reading for me. Something tells me I may
be up really late tonight.
Sincerely,
Paula
Reader
Review, email
Hello Nancy,
I just wanted to thank you for your inspiring and entertaining
book talk at Kepler's. I love to hear about personal
experiences with animals.
I spoke to you briefly after your talk about my desire
to write a book about my experiences with my rats. I
honestly do not know if I could write an entire book,
but I do have the desire to share my personal experiences
with these wonderful animals with others.
When I hear and read stories such as yours, it does
inspire me to try. You did a wonderful job of bringing
Sarah back to life and helping us to understand these
wonderful birds.
I enjoyed meeting you and will be telling all of my
friends (with and without birds) about your book. Thank
you again.
Sincerely,
Carol K.
Reader
review, email
Hi Nancy, I just finished reading your book a little
while ago and I loved it! The last part of it made me
cry, I felt your heartbreak. I have three birds myself
and I couldn’t imagine my life without them.
Great job on the book!
Regards,
Nancy P.
Reader
Review, email
Hi,
LOVED YOUR BOOK! It was absolutely terrific, only I
couldn't put it down! Couldn't help crying about Sarah,
but glad you have Will Scarlett. Also, I loved the pictures
on the web and your little stories about Will. Thank
you so much for your work.
I hope that you continue to write, and that we will
be graced with a sequel.
Best wishes,
C.J.G.
Reader
Well Wishes, email
Greetings Dear Nancy!
Andrew told me today that your book is a best seller
on the pet list!
Congratulations!
Sincerely,
Marc Morrone
Reader
Review, email
...
the love between Nancy and Sarah is gripping. You don't
have to be a bird expert to enjoy this good read. Which
is how I feel. It's not about a bird; it's about the
love between a bird and its caregiver that transfers
to the reader.
Such a good read.
Otty L.
Reader
review, email
I
really enjoyed reading your book.
My husband is in the hospital recovering from a stroke
and he likes me to read to him. Your book was perfect
because it made me laugh so I felt like I wasn't in
the hospital.
It was helpful to him too because then I wasn't worried
but laughing.
Nanette B.
Reader
review, email
It
said tell you what I loved about your book. I loved
Sarah. From most of the reviews I read so did everyone.
I just fell in love with her. I wish things could have
ended differently for her. I know she loved Nancy because
she was trying to make it home to her.May Sarah's spirit
always fly free and watch over Nancy. Also, she is flying
free in the hearts of the many readers who love her.
Janet
H.
Reader
review, email
I
am not much of a reader but, as an owner of various
birds for 12years I could not put your book down!. I
now own an Umbrella, African Grey, Yellow naped Amazon
and a very lively conure. Your story was touhcing and
really hit home. It should do well.
Congrats!!
Reader
review, email
I
read your entire book about Sarah today, and tonight
I'm in mourning! How lucky you are to have had her in
your life, as well as all of the other pets and wild
critters you described so well. Thank you SO MUCH for
sharing your story!
Melody S.
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