Introduction
In November 2010, my book, Save The Animals And Children, was published. Sometime before that, a friend said I should write a children’s book but I figured I couldn’t. That changed in late 2010 with my really short book about creatures and the environment – especially that of where I live – written by Wendy the woodchuck. When people ask, I tell them Save The Animals And Children is a sophisticated children’s book about really smart animals. So is this one. It’s also about heroes, the environment, communication, devotion and caring.
Over the last few months I have seen programs on television and read quite a few books about smart elephants, orangutans, parrots, cats and dogs, who also display feelings and use intuition. Those five species are only the beginning of the list. Chantek the orangutan may not be able to talk like you or me, but he knows sign language. He knows it well, even creating his own symbols. He probably can curse in it. He’s so smart that he uses tools, emulates Felix Unger, and can tell you where your car is parked so you can take him to the Dairy Queen. Moreover, he leaves his trailer at night – I think he has a date – and to get through the chain link fence, unravels it. Eventually he fixes it so that no one can tell that he escaped that way. Chantek is one smart great ape.
Before he died, Alex the African Grey Parrot was famous. He could talk, just listening to humans. He recognized colors and did simple math. When getting the answer wrong, he was just showing that he was bored, which Greys experience quite often. Alex really knew the right answer. Another Grey was named Charlie Parker. His owner, Deborah Smith, encountered an obnoxious insurance agent on the phone and wasn’t making much progress. She was quite frustrated. Charlie heard her and sympathized with her. Sounding exactly like Deb’s husband, Michael, the bird offered a few off color remarks, even though he was a Grey.
An eagle named Freedom arrived at a rehabilitation center where Jeff Guidry became his caretaker and saved his life. Months later, the eagle would return the favor. This story is as incredible as the tale of Andre, the seal pup rescued by Harry Goodridge of Rockport, Maine. Harry took care of Andre, and the seal left the area there and headed out into the ocean. He always returned, even if it was days later. Winter was a challenge for Andre so Harry was fortunate to place the seal at the New England Aquarium for the cold months. The first trip there by car wasn’t pleasant for Andre so Harry let him swim back in the spring. He managed to find his way to the Goodridge place, which he did yearly. Even when Andre was losing his vision, he still managed the journey.
You’ll read about Aisha and Echo, two elephants who managed well with people as well as their families. A few dogs I talk about are Boo, Ace, Sergeant Rex, Oogy, Marley, Barney, Katie and Pransky. Some you may have heard of. Dewey and Oscar show off their skills as felines. Spirit Bear, Wesley the owl, Otter 501, Christopher Hogwood and Clyde the cassowary – not his real name –ogwoogH are a few others along with their keepers that I’ll familiarize you with. I’ll also mention some creatures that people stay away from or just don’t like. In many cases, the feeling is mutual, and I don’t blame the animals.
For some time I’ve never doubted that many creatures possessed intelligence despite not being able to talk – Alex and his buddies are the exception. I’m not getting into the definition of that word, but only say that over the last few months I’ve come to acknowledge that walruses, sharks, emus, crows and pigeons are equipped with brains and may have more smarts and feelings than many humans. Some scientists don’t believe that animals have common sense, intelligence or can feel emotion. This book might convince them and doubters otherwise.
One of the words in my title needs some consideration: smart. Combining it with another word or two creates an oxymoron in many cases. It wasn’t long ago that we were introduced to smart bombs. If they are so smart, why do we have collateral damage when they land on hospitals and schools? Wouldn’t doctors, nurses, the wounded and students be still alive if these bombs were smart? More recently the smart phone appeared for sale. I doubt that this item is smart since the majority of the people say that the cell phone is the worst invention ever. If I can’t find my phone, why doesn’t it tell me where it is if it’s so smart? Another off-the-wall use of the word is with the body part that we sit on. Perhaps that phrase should be coupled with another one that we hear quite often, She – or he – has a nice xxx, which seems reasonable because you can talk to it since it’s smart.
Returning to my four word title, the first half might be an oxymoron in too many cases as proven by the warning given at Yellowstone National Park to not take selfies with bears. This was recently reported on National Public Radio. Apparently, that advice is necessary. Smarter Animals is fine since a comparison is involved. Additionally, owners of pets, those who work at animal rescue facilities or zoos and scientists studying four-legged, crawling, swimming and flying animals are smart people. It is my hope that when you finish reading my book you’ll agree that my title is quite appropriate.
The photos on the book cover are from top to bottom and left to right: Alex, Barney, Freedom, Su-Lin, Christian, Dewey, Chantek, Seabiscuit with jockey Johnny Red Pollard, and Christopher Hogwood. In a few cases the pictures are of trained actors.
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