Written with the same heartwarming sentiment that made the memoir Marley & Me a runaway bestseller, biologist and owl expert O’Brien chronicles her rescue of an adorable, abandoned baby barn owl–and their astonishing and unprecedented 19-year life together.
Wesley the Owl
By staceyobrien
I loved reading about Wesley. This is a great vehicle for learning about barn owls and what it involved to raise one.
I can’t imagine taking on the responsibility of raising a wild animal in my home. I really enjoyed this book. So glad I read it.
Spoiler alert – before you start this novel make room in your heart for an adorable little barn owl named Wesley. You won’t be able to resist this smart, fluffy bundle of energy. On Valentine’s Day, biologist Stacey O’Brien adopted a baby barn owl with an injured wing who couldn’t survive in the wild. Talk about a life- changing decision! For almost 20 years Wesley and Stacey shared a life. As she says, “he was my teacher, my companion, my child, my playmate, my reminder of God.”
What a treat that the author decided to share this love story with us. Life with a wild barn owl is not for everyone. I stand in deep admiration of the author’s infinite level of patience. Her devotion certainly pays off in a deeply empathetic, emotional communion with this beautiful creature.
A wonderful gift in this book is the large number of photos of Wesley in his everyday glory. The photos alone will melt your heart. But then to read the stories behind this cutie, you’ll be delighted. As the author says, “he joyfully poured out his love in loud exclamations and had boisterous opinions about everything. He kept a running commentary on all that happened in our lives, in his owl language . . . we were happy together.”
But don’t get the idea that raising an owl, and living with one, is an endeavor for those faint of heart. The description of daily life and required routines make me realize that the model owl adoptive parent is a trained biologist specializing in wild animal behavior, working at Caltech (California Institute of Technology) where scientists from all over the world were on the barn owl research team.
Wesley’s story is so humorous, I often found myself laughing out loud. The author really captures the humor in everyday activities. I had so much fun reading the story and looking at the many photos that I was surprised to find how much I’d learned about barn owls, and also about animal behavior in general. Some of these lessons are couched in the theme throughout that is “the Way of the Owl”. I’m excited that I’ve learned so much in such an enjoyable way. It’s amazing how well Wesley communicated with his beloved human family. The author notes that “we are on the cusp of a new understanding of animal communication.” Thank you Wesley, for teaching me too.
For anyone who believes in the emotions, and soul, and intelligence of animals – you will be captivated by the exploits of Wesley the Owl.
This book will keep you reading until you just have to put the book down. A unbelievable story of devotion, giving, sharing and the 17 year relationship between a 2 day old barn owl and his unlikely keeper. A do not miss
Enjoyed this book. Well written. Even the expected ending was good…sad…but really good.
It is an outstanding story. If we all had friends like Wesley, the world would be a better place. When I say friend, Wesley was/is.
I have hardly ever cried as much at the predictable ending of this memoir of a woman involved in animal welfare and the owl she adopted and saved at just a few days old. Will teach you things you never knew and will make you more sympathetic to other sentient beings besides ourselves. Although I read this book as soon as I bought it which was a while ago, even today I was thinking about it.
I learned more about owls in the first chapter than I had ever known before. Loved every moment.
Weird and wonderful life!
Loved learning so much about owls
Wesley the owl was incredible! Who knew owls could communicate with humans? Both Stacy and Wesley were amazing….Wesley because of how smart he was, and Stacy because of her dedication to him.
I love owls. Now, maybe not so much. I don’t see how she could handle the mess
One of the most beautiful stories of the connection between an animal and a human being. You’ll fall in love with Wesley the Owl and Stacey.
If you like animals, you will enjoy this book. It is a thorough introduction to ols and their habits and behaviors. A few aspects are less than pleasant to learn, but overall it’s told from a personal but biologically framed perspective.
I loved “Wesley The Owl”…what a fun story. He was rescued by a bright and very caring young scientist who devoted many years of her life to making a beautiful but injured barn owl feel safe and loved. Very heartwarming especially during these strange times.
Stacey O,Brien is a biologist who adopted a barn owl who could not live in the wild. It was a baby that imprinted onto Stacey. She worked in the Owl department at Cal-Tech but the owl lived with her at her home for almost a decade. The book is funny, educational, and sad when Wesley (the owl) died. Stacey discovered Owls are extremely intelligent and capable of learning far more than ever thought. It is factual any yet very personal. If you love animals you will love this book.
Never New much about owls. Story was more informative than entertaining.
Didn’t care for it
Amazing story of a woman and her owl.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. SAVING OWLS IS GREAT!!!