A parrot hero. Just sayin’.
A parrot that alerted his owner about a baby who was choking was recognized as a hero by the Red Cross.
Willie the parrot was given the Animal Lifesaver Award during the "Breakfast of Champions" event attended by Gov. Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Willie received the award Friday for his actions in November, when he and owner Megan Howard were baby-sitting a toddler. Willie repeatedly yelled "Mama, baby" when Howard went to the bathroom and the toddler started to choke on her breakfast.
Source and video KKTV
I love parrots. And this? Thank you, Willie.
There’s more in the happy animal story column tonight:
Buford ~ the tree-climbing dog. Who knew?
Buford, a 5-month-old hound mix, climbed a tree on Tuesday, and no one can figure out how he managed such a feat.
A KUB bucket truck crew rescued Buford from a tree in South Knox County that was more than 20 feet tall. No one saw it happen, but he had managed to find his way to the very top branch.
After doing a lot of coaxing, a KUB worker managed to get Buford into the bucket truck and back down into the waiting arms of his family.
Source & video WBIR
And frogs!
A scientific expedition to a remote area of Papua New Guinea has discovered 50 new animal species, including a brilliant green tree frog with huge black eyes, jumping spiders and a striped gecko, the Washington-based Conservation International announced today.
The species were found last summer during a month-long exploration of the island's central mountains. The freshly named Nyctimystes tree frog, above, was found next to a clear-running mountain river, the organization says.
50 New Species
How wonderful is all of this?
Well, it would be a lot more wonderful if we could find a helper dog for Caitlin Racenet.
My name is Caitlin Racenet. I am three years old and I love to sing and dance and play. I look like a regular sweet little girl, however there is a lot hiding behind my sparkling blue eyes. I suffer from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a non-curable disease that causes tumors to grow in major body organs.
I have several brain tumors that cause a severe, difficult-to-control seizure disorder. My mommy and daddy first noticed my seizures when I was 16 months old.
I have multiple seizures every day, especially when sleeping. I stop breathing in my sleep when seizures happen, which makes Mommy and Daddy very scared. It scares me too. I don’t sleep alone.
If I had a seizure doggy, then I hope the dog would make me feel better about sleeping alone and help Mommy and Daddy sleep too, because the dog will let them know when I am having a seizure.
Most days I have 6-8 seizures, although sometimes I can have 24-30. I take my medicines very good, but the seizures still come, and they seem to be getting worse. I don’t like it, but I know it’s not my fault.
My mommy and daddy are often scared to leave the room or do normal household things because they might not be there when I have a seizure. I know that they will think a seizure doggy is a gift to the whole family!
Four Paws for Ability
To date, the fundraising efforts for getting Caitlin a helper dog have raised $4,500. She needs $11,000 to pay for the dog's training.
Link. Caledonian Record.
See All for Caitlin.
Even a dollar would help.