Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl

On Valentine's Day 1985, biologist Stacey O'Brien first met a four-day-old baby barn owl -- a fateful encounter that would turn into an astonishing 19-year saga. With nerve damage in one wing, the owlet's ability to fly was forever compromised, and he had no hope of surviving on his own in the wild. O'Brien, a young assistant in the owl laboratory at Caltech, was immediately smitten, promising to care for the helpless owlet and give him a permanent home. Wesley the Owl is the funny, poignant story of their dramatic two decades together.

With both a tender heart and a scientist's eye, O'Brien studied Wesley's strange habits intensively and first-hand -- and provided a mice-only diet that required her to buy the rodents in bulk (28,000 over the owl's lifetime). As Wesley grew, she snapped photos of him at every stage like any proud parent, recording his life from a helpless ball of fuzz to a playful, clumsy adolescent to a gorgeous, gold-and-white, macho adult owl with a heart-shaped face and an outsize personality that belied his 18-inch stature. Stacey and Wesley's bond deepened as she discovered Wesley's individual personality, subtle emotions, and playful nature that could also turn fiercely loyal and protective -- though she could have done without Wesley's driving away her would-be human suitors!

O'Brien also brings us inside the prestigious research community, a kind of scientific Hogwarts where resident owls sometimes flew freely from office to office and eccentric, brilliant scientists were extraordinarily committed to studying and helping animals; all of them were changed by the animal they loved. As O'Brien gets close to Wesley, she makes important discoveries about owl behavior, intelligence, and communication, coining the term "The Way of the Owl" to describe his inclinations: he did not tolerate lies, held her to her promises, and provided unconditional love, though he was not beyond an occasional sulk. When O'Brien develops her own life-threatening illness, the biologist who saved the life of a helpless baby bird is herself rescued from death by the insistent love and courage of this wild animal.

Enhanced by wonderful photos, Wesley the Owl is a thoroughly engaging, heartwarming, often funny story of a complex, emotional, non-human being capable of reason, play, and, most important, love and loyalty. It is sure to be cherished by animal lovers everywhere.

This is an absolutely incredible book about a young woman who literally spent her life with her little owl from birth to death. I am also saddened to read that she herself was ill. I wish you the best Stacy and hope you are well. You did a wonderful job on this book!!!

"Couldn't put it down".
Seriously. I picked up this book at my local library on a whim.. basically being I like birds, especially birds of prey. So, this cute little owl covered book caught me and I took it home and did noththing but read from start to finish.
The author intrigued me by simple education of the biology of barn owls while wrapping it all up in a mothering love nest of emotion.
I cried and laughed and I felt I was there through the 20 years. Wonderful.
I bought this book (Amazon) and sent it to my dad across the country. I have never done that before. I just wanted him to share this great story with me.

I had an owl once. I had a cat before I had an owl but the owl changed that. I wish I still had a cat instead of still having an owl that wants to kill me and my family. Owls make horrible pets and this book is ridiculous and wrong. 5 stars.

This book is truly inspirational! I thought it would just be about the life of an owl, but it was really about so much more. It touched me deeply and I don't think I will ever forget this book.

Enlightening insight into the life and emotions of an owl. I've always admired owls and wonder how it would be to have an owl. It's a magnificent book on Wesley's behavior and a really credit to the patience and love of Stacy O'Brien. Wonderful.
gloria