Anyone who’s read Janet Evanovich’s novels won’t be surprised to hear that she’s an animal lover. Her books have included a Golden Retriever with a penchant for eating panties, an exploding squirrel (stuffed and mounted before the explosion, luckily), a back-flipping monkey, a gull that’s caught in a strong head wind, rabbits, pigs and a hamster that cohabitates with a lady bounty hunter. Parrots haven’t figured into Janet’s madcap books, at least not yet, but one very special parrot is an important part of her life, her 24-year-old Alexandrine parakeet, Ida.
Ida, which is male, shares Janet’s office, where he keeps her company while she writes. Although she describes him as “really rude,” she adores her bird and leaves his cage door open so that he can come out as he pleases while she works.
**For the full article, pick up the February 2009 issue of BIRD TALK**
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