Alex and I

On September 6, 2007, an African grey parrot named Alex died prematurely at the age of 31. His last words to Irene, his owner, were: "Be well. I love you." What would normally be a private and intimate event, in Alex's case, made headlines in major US media outlets and had international repercussions. Although his brain was smaller than a walnut, Alex had a vocabulary of over a hundred words, understood concepts such as bigger, smaller, more, little, and none, could add, and identify colors. He was capable of thought and demonstrated intentionality. Named one of the best books of 2008 by the New York Times, Alex and Me is a fascinating account by scientist Irene Pepperberg of her relationship and work with Alex over 30 years, which opened a window into the vast world of animal minds. When the two met, it was commonly assumed that birds lacked the potential for language, consciousness, or anything remotely comparable to the human mind. Together, Alex and Irene uncovered a fascinating reality: that we live in a world populated by thinking, conscious creatures. The resulting fame was extraordinary. But there was a side to their relationship that the newspapers never recorded. They were emotionally intertwined. They shared a bond that went far beyond science. Alex missed Irene when she was away. He was jealous when she paid attention to the other parrots and even other people. He liked to show her who was boss. And he loved to dance. Sometimes he got bored with the repetitive tests and played pranks on her. Sometimes they disagreed. But every day they exchanged a loving "I love you." During these years, Alex and Irene remained together through thick and thin—despite the scorn of many other scientists, the extraordinary financial sacrifices, and a nomadic life moving from one university to the next. ALEX AND ME is a moving tribute to these three decades of adventure, evoking the struggle for recognition, the initial triumphs, the training techniques, the obstacles and frustrations, and the unexpected and impressive achievements during pioneering research to uncover Alex's cognitive abilities, abilities no one imagined possible, challenging the most profound assumptions of science. A story that reveals both a landmark scientific achievement and an unforgettable bond between a human and an animal.