MY SMART PET

These clever critters are some smart C-O-O-K-I-E-S

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No Birdbrains Here

I should've known our cockatiel, Sara Lee, was special when we introduced her to our new baby and the bird immediately began speaking in a gentle baby voice rather than her usual booming squawks. In the coming days, Sara Lee would squawk every day in the late afternoon. I checked the door and found no one. Then, five minutes later, I'd hear my daughter stir. After several days of this, whenever Sara Lee squawked, I went to check the baby instead of the door. Sure enough, our bird was letting me know that the baby was beginning to wake up from her nap. I loved getting to be there as my daughter woke up each afternoon. Sara Lee was the best babysitter a mom could ask for.

—SUSAN HEITSCH

Sticking to the Schedule

Every day at 5 p.m., my Sheltie, Penny, stands in front of my recliner and lets me know it's time for dinner. Not her dinner—mine. She won't even glance at her food until she sees I've eaten mine. Then, at 9 p.m., she gets in my bed and waits for me to come settle down. Once I do, she heads off to her bed in the living room.

—JANIS ENDSLEY

Purring Inspection

We call our Siamese cat, Monty, the Inspector. That's because he doesn't let anything—from a package to your purse—through the door without a proper search. Last summer, I cleaned a bathtub that almost never gets used, then went upstairs. Monty was soon pawing at my elbow. I figured he wanted food, so I followed him downstairs, but was surprised when he turned into the living room instead of the kitchen. There was water everywhere! Apparently, the tub's pipes had cracked from lack of use. Monty came up to get me, then led me down two flights of stairs to show me the problem.

—CATHY BROOKS

A Measure of Intelligence