Talking Bird Obsessed With Quoting Scripture Wins Pet of the Week

Newsweek

20 hours ago

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This week's pet stories included incredible rescues of baby foxes and dogs, as well as unexpected animals befriending each other at an aquarium.
But these viral stories aren't the only ones that captured our attention. Thanks to our readers' emails with videos and pictures of their pets, we have another roundup for our Newsweek Pet of the Week lineup.
Don't forget; follow the instructions at the end of this story to submit your furbabies for our Pet of the Week.
Winner
A photo of Sonny, a 2-year-old parakeet, who loves quoting scripture the owners taught him.
A photo of Sonny, a 2-year-old parakeet, who loves quoting scripture the owners taught him.
Cindy Drake
A nonstop talking bird touched our hearts, earning himself the title of Newsweek's Pet of the Week.
Cindy Drake and her family taught this nearly 2-year-old Indian ringneck parakeet named Sonny scripture passages, she told Newsweek via email. Unexpectedly, he's been taking it upon himself to continue quoting verses, stepping into the role of a preacher.
"He talks every day and especially loves to say 'Hallelujah, praise the Lord, Amen,'" Drake said.
But Sonny doesn't stop at just quoting the Bible. Drake said he also loves saying "Good morning, Sunshine," and "What's up, Buttercup?"
Finalists
A photo of an owner's cats, Pepper and Rocky, who remind her of her dad who passed in October.
A photo of an owner's cats, Pepper and Rocky, who remind her of her dad who passed in October.
Brenda Tucker Leonard
Brenda Tucker Leonard's father has always been an animal lover. He would befriend the stray cats in the neighborhood and owned a few himself. And at 90, he wanted to own one more kitten, she told Newsweek via email.
He first owned Pepper, but the cat "chose" Tucker Leonard instead, which led to a friend whom he helped mentor in making jewelry with quahog shells, surprising him with a kitten of his own. He loved the kitten up until the end.
After his passing in October, his daughter took in the kitten, Rocky. Now, the two cats are together, enjoying their best life with her and the dogs. These curious cats are energetic, curious and know their names.
She loves them, especially as they're a daily reminder to her of her dad and his lifelong love of animals.
Photos of a Gus, a 3-year-old chocolate cocker spaniel who snuck his way into his owner's lap.
Photos of a Gus, a 3-year-old chocolate cocker spaniel who snuck his way into his owner's lap.
Cindy Bigelow
Next up, we have Gus, a 3-year-old chocolate cocker spaniel, who is "needy" for attention. He's always been curious and joyful.
Cindy Bigelow shared a photo progression of Gus sneaking his way into her lap, which happens often. He can't get enough of being with his humans. It doesn't matter if they're sitting in the recliner, in the kitchen or bathroom, he'll cozy himself right up next to them.
"In this photo, I was sitting with my legs crossed, and he felt he needed to see what I was doing," she told Newsweek via email. "So, he slowly pressed his face through the opening between my knee and leg."
Photo of a dog named Stella watching over the turtle, Waffles, who was enjoying a soak in the pool.
Photo of a dog named Stella watching over the turtle, Waffles, who was enjoying a soak in the pool.
Monica Blons
Last, but not least, we have a dog taking safety into her own paws after becoming concerned while a turtle enjoyed a soak in the pool.
Monica Blons shared a photo of her dog, Stella, standing at the edge of the pop-up pool. The dog peered down with her nose right up against the turtle's back.
The turtle, Waffles, was sitting calmly in the water, but Stella didn't want to put anything to chance as the "lifeguard" of the pool.
If you think your pet could be next week's Newsweek "Pet of the Week," send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them to [e-mail], and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.