Elliott

   Every family has its characters. We have a number in our family and I say that affectionately. My brother Jim is quite a character- he keeps me laughing- so it is only natural that he would also have a pet that's quite a character. Jim's African Grey parrot, Elliott, keeps us laughing as he imitates us and says and does the unexpected. He's actually a great bird but has occasionally bit a person or two when we weren't careful. When we cry out in distress, Jim just congratulates us on our new membership to the "Elliott Club". After one such encounter with Elliott, Elliott looked at me and said in a little sarcastic tone that didn't sound sincere at all, "Are you okaaaaaaay?"