Page 30 - Abacoa Community News - November '24

Page 30, Abacoa
Book Review

And they are smart!
What The Chicken Knows: Here are just a few
A New Appreciation Of The examples of the many
surprises you will find in
World’s Most Familiar Bird these pages. (Some text
has been omitted for lack
By Nils A. Shapiro of space):
All you need to know • “In 2023, a study reported
is that the author is Sy that roosters recognize their
Montgomery. own reflections in mirrors
For millions of readers – common … measure of
around the world, and I do self-awareness. Previous
mean millions, the name Sy experiments show that
Montgomery is associated apes, like humans, do this.”
with more than 35 books, • “Only hours after leaving For me personally, as I turned the last page of What the
many of which have climbed the egg they are able to walk, run and peck.” (An adult Chicken Knows, one thought struck me most poignantly:
the bestseller lists in 25 chicken can run as fast as nine miles an hour!) Ever thoughtful and considerate of her readers, Montgomery
countries around the world – • “Relationships are important to them. The average has kept this book’s focus entirely on helping us to better
most describing her exciting adventures with some of nature’s chicken can recognize more than 100 other chickens. understand and enjoy the fascinating and fun facts about
most fearsome creatures. They can remember the past and anticipate the future, and these remarkable birds who are so much a part of our lives.
It is with good reason that the Boston Globe has described they communicate specific information through at least Not once in these pages does this author mention that she
award-winning author Sy Montgomery as “a combination of 24 distinct calls.” A warning signal from a rooster to his herself is a vegetarian, nor does she devote a single sentence
Indiana Jones and Emily Dickinson” for the beautiful way in hens, for example, will alert them to whether an enemy is to the suffering of these sentient creatures from the cruelty
which she has written about such experiences as being chased approaching by ground or from the air! of the factory-like poultry industry. It was not her purpose
by a silverback gorilla in Africa, hunted by man-eating tigers There is hardly a page without an eye-opening surprise: in writing this book.
in India (National Geographic produced a TV special about “The disturbing fact that, on the way to the soup pot, a Sparing us such a balanced narrative is her gift to this
that), worked in a pit with 18,000 snakes in Manitoba, swam chicken can continue to run around after decapitation does book’s readers despite what I know to be her own deep
with piranhas and dolphins in the Amazon, studied octopuses little to bolster appreciation for the species’ more refined feelings on the subject, having read and reviewed half a dozen
in their Gulf of Mexico habitat for her classic National Book traits. In fact, one rooster was able to live for 18 months of her earlier books.
Award finalist Soul of an Octopus, was undressed by a wild after his head was cut off. Farmer Lloyd Olsen, hoping to As a senior now, I realize that if this book had been written
orangutan, learned the art of falconry so she could hunt as a please his visiting mother-in-law, who particularly savored decades ago it might have been a life-changing experience in
partner with one of the world’s most feared predators … and boiled chicken neck, failed to kill the rooster when his axe one sense for me. Perhaps it’s not too late. I hear those plant-
too many more to touch on here. missed the bird’s carotid artery and left one ear and most based burgers and other meat substitutes are pretty good …
So, I was more than a little surprised when I learned of the brain stem intact. Not only did the victim survive, but and I would feel so good about myself.
that Sy’s new book, published this month, is devoted to … he grew from two and a half pounds to eight and attained I strongly suggest you lay your hands on a copy of this
chickens! My first thought was, what could there possibly national fame as Mike the Headless Chicken from 1945 book as soon as possible … even if you have to scramble to
be to learn about these birds that all of us already know to 1947.” get it!
so well?
How wrong I was! And how fortunate we all are to have so What Is Cryoablation And
knowledgeable a guide as Sy Montgomery to enrich our lives
once again in making us aware of what unrealized wonder
and beauty surrounds us, all too often under-appreciated. How Does It Treat Breast Cancer?
For those not yet familiar with Montgomery’s background,
I should point out that she and her author-historian husband,
Howard Mansfield, live in New Hampshire and for decades Chances are you or and benign breast disease management. Additionally, Dr.
have shared their home’s property from time to time with an someone you know will Kleban holds board certification from the American Board
assortment of animals, from their border collie dog, Thurber, be diagnosed with breast of Surgery, underscoring her commitment to excellence.
to a pig that they raised from a tiny runt to 500-plus pound cancer. One in eight One of the most notable aspects of Kleban’s work
Volkswagen-sized Christopher Hogwood who wandered women at some point in is her use of cryoablation in the treatment of breast
the town on his own getting handouts from the butcher, their life will learn they tumors. Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure
pet scratches from the kids and became the subject of a have it. According to the that utilizes extreme cold to destroy cancerous tissue.
bestselling book by Montgomery. American Cancer Society This innovative approach offers several advantages over
But always among her favorites have been the small (ACS), more than 300,000 traditional surgical methods, including smaller incisions,
flock of egg-laying hens that she calls her “little ladies,” who women will be diagnosed reduced scarring, and faster recovery times. Moreover,
have their own chicken coop but are allowed free run of the with invasive breast cancer cryoablation is an effective option for patients who may
backyard under the protection of several of the latest team this year alone. According Dr. Donna Kleban, Breast not be suitable candidates for traditional surgery due to
of roosters. to ACS, almost 43,000 Surgeon age, health conditions, or personal preferences.
And one could not want a better protector than a rooster, women will die this year Kleban’s journey as a breast surgeon began in 1990
as two episodes described by Montgomery make very clear: from breast cancer. The devastating impact of breast cancer when she started her practice in Palm Beach County.
one in which a fox that had sneaked onto the property with extends beyond statistics; it touches the lives of patients, Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated
chicken dinner in mind got the shock of its life facing an families, and communities across the nation. The need not only medical expertise but also genuine compassion
angry, charging rooster and did a rapid about-face … and for groundbreaking treatments and dedicated physicians for her patients. Her ability to combine the latest medical
another time, when Sy’s husband, Howard, was lying on the is more pressing than ever. advancements with a deeply empathetic approach has
ground repairing a lawnmower. As she describes it: Dr. Donna H. Kleban, M.D., FACS, is a highly earned her the trust and gratitude of countless individuals
“Just beyond the narrow space between the grass and experienced breast surgeon with PBHNPG (Palm Beach and their families.
the machine’s metal undercarriage, movement catches your Health Network Physician Group) and her role at the For more information on breast surgeon Dr. Donna
eye. Scaley reptilian, yellow feet, heavily armed with long, Norma E. & Miles M. Zisson Comprehensive Breast Center Kleban visit pbhnphysiciangroup.com/services/breast-
pointed claws – and, just above the toes, curved, knife-sharp of the Palm Beaches at Good Samaritan Medical Center surgery. To learn more about the Norma E. & Miles
spurs – are purposefully striding toward you at face level. It has brought renewed hope to breast cancer patients in the M. Zisson Comprehensive Breast Center of the Palm
feels like that scene from Jurassic Park, where the humans region. Her impressive repertoire of expertise includes Beaches at Good Samaritan Medical Center visit
are hiding from the hunting velociraptor – an animal from in-office ultrasound and breast biopsies, stereotactic GoodSamaritanMC.com/services/comprehensive-breast-
which, in fact, your avian assailant is descended. breast biopsies, genetic testing, high-risk surveillance, center.
“You have been detected. The ominous feet hurry now, intraoperative radiation therapy, oncoplastic surgery,
pounding the ground in a frenzy. There is no mistaking it; this
is a rooster on a rampage – the bane of many an otherwise
peaceful barnyard.” One-to-One College Planning
What to do? The answer, shockingly, is to pick it up and
cuddle it!
It is from Montgomery’s several decades of her own Grades 9-12
experience raising her “ladies,” many from chicks, plus her
roosters and all that she has studied about her ever-changing
flocks, that she has filled the pages of this deceptively slim All inclusive college services
96-page book with an extraordinary number of surprising Test prep, essays & resumes,
facts about the birds we all – mistakenly – thought we knew.
Within the first few pages you will readily understand Applications, deadlines,
why more families than you might imagine throughout the scholarships, & more.
nation enjoy the company of chickens (how many “pets”
offer the gift of eggs in return for their care?) and name each
of the birds in their precious feathered family members for Free consultation.
its individual personality, color or other physical feature.
As she notes, some are shy, some more aggressive; some Class101.com/northpalmbeach • 561-418-7897
affectionate, others aloof. Just like humans.