The Cowboy and His Elephant: The Story of a Remarkable Friendship

By Malcolm MacPherson

Book Overview

In the late 1980s, a female baby elephant was born into a herd that lived on the plains of southern Africa. Her mother has carried her for two years, and normally she would have nursed her for five more. But the close-knit family of wild elephants was to face a predator for which it was no match--humans. In a "cull," her family was slaughtered in a few moments. Only the newborn female's life was spared. Terrified and bewildered the young elephant was transported to America to be sold. There she met the person who was to change her life forever. Bob Norris is a cowboy with an enormous empathy for animals that overwhelms his other emotions. He was raised with a pet bear and as a boy decided to become a real cowboy. He saw his dream come true in Colorado on one of the larger horse-and-cattle ranches in America. Handsome as a movie star, he became the Marlboro Man and appeared on TV and on billboards around the world. But with the passing of years, and with his own family grown up, he felt the need for something that he could not name. When she came into his life by happenstance, the hurt, vulnerable little elephant tapped the fullness of Bob's empathy, and an incredible bond between the most unlikely of friends was forged. Bob adopted the baby orphan elephant--named Amy--and patiently set about helping her recover from the trauma of her ordeal. He had never seen a real African elephant up close, except in zoos. He was a horseman and breeder of champion quarter horses. But through close observation, gentle training, humor, and endless perseverance, Bob gradually coaxed Amy into overcoming her mistrust of humans, and indeed, her fear of the world. The little elephant became a "hand" on Bob's ranch, tending to simple chores, riding the fences, and shadowing Bob on his horse. She developed a winning personality, and a strong character, and became a beloved member of the Norris family and partner to the ranch hands. But Bob knew from the start that the ultimate goal was for Amy to regain her confidence and her independence - even, if it were possible, to go back to the savannahs of Africa. This is the true story of how Amy and Bob came together. No one who reads The Cowboy and His Elephant can fail to be moved by such a simple tale of unlikely love.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312252099
• ISBN13: 9780312252090
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

I absolutely loved this book!!! Bob and Amy will forever be in your heart after you read this. This

Great read for any adult that is an animal lover and understands the bond between animals and humans. This book reminded me in ways of Water for Elephants and the many circus chapters.

Amy is in Arkansas

The true story of Bob and his good natured Amy. It is a wonderful read for anyone who loves animals but Amy's story did not really end the way the book implies. Instead, Amy resides at Riddle's Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary in Arkansas. I don't believe the author intentionally misleads the reader but I think the plans just fell through in the end and everyone decided it was best. I saw first-hand the excellent care and freedom she is given at Riddle's and approve whole-heartedly of the true ending.

Beautiful Story

This is a wonderful story of the connection between a man and his pet, this pet just happens to be an elephant. You will find out that the Marboro Man was not just a good-looking cowboy, but a man of exceptional depth and compassion. This is not great literature, but it is a great story and well told. The emotional lives of this unlikely pair will inspire a closer connection between man and beast.

There's a movie here

This is one of the sweetest and saddest animal stories I've ever read. I reviewed it when it first came out and found it fantastic. The only thing the paperback edition lacks is an update on what has happened to Amy. Norris was one of the Marlboro cowboy models, a true working cowboy, and he has a Colorado ranch. One day a fellow came along who wanted to board a few elephants. Norris didn't run a boarding stable and told the man so, but was persuaded to provide a place for a small group of baby elephants, freshly wrenched from their African herds. All sold to various places except the youngest and saddest, Amy, whose name was written on her crate. Norris couldn't see her leave the property after putting in a lot of time to keep her alive, so he bought her. Amy had the run of the property because she could open her stall door at will. She learned to help train cutting horses, although she scared the dickens out of the colts at first. She could lead a colt by the lead rope or reins. One day a colt that was checked up in bridle reins, learning to accept the bit, entered Amy's paddock through the open gate. Amy didn't like seeing him in there trying to eat her hay, although he couldn't reach it due to the reins holding him back. She came after him, firmly led him back into the arena and closed the gate to keep him out of her pen. THEN she took a trunkful of hay and fed him "by hand" so that he could eat. Little elephants become big elephants, and eventually the idyllic ranch life of being a monstrous pet nuisance had to end. Amy did learn discipline and an array of tricks including playing a toy piano in the horse trailer as he hauled her between their Colorado and Arizona properties. Ultimately Amy outgrew her life on the ranch and went to the Big Apple Circus. Of course elephants never forget, and when Norris and his wife went to watch Amy perform, she stampeded out of the ring...and knelt as close to him as she could get, sobbing in elephant. The crowd started to panic, then realized they were watching a reunion and not a killer on the loose. You'll love Amy and Mr. Norris. Have your kleenex handy.

Best thing I've read in a l-o-n-g time!

Once you start reading the story of baby elephant Amy and the bond all female elephants have with each other, and her subsequent separation from the herd due to merciless "culling" of the adults, your heart will break with the fate of the poor orphaned calf. Only through the warm heart of the "Marlboro Man" cowboy does Amy become adopted and brought onto his Colorado ranch to grow up and learn how to be an elephant. Cowboy Bob gives her a little goat as her playmate, and little by little draws her out of her fear of everything and turns her into a mischievous, intelligent and loving creature. Of course, nature takes its predestined course and Amy grows to quite a bit of tonnage and can't remain the cowboy's pet forever. The cowboy's decision to part with his "large love" is heart-wrenching on himself, the elephant, and the reader. The book is written in a flowing style rich with elephant facts and wild west allusions to fence mending and cattle driving. There's not a reader alive who wouldn't succumb to this touching story. Highly recommended....buy it, read it, and pass it around.

Mesmerizing and inspiring

Only rarely does a story like this come along, staying with you long after you read the final page. The love that develops between rancher Bob Norris and Amy, the orphaned elephant, is both haunting and beautiful. Even the most cynical will find their jaws dropping at the emotional bond between an animal-loving cowboy and a wild animal. When Bob adopts Amy, who has been yanked from her African home at a pitifully young age, neither can imagine the closeness they will soon feel toward one another; Amy becomes a member of the family, plain and simple, bringing a joy to Bob's life that is overwhelming. But the most compelling aspect, perhaps, of this book is its honesty: life with Amy is joyous but not always easy. She is, after all, essentially a wild animal, even if she does ride the range with Bob and adopt other farm animals as her own. Bob comes to realize that Amy has needs even his great love cannot provide for her. Bob finds the courage, and loves Amy enough, to give her the life she needs, the life she deserves. But it is not the end of their story, and it is only the beginning of Amy's incredible journey. Bob Norris and his family were given a rare chance to experience something most people will never have: a true melding of man and nature. Their story is a great gift, one that readers will keep always in their heart.