PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
When Mr Beel’s father-in-law died his young parrot Ruby was left to Mr Beel’s delighted daughter Vanessa.
But Mr Beel said Ruby either liked someone or did not and took a strong disliking to Vanessa’s husband, biting him and keeping him awake at night.
Not wanting to break his daughter’s heart he took Ruby in and the parrot has never looked back.
He still goes dog walking with Vanessa, whistling with a follow-up for the family dog "Chewy come back".
He can often be found at the Otago Polytechnic where Grant teaches carpentry, delighting staff and pupils.
Regular walks around the city, with Ruby perched on Mr Beel’s shoulder, are start-stop affairs as people meet the parrot.
