Stories1 min(s) read
Published 17:17 03 Mar 2020 GMT
There's one particular pit bull and chicken duo that has absolutely melted our hearts. This unlikely pairing was made up of Peri the chicken and a pit bull named Taj.
Sadly when Peri was just about six months old, she suffered a serious eye infection - which eventually led to her losing her sight.
Owner Christa Hubbard revealed in an interview with The Dodo:
"We made adjustments to help her as she lost her sight: bowls on a throw rug that make noise, special low roosting bars, an ottoman in the living room to ‘watch’ TV with us in the evening and an extra large ottoman in our room, next to our bed, for her bed. We hired a chicken ‘nanny’ to help her out when we weren’t home."
When Taj the pit bull joined the family, she was instantly drawn to the chicken and seemed intent on protecting her and forming a close bond with her.
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Hubbard continued:
"He was three years old and quickly took to helping her find her way. A seeing eye dog for a hen. These two spent the next eight years together. He would guide and protect her. They napped together, sunbathed together. Taj died in July 2018 after a long battle with cancer. Peri was lost without her buddy — she knew he was gone."
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When Taj died, the family was concerned about how her absence would affect Peri's happiness - as well as their own. So they decided to adopt two pit bull puppies and, just as the family had hoped, they have been a very positive influence on her.
Check out this rescue puppy who smiled for the camera seemingly in an effort to be adopted:
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Peri is particularly close with Gracie, who appears to be very in tune with the chicken's needs.
Hubbard said:
"Gracie will bring Peri a toy, place it in front of her and wait. When Peri is out in her yard doing chicken things, Gracie can be found laying outside the fence waiting for her (Peri has a fenced-in area as we have a pool). When Peri is on her ottoman ‘watching’ TV, Gracie brings her a toy. First thing in the morning when we get up, Gracie checks on her sleeping friend."
