A blind chicken and her pit bull siblings have formed an unlikely, yet adorable, friendship.
The Hubbard family of Phoenix, Ariz. adopted Peri the chicken when she was just days old. Six months later, she tragically lost her eyesight. Despite taking her to specialists and giving her medication, there was nothing the family could do to spare her vision after she suffered from a severe eye infection.
After accepting this unfortunate reality, the Hubbards decided to do everything possible to ensure that Peri has a great life.
“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,” Christa Hubbard told The Dodo. “We hired a chicken ‘nanny’ to help her out when we weren’t home.”
Peri developed an affectionate, loving personality as her family gave her extra attention to accommodate her special needs. Her personality helped her become best friends with Taj, the Hubbards’ pit bull, who assumed the role of protective big brother for his blind chicken sister.
“He was three years old and quickly took to helping her find her way,” Christa explained. “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.”
Sadly, Taj lost his battle against cancer and passed away in July 2018. Concerned about how Peri would cope with the loss, the family adopted another pit bull, Gracie.
Peri’s newly-formed bond with her sister has helped her heal. Gracie keeps a watchful eye over Peri, laying near her fenced-in area outside and even delivering the hen’s toys to her. The pair are inseparable.
“Gracie will bring Peri a toy, place it in front of her, and wait,” Hubbard said. “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.”
Peri’s friendships with her canine siblings remind us of both the possibility and importance of inter-species bonds.
