the romantic life of chickens

It does not surprise me to hear this story. Chickens are not the most intelligent creatures on this earth, but it does go to show that they have feelings just like we do. Knowing that they have these feelings makes it even sadder to think of the way that chickens are treated in those big sheds that have them locked in cages their whole lives. They are treated so cruelly the poor little things, which is why I will never again buy cage eggs or eat chicken!

I have two cats that have been living together for the past six years although they have not grown up together. They always seem to be not particularly close and generally just tolerated each other. For the last few weeks I have had to separate them because one of them is quite sick and on special food which I don’t want the other one to eat. Since they’ve been apart they have been very despondent especially the one who is not sick, she appears at a loss and stands by the door that separates them looking sad; it’s quite remarkable actually.

Our Shih Tzu, who happily bossed our Scottish terrier around for the two years we had him, passed away at age thirteen. He was buried in our flower bed, complete with a grave marker and pots of flowers. Mr. Scotty goes to visit the grave every time he goes out the front door to do his business. He stands quietly looking at the last place he saw his friend. I am looking for a new buddy for him, but cannot afford the price at the humane shelters, since it seems to run about $200 every time I save a pet. With my husband's illness, even with insurance, money seems to fly out of our hands and into the pharmaceutical and medical realms. Since his friend's passing, Mr. Scotty has become my husband's protector, sleeping at the foot of his master's wheelchair or bringing his pull toy to help my husband exercise his one good arm. I think animals do not have the short memories we insist they have. Otherwise, Mr. Scotty would have forgotten Little Guy by now.

Nickademus, my black mustang (horse) mourned heavily after his lady hoss, Karma past away (ok, the vet did it, and it took forever, costed a bundle and sucked in general) He could not be consoled...I had been sitting on the steps with his head in my lap and had to pee, so I went in the basement door into the family room bathroom, sat down and when I looked up, Nick had followed me inside, through the garage and laundry room, into the house! Luckily, about that same time, I got a call from the horse rescue who said they had an elderly equine to be Nick's new friend, available immediately. Husband went to retrieve Homer (AKA The Lil red rocket).When Homer went, it was equally sad, but he had 35+ years, and Nick wasn't in horse love with him, again he mourned, not as bad as the first time, but this time we had a few days before he got a new pasture mate. Francis, our aged brown quarter horse came with my pal's farm in NJ when he bought it, he didn't need a feed bag and I needed a companion horse. Now, a 6 yr old rides them every now and again, all are happy.

Animals do bond with one another. What fascinates me is when one species bonds with another...as in cat/dog bonding. I have several cats...and two dogs. They all sleep together, eat together and play together.

I haven't been around enough animals to notice their behavior towards one another, but it's an interesting thought. Many believe that animals don't have emotions and feelings, but I always thought that they did. It's very sweet.

that was a cool real romantic!

What a beaut story. I've never had an animal pass and be missed by the remaining one. All my pets have been too self centered it seems. Although there was a puppy I rescued then handed over to my daughter. While I was minding him, he and my cat got along famously, they had the best times together. Several months later when my girls came for their next visit they brought him back...it took him about 15 minutes to get his bearings after an eight hour car trip...he came barrelling in through the front door with no hesitation and he anmd my cat picked up where they left off. He was only a couple of months old maybe when I rescued him. He left me about 3 weeks later and he returned about 4 months later. Such a clever little boy. It's been about 8 months since they've been here and they will be back at Christmas so it will be interesting to se if these two are still interested in each other

That's a bitter-sweet story, Judith. I think humans have compassion, just like humans too and feelings of missing that other better half or something happens to humans and animals. This thing called love and attraction; a really powerful thing. I've never seen animals like that, but I really feel for the little kitten just being born and then the mom is gone to look for food and when she comes back, the little kitten's missing.

I'm pretty sure Tiger is missing Sunny (they were litter mates). But chickens? Interesting...

So, we must treasure the immediate possession ,or later you will feel regret,unfortunately, things like the world's peace.

Hi Jb. My little cat, Poppy, had a litter a few years ago, and one of the babies, when she was just a week old, wasn't feeding, and was just crying, poor wee mite. So I took her to the vet, thinking maybe she had a little bug and he would give me some antibiotics, but he told me her stomach hadn't developed properly and he had to put her to sleep. I didn't take her in the cat box, because she was so tiny - I took her in a padded bag, further padded with towels, and when I brought it back into the house, Poppy watched me expectantly, waiting for me to produce her baby. So I gave her a cuddle, but of course, she was into the bag, rooting around for her wee one, then looking at me and crying "where's my baby?". It was dreadful, poor wee soul. She was like that even after I put the bag away - into the cupboard and pulling it back out, then going inside it. She had two others to look after, so she did recover, but yeah, she did feel it.

I agree with you, animals that are good to be eaten are unlucky. And now I'm getting hungry for some fried chicken!