Day before yesterday when Penelope and I went on her walk I noticed that she was sleeping much more than normal. She would still wake up and make her happy chicken chirps when we passed her favorite spots. I don’t know if it’s the smell or what that made her like certain places along the path, but she always became more alert and looked around when we would pass them.

One of the spots she loved was when we walked under this big pine tree. It did smell so good. Another was a yard that had a double lot that was treed. It must have been the scent of the pine trees that she loved. She also like the creek bed, again heavily treed. On that last walk I had her in her carrier but realized as we started that she did prefer her stroller. For anyone who thinks she didn’t know what a walk was, whenever I asked, “Penelope walk?” she immediately perked up and turned her head toward me.

She had been eating and drinking well. I did notice that she was getting weaker. She would stay in her crate until time for breakfast then I would move her to the floor to feed her. After that she would go into her chair and I would take her outside to get fresh air and sunshine.

When she would come in I would give her water and food and she would stay in her chair until bedtime. She loved spa music so I always had either Roku Zen Life on or Spa on Sirius XM.

After that last walk she didn’t want to eat or drink very much. I put her in her chair where she immediately went to sleep. Donny and I decided to just let her sleep in her chair that night because I hadn’t pulled it taut so it was more of a sling and she seemed very comfortable.

The next morning she didn’t want to open her eyes, eat or drink. I knew that she was actively dying. We turned all of the lights off and I put on her music. Hannah and I were gone most of the day and when we came home that evening she was still breathing. I would sit and talk to her most of the night and pet her head because she always liked that. The last time I walked by her, her eyes opened and she brought one of her wings up. I told her I loved her and gave her a pat. She closed her eyes and died.

I am sad, but I know that I gave her the best life I could. We could have just let her pass away outside not being able to move and having the other chickens turn on her, but there was no way I was doing that. She was my chicken, the only one with an actual name. She deserved our hospice care.

I placed her in her chicken carrier, wrapped her in her towel and buried her in the backyard. It was strange this morning, walking into the living room and not waking her up and telling her good morning, but I know she had a good life even if it was only for 6 years.

So today I am thankful that I was able to take care of Penelope and have a family that did not think I was crazy for having a house chicken. I will miss our walks and the time we spent together hanging outside. Penelope you will be missed.