Let's Split! by Amber Chenoweth, Director of Marketing

Have you ever seen a chicken on wheels?  Imagine my surprise, new on the job at Pasado’s Safe Haven, when I walked in the office and saw a chicken attempting to roll along in a little cart with wheels.  Coming from past jobs of cubicles and corporate office environments where chickens most certainly were not allowed, I thought that it was one of the most interesting things I had ever seen. 

Why was the chicken on wheels, you ask?  Beauty had been a child’s chick hatching project in school and was born with deformed legs which enabled her to walk.  Read more about her story here.

Unfortunately, this was not the only shocking sight in the office that fine morning.  I was lost in my amazement of how these caring people at Pasado's had gone to such lengths to make sure that she had a happy and comfortable life.  Beauty looked up at me and said sweetly "ba ba baaa baaah!" I am pretty sure she told me in chicken talk, "Look at my cool plastic duck feet that help me stand up!"  I squatted down to get an even closer look. 

Who says everyone can't get along?  Chomper and Beauty take a break together.

That’s when I heard it, the dreaded and surprising sound that just could not be happening to me on my second week on the job.   Riiiiipppppp….  As Beauty “split” from the scene on her new wheels so did my pants, leaving me to share more with my new coworkers than I had ever intended.

After recovering from my embarrassment, here’s what I found out about Beauty’s health from Rita Laws, Animal Care and Disaster Relief Animal Aid Supervisor,
(and an amazing friend to animals!): 

• Her left leg was operated on and the pins removed.  She has gained strength in it and is able to stand with support. 

• Both feet were put in soft casts to keep her toes straight.  This enables her to use both legs. 

• We added wheels to her sling so she could start learning how to walk.  She is slowly learning how to take steps.  This is helping to strengthen her muscles and teaching the tendons how to work properly. 

• Her right leg will be operated on in the next week or two, and with more intense physical therapy over the next 6 weeks, she has a very good chance of walking normally!

 We are all excited to hear that Beauty may be walking soon. As for my “split” pants- sadly there was no possible recovery.  May they R.I. P.