Peri’s family adopted her when she was just a few days old, and six months later, she suddenly came down with a severe eye infection. For months, the chicken’s family treated her with daily medications and even went to several specialists, but unfortunately, they learned that blindness was inevitable. Determined to help Peri as best they could, her family immediately set about making sure that her blindness didn’t stop her from being able to do whatever she wanted.
Christa Hubbard
“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, Peri’s mom, told The Dodo. “We hired a chicken ‘nanny’ to help her out when we weren’t home.”
Christa Hubbard
Since she needed so much attention at a very young age, Peri has become the sweetest, most cuddly chicken around, and loves getting the help she needs from her family. When she first became blind, her pit bull brother, Taj, could immediately tell that something was different, and became her main protector.
Christa Hubbard
“He was 3 years old and quickly took to helping her find her way,” Hubbard said. “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.”
Christa Hubbard
Taj had been such a huge part of Peri’s life, and her family was worried about how she would handle life without him. Even though their hearts were still healing, they decided to adopt two pit bull puppies. As soon as they joined the family, Peri immediately perked up again, happy to have new friends. As the puppies grew, Peri became very attached to her sister Gracie, and now the pair are as close as Peri and Taj used to be — with one adorable added bonus.
Christa Hubbard
Since Peri is blind, Gracie always seems worried that she won’t be able to find her favorite toys on her own — so whenever she can, Gracie brings them to her. It’s as if she thinks the toys will also comfort Peri and help her as she navigates life, and Peri is so grateful to her best friend for every gesture.
Christa Hubbard
“Gracie will bring Peri a toy, place it in front of her and wait,” Hubbard said. “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.”
Christa Hubbard
Taj meant so much to Peri, and now Gracie is just as important to her new friend. The two sisters are always together, and Gracie seems to have made it her mission to keep Peri safe, happy and never without a toy for the rest of her life.
“I believe this is just the beginning of where Taj left off,” Hubbard said. “Two sweet souls have found each other.”