How a chicken taught my son to live

, a red geranium clutched in his hand. I walked alongside him and his brother and sisters followed close behind. The dim November light and the fallow brown fields provided a sombre backdrop for the funeral of a dear member of the family: Pipsqueak the chicken.

Our family lives on a farm, and we’ve had hundreds of friendly chickens through the years, most of whom ended up being composted in the manure pile after their death from natural causes. But Pipsqueak required a proper burial because she was no ordinary chicken. She was my son’s therapy pet.Zach and Pipsqueak both joined our family eight years ago, just a month apart. Zach was an emaciated kid with undiagnosed special needsafter years in foster care.

The next time we had a BBQ, Zach was able to come outside and join the festivities because he had Pipsqueak to sit beside him at the picnic table. He made it through the meal and even laughed at a joke or two. Then he took a stroll with his hen. Day by day, with Pipsqueak next to him as he explored the world, his fears melted away and eventually Pipsqueak spent more time rooting for insects in the grass than she did calming Zach.

“She was my best friend,” Zach said, laying the flower on her grave. “I’ll never have a chicken like her.” And he won’t, because she’d accomplished her job. As Zach wiped tears from his eyes with his sleeve, my own tears began to fall. I owed Pipsqueak an enormous debt of gratitude I’d never be able to repay; it was because of her that my son was able to stand outside that night free of fear, to say goodbye to his feathered friend.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Chrissy Teigen on How She Felt Immediately After President Trump Tweeted About Her'My eyes filled up with water just at the shock of it.' He's a wreck by himself 😫😩
Source: ELLE Magazine (US) - 🏆 472. / 51 Read more »

Ren\u00e9e Zellweger recalls overhearing strangers say she was 'stupid'Renée Zellweger reflects on the humiliation she endured when it was claimed she'd had surgery, and recalls strangers say she was 'stupid' to have had work done.
Source: RedMagDaily - 🏆 312. / 61 Read more »

Gemma Collins admits she might never have childrenGemma, 38, has always been open about wanting kids and even underwent fertility tests on an emotional episode of TOWIE
Source: Mirror Celeb - 🏆 476. / 51 Read more »

Amber throws shade at Molly-Mae's fashion range as she lands £1million dealAmber takes aim at Molly-Mae's Pretty Little Thing collection with her own big announcement as their rivalry rumbles on The Press are desperate to start beef but jog on you red tops, they are FRIENDS! Move along... 🙄 Either of thr girls actually make the cloths. Somebody else does and they get paid a a whole load of money to be the face of it. Wow anything for headline desperate
Source: Mirror Celeb - 🏆 476. / 51 Read more »

Jennifer Lopez, 50, Just Said She Wants To Have A Baby With Fiancé Alex RodriguezIn an new 'Today' interview, Jennifer Lopez, 50, said she wants to have kids with her fiancé Alex Rodriguez. They each have two kids from previous marriages. LMFAO ! 👀 Jandricita
Source: Women's Health - 🏆 475. / 51 Read more »

Love Island's Amber Gill throws shade at Molly-Mae Hague as she slates her lineAmber takes aim at Molly-Mae's Pretty Little Thing collection with her own big announcement as their rivalry rumbles on
Source: Mirror Celeb - 🏆 476. / 51 Read more »