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After several weeks of trying to capture the “free-range chicken of Canyon Country”, she actually came into our kitchen and, when I realized she was there, I chased her around the kitchen and finally captured her on the kitchen counter! Casey, our lovable mutt, was very excited about the whole episode – jumping up and barking. A few moments of madness ensued . . .

I put her into a pet cage that our neighbor had kindly provided and within 30 minutes “Chicken Dinner” was on her way to her new home.

We grew quite attached to our chicken friend. Chris would watch her arrive very early each morning and root around for whatever a chicken wants to eat. She was quite clever, never going too far from her escape route, the back-gate that is built with metal “uprights” mounted every 6 inches apart. No problem for the chicken – big problem for Casey. Casey was not too agreeable about sharing the backyard with Chicken Dinner, so Chicken Dinner knew her place.
At the same time we became concerned that the chicken was at great risk. There are coyotes and other dogs in the area that have been know to kill other local chickens so we were concerned for her safely.
A trustworthy neighbor has a farm nearby that is always looking for livestock so this is a great solution. So Chicken Dinner is gone. 🙁

But gone to a good place. Chicken Dinner has been renamed “Dorothy” and has been taken to a farm nearby where she will be integrated into the small chicken population. And we have visiting rights! A little bitter-sweet. We miss her but she’s at a better home. 🙂