Sammy and Nugget have a unique friendship

By Staff
Leada DeVaney, Editor
Sammy is a dog. Nugget is a chicken. They are the best of friends.
Let me explain.
About two years ago, Greg took his dog, Sammy, to Mississippi to live with Greg's mom. He was worried that Sammy was left alone too long during the day and didn't want her to be lonely.
She didn't seem to take the move too well. She went from being the only dog around her house to living on a small farm with other dogs, cats, chickens and any other animals that wondered up.
Being a well-trained dog, Sammy spent most of her time inside, but she wasn't a happy camper. In fact, she missed Greg so much she developed some sort of nervous condition that resulted in a rash all over her body.
Sammy didn't like her new home. At least she didn't until Nugget came along.
About a month ago, Greg's mom found a small chick in the front yard. Something had killed the chick's mother and the other babies. The chick, who later was named Nugget, was the only survivor.
Knowing she was sure to die if she was left alone, Greg's mom brought the chick inside and put it in a box in the sunroom, the same room where Sammy sleeps.
You would think a baby chicken and a dog wouldn't get along too well but these two orphans hit it off and became fast friends. Soon, everywhere Sammy went, Nugget went, too.
Nugget even took to riding around on Sammy's back, occasionally providing a peck or a scratch.
The two share a little dog food and maybe some water now and then and spend part of their day just walking around, occasionally barking or clucking, whatever the case may be.
At night, Sammy would go to her bed and Nugget would go to hers. Greg's mom covered them both with blankets and they went to sleep, two happy friends.
I was introduced to Nugget last Friday when we were in Mississippi visiting Greg's family. Sammy was running around the house, excited to have visitors. Nugget seemed excited, too, as she walked around and spread her wings and even tried to fly.
The best thing about it – other than the site of a chicken trying to roost on Greg's head – was to see Sammy. She was wagging her tail, her eyes were bright and her skin had cleared up. She seemed happier than I had ever seen her.
"Sammy, go and get your chicken," Greg's mom would say, and off Sammy would go, only to enter the room with Nugget on her back.
It just goes to show you – the power of friendship is an amazing thing, no matter if you're bird, beast or just plain old humans.