The story of Sammy and Nugget

By Staff
Leada Gore, Editor
Readers: The following column was printed Jan. 15, 2004. Nugget, the chicken, outgrew his home and moved outside to the yard amongst the other birds of a feather. Sammy the dog has since died. No doubt she is romping somewhere with a new chicken riding on her back.
Jan. 15, 2004
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 live with his mom in Mississippi. He was worried Sammy was left alone too long during the day and didn't want her to be lonely.
She didn't take the move well. She went from being the only dog around her house to living with other dogs, cats, chickens and other animals that roam around in the country.
Sammy didn't like her new home. At least 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 was later named Nugget, was the only survivor.
Knowing she was sure to die if 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 that 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 and then spend part of their day just walking around barking or clucking, whatever the case may be.
At night, Sammy goes to her bed and Nugget to hers. Greg's mom covers them both with blankets and they go 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 sight 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 condition (caused by nerves) had cleared up. She seemed happier than I had ever seen her.
"Sammy, go and get your chicken," Greg's mom would say and Sammy would scamper off, only to reenter the room with her chicken 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 human.