We lost our sweet Fo this last week, but the good news is that all Foshizzles go to heaven:
It was really sudden and unexpected. About a week ago I found her limping and found that she had broken a claw off and her toe was swollen. I put some antiseptic spray on it regularly but it turned into an infection. I soaked her foot in epsom salts a few times a day, each time covering it in salve and then fashioning a little bandage on her foot.
Her foot seemed to be getting better but Fo overall didn’t feel any better. We aren’t exactly sure why she went so fast but all of the sudden she started to have trouble breathing. We might have been able to go to extremes to keep her alive but every new thing we tried just seemed like it was making Fo uncomfortable, and she didn’t understand why we were doing it. It was a cool morning and the rain was so peaceful so I moved her right to the edge of the garage on a towel so that she could feel it. Sienna laid down with her and talked softly to her, telling her it was going to be okay. Fo had the most beautiful crimson red wattles, and that’s how I knew she was going to die, when her wattles began to turn an ashy color. So we just stopped trying and prayed that if she was going to suffer that she would go quickly. And she did. Foshizzle didn’t suffer for very long and we did everything we could for her to keep her comfortable at the very end.
The hard part about loving animals so much is that I love animals so much. I become really attached to each one and I know every little thing about them. Fo was no exception. She brought us so much joy.
Fo captured our hearts from the very beginning with that little heart on her forehead and the intense way she always stared at us:
Even in her awkward phase she still kept that stare:
And she loved her human from the very beginning:
They were very attached:
She started growing that beautiful heart out when she was just a few weeks old:
She turned into such a graceful hen:
Except for when it rained and she wilted:
Fo got lost more times than I could count in our neighborhood, it was so easy for her to take a wrong turn because she couldn’t see very well. Our neighbors always brought her back. One day she wandered all the way up to the main road and was brought home on a Segway. She might be one of the few chickens in the world to ever ride on one.
I loved digging up worms in the garden for her. I’d save them until the other chickens weren’t around. I shouldn’t play favorites but how could I resist this chicken?
She would even ride on Sienna’s handlebars as long as she didn’t go too fast:
All I had to do was whistle the mockingjay call from Hunger Games and she would start walking towards me.
She tolerated our dog Max and then, when we adopted Happy, Fo decided they could be best friends:
When the other chickens were fighting over the nesting boxes to lay their eggs Fo would just quietly make her own nest anywhere that was comfortable. She would have made the best mother (except for not being able to find her chicks when they wandered off).
None of the other chickens ever picked on Fo, even though they all pick on each other relentlessly. It was like they knew she was extra special.
She was just so beautiful, and coupled with her quirky mannerisms, we could watch her for hours.
There will never be another chicken like Fo.
I wrote a lot about her over the last year and half and I’m thankful we have all our memories saved.
We buried her right in front of our large picture window and ordered a beautiful red weeping maple to go right on top of her, just like we did for Diesel.
We miss her so much but we feel really lucky to have called her our chicken.
Foshizzle Forever.
(Note: You can read about her and our other animals here.)
I’m in tears. So sorry for your loss.
Foshizzle Forever. <3
She was beautiful. ❤️
So sorry for your loss. Fo was my favorite.
????So sad. What a wonderful pet. I get super attached too. Animals are like children to us
I am so so sorry for your loss.
I never thought about chickens until you started writing about Fo. I really enjoyed reading about her and seeing the pictures you posted. She was special and was lucky to have you all for her family. I am so very sorry.
Oh. I love this so much. Thank you for letting us in on your love and grief.
Thank you for sharing Fo with us. We have enjoyed her so much
Connie
I just loved the adventures of Foshizzle! I think she stole everyone’s heart… but then how could we not love her when her life was being told through your eyes and heart! I’ve cried my eyes out when you have lost your fur/feather babies. Glad to know them through you! ????
Lovely Tribute…
Crying…and birds creep me out. She seemed like a really great chicken and believe me, I’m so sorry for your loss. You are right – the worst part about loving animals is this. Well, I believe she’s at the rainbow bridge waiting for all of you!
What a wonderful tribute to Fo. And I’m so grateful that you had recorded so many memories of her! I always enjoyed hearing of her antics, and will miss her!
I am so sorry for your loss. It is a painful price we pay for all they bring us when we are here. It comforts me to think of all my animal children greeting me in heaven – where I am sure they will all get along.
That was such a sweet tribute! I’m so sorry for your loss.
A lovely and loving tribute! She will be missed by your followers as well. Hugs to you and your family. ❤
So sorry for your loss….tears streaming…..great tribute to your feather family member….your fur-feather-babies are lucky to have you.
What a sweet tribute to her. I’m touched by your words Ashley. I always looked forward Fo’s pics. Hugs to you, Sienna and Brett.
You write beautifully…especially about the hard stuff. Rest easy Fo.
Okay I just cried over a chicken, a chicken I had never even meet. You’ve done a lovely tribute.
I am soooooo sorry about Fo! I loved your Fo posts and often told my 12 yo daughter about them. So hard to love our pets so deeply.
The power of the love of animals. I feel your pain for a chicken I never saw who belonged to a family I never met. Your words are a gift to all who have lost an animal.
I haven’t even gotten my first chicken yet, but reading about Fo made me immediately put a Polish Frizzle on my list of must-haves when we move to our new property! You write beautifully and I’m so sad to hear of her passing.
That was beautiful!
I am so sorry. I loved reading about Fo. Your stories and pictures of her always made me smile.
I am so sorry for your loss. My kids and I are teary with you. She was such a beautiful bird.
Sorry for your loss. I loved reading about your unique chicken–the photos are wonderful.
So sorry for your loss, all animals are special so I understand getting attached. She was a special bird indeed!
Sending wishes of comfort for each of you.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a cat, dog, fish or a chicken, but when a pet dies it’s heartbreaking! Love your story!❤️
I am heartbroken to hear about Fo! Your memories of her special character is a beautiful and sweet tribute! It’s a blessing that she did not suffer long. Take care! xx
This is the best story about animal love and loss ever! Thank you. May your memories continue.
So sorry to learn you lost Fo. Birds are special creatures and wonderful friends.
I will miss Fo too!
Life isn’t complete without the love from the company we keep. The photo of Sienna holding Fo is worth a million words. My heart is with you & your family during your loss. In gratitude for sharing so much from your hearts!
Such a precious memorial tribute to Fo…She was so beautiful..Treasure your precious memories..Fo is healed & strutting around Heaven awaiting our arrival some Sweet & Glorious day…..May God Bless you & yours.
as a 2 yo I named a chick from my great grandmother Henry. With the first appearance of an egg the name changed to Henrietta. I supposedly lost interest in Henrietta with the arrival of my baby brother. Not so sure about that since it is not the way i recall the events. oh well. i only sort of relate to your loss.
Ashley, this could happen to the others you have. Maybe you should check with a veterinarian to see what you could do next time. I am sorry you lost her. I had one hen that lasted five years and died suddenly one morning. I know how you feel.
Such a wonderful chicken! I loved reading about her and will miss her too. So sorry for your loss. Hugs to all!
What a beautiful tribute to Fo! I am sorry for your loss. I too, am an avid animal lover. They enhance our lives in so many ways but it hurts so much when they leave us.
We rescued a mallard duckling when she was a few days old. She was very originally named Duckie. I adored her and she adored me. She snuggled on my shoulder and hid under my hair when I let it loose. You’ll never truly lose Fo. She’s left her mark on your heart.
So sorry!
All Foshizzles do go to heaven. I will miss her quirky ways and delightful pictures. What a great chicken. My heart is with you.
Aww… not Fo! I don’t think there is another chicken in the world that is loved so much by so many people from all over the world. I have enjoyed all of the pics and stories about this adorable FoShizzle.
Very touched. Big hug from Amsterdam.
Beautiful </3
This has me crying. I loved reading about Fo and seeing her photos. I am so glad she wasn’t lost to a predator. First I hear about Dwayne’s dog, Bobby, then I read about Happy dying…and then I saw that you lost Fo over a week ago. So sad. I’m sorry for your loss(es).
We lost our dog the day after Christmas and our cat last month. It is so hard. Fo — just made me cry. I always loved reading about Fo’s adventures.
I never thought about chickens as being pets- but Fo was obviously one of the best!