In_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 of_PRF isolation_NN1 from_PRP the_AT0 rest_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 world_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 little_AJ0 girl_NN1 found_VVD friendship_NN1 in_PRP her_DPS family_NN1 's_POS new_AJ0 chickens_NN2 ._SENT 
Editor_NN1 's_POS Note_NN1 :_PUN America_NP0 's_POS Best_AJS Pet_NN1 Pals_NN2 is_VBZ a_AT0 nationwide_AJ0 search_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 animal_NN1 friendships_NN2 that_CJT make_VVB you_PNP laugh_VVB ,_PUN cry_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC purr_NN1 ._SENT Reader_NN1 's_POS Digest_NN1 honors_NN2 the_AT0 best_AJS in_PRP pet_NN1 friendship_NN1 in_PRP print_NN1 ,_PUN online_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC on_PRP social_AJ0 media_NN0 ._SENT This_DT0 is_VBZ the_AT0 winner_NN1 in_PRP our_DPS "_PUQ People_NN0 to_PRP Animals_NN2 "_PUQ category_NN1 ._SENT To_TO0 see_VVI winners_NN2 in_PRP other_AJ0 categories_NN2 and_CJC our_DPS full_AJ0 list_NN1 of_PRF finalists_NN2 ,_PUN go_VVB to_PRP replaced-dns_NN2 /_PUN petpals_NN2 ._SENT 
We_PNP 've_VHB heard_VVN many_DT0 stories_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 heartwarming_AJ0 bonds_NN2 people_NN0 create_VVB with_PRP animals_NN2 ,_PUN including_PRP the_AT0 goose_NN1 that_CJT came_VVD home_AV0 after_PRP 20_CRD years_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 improbable_AJ0 friendship_NN1 between_PRP a_AT0 camper_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 bear_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC this_DT0 egg-celent_AJ0 story_NN1 of_PRF chickens_NN2 is_VBZ one_PNI that_CJT is_VBZ unlike_PRP anything_PNI you_PNP have_VHB heard_VVN before_AV0 ._SENT 
When_CJS much_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 world_NN1 shut_VVD down_AVP due_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 COVID-19_AJ0 pandemic_AJ0 beginning_NN1 in_PRP March_NP0 2020_CRD ,_PUN a_AT0 family_NN1 of_PRF four_CRD living_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 small_AJ0 suburb_NN1 of_PRF Albany_NP0 ,_PUN New_NP0 York_NP0 ,_PUN decided_VVD to_TO0 grow_VVI their_DPS household_NN1 by_PRP bringing_VVG home_AV0 a_AT0 group_NN1 of_PRF backyard_NN1 chickens_NN2 from_PRP Tractor_NN1 Supply_NN1 Co._NN1 The_AT0 intention_NN1 was_VBD to_TO0 allow_VVI the_AT0 chicks_NN2 ,_PUN who_PNQ were_VBD only_AV0 about_PRP three_CRD days_NN2 old_AJ0 at_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN to_TO0 grow_VVI and_CJC flourish_VVI into_PRP a_AT0 flock_NN1 that_CJT could_VM0 provide_VVI the_AT0 Chromczak_NP0 family_NN1 with_PRP fresh_AJ0 eggs_NN2 ._SENT What_DTQ they_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 anticipate_VVI was_VBD the_AT0 bond_NN1 that_CJT would_VM0 form_VVI between_PRP these_DT0 chicks_NN2 and_CJC their_DPS nine-year-old_AJ0 daughter_NN1 ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 ._SENT 
Just_AV0 a_AT0 girl_NN1 and_CJC her_DPS chickens_NN2 
With_PRP a_AT0 dog_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 cat_NN1 already_AV0 running_VVG around_PRP the_AT0 house_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Chromczaks_NN2 really_AV0 were_VBD only_AV0 looking_VVG for_PRP a_AT0 source_NN1 of_PRF fresh_AJ0 eggs_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC these_DT0 six_CRD chickens_NN2 became_VVD so_AV0 much_AV0 more_AV0 than_CJS that_DT0 ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 was_VBD reading_VVG Treasure_NP0 Island_NP0 and_CJC watching_VVG the_AT0 Rocky_AJ0 movies_NN2 ,_PUN so_CJS she_PNP decided_VVD to_TO0 name_VVI the_AT0 chicks_NN2 Trixie_NP0 ,_PUN Bearty_NP0 ,_PUN Sweet_NP0 Pea_NP0 ,_PUN Speedie_NP0 ,_PUN Captain_NP0 Flint_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Adrian_NP0 ._SENT She_PNP fell_VVD in_PRP love_NN1 the_AT0 moment_NN1 the_AT0 baby_NN1 chicks_NN2 came_VVD home_AV0 ,_PUN nestled_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 cardboard_AJ0 box_NN1 under_PRP a_AT0 heat_NN1 lamp_NN1 in_PRP their_DPS living_AJ0 room_NN1 ._SENT Sophie_NP0 spent_VVD much_DT0 of_PRF her_DPS time_NN1 cuddling_VVG them_PNP ,_PUN reading_VVG to_PRP them_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC even_AV0 making_VVG them_PNP their_DPS own_DT0 cardboard_AJ0 houses_NN2 ._SENT She_PNP was_VBD even_AV0 upset_AJ0 when_CJS her_DPS parents_NN2 would_VM0 n't_XX0 allow_VVI the_AT0 chickens_NN2 to_TO0 sleep_VVI in_PRP her_DPS bed_NN1 with_PRP her_PNP ,_PUN with_PRP the_AT0 thought_NN1 of_PRF being_VBG apart_AV0 all_DT0 night_NN1 unbearable_AJ0 ._SENT These_DT0 photos_NN2 of_PRF baby_NN1 birds_NN2 will_VM0 warm_VVI your_DPS heart_NN1 just_AV0 like_PRP these_DT0 cute_AJ0 chicks_NN2 ._SENT 
"_PUQ They_PNP 're_VBB really_AV0 cute_AJ0 and_CJC I_PNP like_VVB to_TO0 snuggle_VVI them_PNP ,_PUN "_PUQ said_VVD Sophie_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ Bearty_NP0 is_VBZ my_DPS favorite_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP likes_VVZ to_TO0 walk_VVI on_PRP a_AT0 leash_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
The_AT0 six_CRD chirping_AJ0 chicks_NN2 served_VVN as_PRP a_AT0 distraction_NN1 during_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 of_PRF isolation_NN1 ,_PUN disease_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC civil_AJ0 unrest_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC as_CJS the_AT0 world_NN1 began_VVD to_TO0 settle_VVI into_PRP its_DPS new_AJ0 normal_AJ0 and_CJC the_AT0 chicks_NN2 grew_VVD into_PRP full-grown_AJ0 chickens_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 bond_NN1 continued_VVD to_TO0 grow_VVI ._SENT Sophie_NP0 liked_VVD to_TO0 bring_VVI a_AT0 chicken_NN1 with_PRP her_PNP wherever_AVQ her_DPS parents_NN2 would_VM0 allow_VVI ,_PUN including_VVG on_PRP a_AT0 camping_NN1 trip_NN1 where_AVQ the_AT0 chickens_NN2 stayed_VVD in_PRP Sophie_NP0 's_POS tent_NN1 with_PRP her_PNP —_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 box_NN1 ,_PUN of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN to_TO0 avoid_VVI waking_VVG up_AVP to_PRP a_AT0 tent_NN1 full_AJ0 of_PRF chicken_NN1 feces_NN2 ._SENT 
One_CRD hot_AJ0 day_NN1 ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 asked_VVD if_CJS she_PNP could_VM0 take_VVI Captain_NP0 Flint_NP0 down_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 creek_NN1 on_PRP their_DPS hobby_NN1 farm_NN1 to_TO0 go_VVI for_PRP a_AT0 swim_NN1 ._SENT Emily_NP0 ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 's_POS mother_NN1 ,_PUN told_VVD Sophie_NP0 that_CJT she_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 think_VVI the_AT0 chicken_NN1 would_VM0 like_VVI the_AT0 water_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC Sophie_NP0 insisted_VVD ._SENT After_PRP dipping_VVG Captain_NP0 Flint_NP0 's_POS feet_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 cool_AJ0 creek_NN1 ,_PUN Emily_NP0 's_POS worries_NN2 were_VBD confirmed_VVN ._SENT Captain_NP0 Flint_NP0 definitely_AV0 did_VDD not_XX0 like_VVI swimming_VVG ,_PUN but_CJC Sophie_NP0 had_VHD another_DT0 idea_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP suspended_VVD a_AT0 stick_NN1 over_PRP a_AT0 river_NN1 tube_NN1 to_TO0 use_VVI as_PRP a_AT0 perch_NN0 for_PRP the_AT0 chicken_NN1 ._SENT Now_AV0 the_AT0 two_CRD could_VM0 enjoy_VVI the_AT0 creek_NN1 together_AV0 without_PRP Captain_NP0 Flint_NP0 having_VHG to_TO0 touch_VVI the_AT0 water_NN1 ._SENT 
Sophie_NP0 managed_VVD to_TO0 enjoy_VVI the_AT0 outdoors_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 chickens_NN2 ,_PUN including_PRP resting_VVG a_AT0 chicken_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 handlebars_NN2 of_PRF her_DPS bicycle_NN1 as_CJS she_PNP rode_VVD around_AVP the_AT0 neighborhood_NN1 and_CJC repurposing_VVG a_AT0 double_AJ0 jogging_NN1 stroller_NN1 so_CJS she_PNP could_VM0 push_VVI around_AVP all_DT0 six_CRD chickens_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 time_NN1 ._SENT Sophie_NP0 even_AV0 dressed_VVN as_PRP a_AT0 giant_AJ0 chicken_NN1 for_PRP Halloween_NN1 and_CJC brought_VVD Trixie_NP0 along_AVP for_PRP trick_NN1 or_CJC treating_VVG ._SENT 
When_CJS Christmas_NN1 rolled_VVD around_AVP ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 's_POS love_NN1 continued_VVD to_TO0 grow_VVI for_PRP her_DPS six_CRD feathery_AJ0 friends_NN2 ._SENT After_PRP pulling_VVG them_PNP behind_PRP her_PNP on_PRP a_AT0 sled_AJ0 through_PRP the_AT0 snow_NN1 and_CJC taking_VVG them_PNP on_PRP cross-country_AJ0 ski_NN1 rides_NN2 ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 wanted_VVD to_TO0 ensure_VVI that_CJT the_AT0 chickens_NN2 were_VBD included_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 holiday_NN1 festivities_NN2 ._SENT She_PNP made_VVD each_DT0 chicken_NN1 a_AT0 tiny_AJ0 stocking_NN1 filled_VVN with_PRP oats_NN1 ,_PUN imprinted_AJ0 salt_NN1 dough_NN1 ornaments_NN2 with_PRP their_DPS footprints_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC made_VVD sure_AJ0 each_DT0 had_VHD their_DPS own_DT0 Santa_NP0 hat_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ If_CJS you_PNP 've_VHB ever_AV0 owned_VVN chickens_NN2 ,_PUN you_PNP will_VM0 know_VVI that_CJT they_PNP poop_VVB constantly_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ explained_VVD Emily_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ As_CJS such_DT0 ,_PUN we_PNP 've_VHB made_VVN a_AT0 rule_NN1 that_CJT they_PNP are_VBB not_XX0 allowed_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 house_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP 've_VHB mostly_AV0 stuck_VVN to_PRP this_DT0 rule_NN1 but_CJC one_CRD morning_NN1 when_CJS her_DPS school_NN1 was_VBD virtual_AJ0 ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 told_VVD me_PNP '_PUQ there_EX0 's_VBZ nothing_PNI to_TO0 feel_VVI happy_AJ0 about_AV0 ._SENT '_PUQ For_PRP obvious_AJ0 reasons_NN2 this_DT0 year_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN tough_AJ0 for_PRP literally_AV0 everyone_PNI in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ heartbreaking_AJ0 to_TO0 see_VVI your_DPS child_NN1 struggle_NN1 emotionally_AV0 with_PRP a_AT0 situation_NN1 that_CJT you_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 control_VVI ._SENT To_TO0 make_VVI matters_NN2 worse_AJC ,_PUN winter_VVB where_AVQ we_PNP live_VVB is_VBZ very_AV0 cold_AJ0 ._SENT So_AV0 ,_PUN we_PNP 've_VHB gone_VVN back_AVP on_PRP this_DT0 rule_NN1 and_CJC allow_VVB her_PNP to_TO0 bring_VVI one_CRD chicken_NN1 at_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 inside_AV0 as_CJS long_AV0 as_CJS she_PNP constantly_AV0 watches_VVZ for_PRP poop_NN1 and_CJC cleans_VVZ it_PNP up_AVP immediately_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
The_AT0 winter_NN1 months_NN2 were_VBD spent_VVN cuddling_VVG the_AT0 chickens_NN2 during_PRP movie_NN1 nights_NN2 ,_PUN keeping_VVG Sophie_NP0 company_NN1 during_PRP her_DPS virtual_AJ0 classes_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC even_AV0 joining_VVG in_AVP on_PRP the_AT0 annual_AJ0 family_NN1 photo_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 spot_NN1 where_AVQ Emily_NP0 got_VVD engaged_VVN to_PRP her_DPS husband_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 bond_NN1 between_PRP Sophie_NP0 and_CJC these_DT0 chickens_NN2 was_VBD unbreakable_AJ0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 death_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 chicken_NN1 
The_AT0 beloved_AJ0 Captain_NP0 Flint_NP0 suffered_VVD a_AT0 premature_AJ0 death_NN1 due_AJ0 to_PRP a_AT0 hawk_NN1 attack_NN1 ._SENT Having_VHG watched_VVN the_AT0 attack_NN1 ,_PUN Sophie_NP0 was_VBD absolutely_AV0 heartbroken_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 family_NN1 conducted_VVD a_AT0 small_AJ0 chicken_NN1 funeral_NN1 to_TO0 mourn_VVI the_AT0 loss_NN1 of_PRF one_CRD of_PRF their_DPS own_DT0 ._SENT Sophie_NP0 mourned_VVD by_PRP painting_NN1 Captain_NP0 Flint_NP0 and_CJC wearing_VVG a_AT0 pendant_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 photo_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 chicken_NN1 that_CJT she_PNP has_VHZ not_XX0 taken_VVN off_AVP since_PRP ._SENT 
"_PUQ Her_DPS chickens_NN2 are_VBB teaching_VVG her_PNP about_PRP love_NN1 ,_PUN loss_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC grief_NN1 and_CJC Sophie_NP0 has_VHZ handled_VVN it_PNP well_AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ said_VVD Emily_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ In_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 short_AJ0 months_NN2 ,_PUN these_DT0 chickens_NN2 have_VHB taught_VVN us_PNP to_TO0 relax_VVI ,_PUN accept_VVB situations_NN2 we_PNP cannot_VVB change_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC find_VVB joy_NN1 where_CJS we_PNP can_VM0 ._SENT They_PNP 've_VHB brought_VVN us_PNP comfort_VVI during_PRP uncertain_AJ0 times_NN2 and_CJC changed_VVD our_DPS lives_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP am_VBB grateful_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
