The Story of Cindy Buttons
Little Cindy Buttons passed away on Wednesday, April 24th after a very sudden illness that the vet has confirmed as “egg yolk coelomitis” or peritonitis, which is basically an infection that caused her to lay yolks internally. She was only about 2-years-old. This is the story of her life and times here with us at Ducks and Clucks.
Cindy Buttons came to us in July of 2011 at about 3-months-old. She had been bitten by a raccoon and lost a chunk out of her posterior region. Her owners surrendered her to the veterinarian rather than pay for her care.
She was actually a “surprise” rescue for us, as we were at the vet’s office to pick up these two characters. Remember them? Toro Roo and Persephone Kerfuffle were a broiler rooster and domestic turkey that were confiscated during a domestic dispute. (They have both since passed on from natural causes due to their breeds). When we went to the vet’s office to pick them up, we were in an exam room waiting and heard this conversation outside the door.
“Does Tiffany want this chicken, too?”
“She’s taking those other two.”
“Two… three… let’s just set her out on the floor and see what happens.”
I remember being in the room, hearing them talk outside and thinking “how can I climb out this window so I don’t have to see whatever they’re out there suckering me into taking home?
Of course, the instant I saw this goofy face I had to bring her home. And what an amazing stroke of good luck that was, since she turned out to be the most amazing little hen ever.
Even though her original family wouldn’t pay for her care, they must have treated her well. Whenever I sat down in the yard, Cindy Buttons hopped up on my lap, like that was just the thing all chickens do.
And though her raccoon wound healed, she never did grow a tail. She’s naturally a rumpless breed, which we weren’t sure of at first.
As Persephone the turkey and Toro the rooster grew, they were inseparable. But unfortunately, Persephone’s legs were deformed and when she was too heavy to stand, she became very stressed out and had to be euthanized. This left Toro alone, without his first love.
Would Cindy Buttons take a liking to Toro? Or would one of the other hens befriend him?
Cindy did love Toro Roo, very much. The two of them were inseparable after Persephone passed away.
They adored each other, in spite of their great difference in size and weight. Toro weighed nearly 17lbs while ittle Cindy weighed only 4 1/2 lbs. They didn’t care. They were in love.
In addition to being my knee-percher and lap hen, Cindy also gained the reputation of being a bossy pants and a mischief-maker.
Here she is stealing an entire slice of vegan pizza from me.
Cindy really lived life to the fullest. She ran full speed around the yard, whether running towards treats or running after ducks. Two of her favorite things were stealing cookies and stomping ducks.
She loved to chase Petunia and Lenora, who would crouch down submissively when caught. Then Cindy would gleefully stomp on them, while I ran over to save them.
Boy, she really loved that more than a chicken should. I’m sure it sounded pretty funny to hear me yelling “Cindy Buttons you stop that right now!” all of the time.
But she’ll be remembered most for being my constant lap companion.
Sit down and she’d perch.
Cross your legs and she’d perch.
Take a nap? She’d perch.
Already have a duck on your lap? No problem. She’d perch.
A BIG duck on your lap? Shove over, horsie. I’m perching!
How about a cat? She’s not afraid. She’d perch.
She was just the cutest little knee cap warmer there ever was.
And cute from every angle.
What am I going to do without this goofy little lap hen?
I just don’t know.
The knee caps will never be the same.
You were a great friend and a good, good chicken, Cindy Buttons. I love you and miss you so, so much. Thank you for being a funny, goofy, shining light in our lives. You’re irreplaceable. I’m heartbroken.
Rest in peace, Cindy Buttons.
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