Linda, get a grip on yourself! You’re becoming an insufferable bore.

The woman at the checkout at Weaver Street doesn’t want to hear about Harumi and Kotori’s love of chickweed. She is not much interested in imagining just how soft Kotori’s feathers are or in listening to you gush about the cute way Harumi gears up before flapping to your shoulder.

On second thought, what is the matter with this person? She must have a heart of stone.

Everyone wants to hear about these sweet, precious, little birds. Right?! So show the twenty three photos you’ve taken in the last 15 minutes, and keep crowing about these tiny hens. The world is listening!

– Linda Nelson

Kotori

I was up before the sun as usual, and as I drank my tea and ate my oatmeal, I pondered what the day would bring. I know it will bring heartache along with the satisfaction of being sure that my vegan approach to everything is the right way.

There is a clamoring in my head over the plight of animals which has become as familiar to me as my own hands. I recounted the conversation with a good friend who is miserable over the negligent behavior of neighbors with their backyard hens, and I read the plea from a rooster rescuer as I opened my computer.

I am fortunate to know so many good, hardworking people who are trying to make a difference for individual animals and for the billions caught in systems of exploitation, but I know so many others who are content or indifferent enough to live with and support the cruelty around us.

What would it take to live as so many in my midst live? This is no academic question as we are living with two young chickens in our sunroom.

What would it have taken to lift Kotori up with a firm grip to bring her sensitive, flawless beak up to a hot cutting blade?

What would it have taken to grasp this lovely, little dancer to shove her in a cage with others so that she could never unfold her wings again?

What would it have taken to see to it that Harumi and Kotori never preened again or rushed within their ample space to see me?

What would it take to allow my own selfish desires to take precedence over their need for fresh food, clean water, and a clean and comfortable space?

What would it take to turn a deaf ear to their frantic vocalizing as they endured the “standard practices” of an industry that celebrates and gains from their lifeless bodies hanging upside down?

Whatever it would take, I don’t have it, and for that I am deeply, deeply grateful.

– Linda Nelson

Kotori (top) and Harumi (bottom).

I am like any other new parent in thinking that Harumi and Kotori are the most beautiful beings in the world! I wonder just how many photos I can post before people grow tired and turn away because, unlike the photos I took of our human son and our family of cats, there is more at stake than a mother’s pride as I snap away on my camera.

I have a window of opportunity with these enchanting little birds that wasn’t needed with my son or our cats. People don’t eat human little boys, and many agree that cats should be part of the family.

This is not the case with chickens.

I want to convey to people just how interesting and unique Kotori and Harumi are and how very worthy they are of being alive and well. I want to convince people that they are not and should never be egg producers or Sunday dinner, nor should any of their species.

I want everyone to know that they both start to peep madly when I walk in the room. Everyone should know that their flying skills have improved so much in a day that they are resting on my shoulders instead of my lap now. I want them to melt as I do when Harumi tilts her little head and trills to my trill. I want people to take in the gentle way Kotori pushes her head into my hand before she falls asleep.

I’m not in a race to spare Harumi and Kotori’s lives. They have sanctuary with Triangle Chance for All for the rest of their lives, but I want others to think of these sweet young hens before they place the body of another in a frying pan or steal another’s eggs.

The lives of Harumi and Kotori matter so much to me, and by extension, so do the lives of every other chicken and all other animals. Their lives belong to them, their lives matter, and their suffering and deaths are always a tragedy.

And, now I have young ones to hold.

– Linda Nelson

There are few things more rewarding to me than gaining the trust of a non-human in my care. I’ve learned through long experience that what is needed is patience and a genuine desire to see others content and at peace.

Kotori and Harumi are so comfortable with my presence now, and they both climb on my lap and settle down for long preening or napping sessions when I come in their room. It is just so enchanting to me as the preening slows, the feathers fluff, and their little eyes begin to close.

Each girl likes different things. Kotori enjoys being picked up and placed on my lap and once there, she wants long, full-body strokes. Harumi would much rather get where she is going by herself, and I respect this. She will stand by my side, pull herself to her full height, and leap up to land on my lap with peeps and fluffs which never fail to wake her companion. She enjoys having her neck and the very top of her head stroked until she, too, falls asleep.

I’m so glad to be providing Harumi and Kotori with what they need, but providing them with what they want is a better feeling still. I’m so honored to be able to create peace in their world. I just wish I could do the same for all of their brothers and sisters.

– Linda Nelson