Back in December, Mr. Chicken -- a rooster -- lost his legs when they froze to the ground. Jackson, MI veterinarian, Tim England, had a physical therapist make a set of fake legs for him. The plastic prosthetics made the bird a media sensation.

Last month, Mr. Chicken lost his life defending his hen house, probably from raccoons. England has promised that "we will bury him in the flower garden with his legs on. He will get a headstone because he was a famous little guy."

We at Roadside America applaud this sentiment, and hope that the headstone is big and ornate and worthy of a side trip to go see. But we also advise Dr. England to get it done now. When the last deformed fowl that became a national hero -- Andy, The Footless Goose of Hastings, NE -- was murdered in 1991, the town raised $10,000 to build a monument. It's six years later: the money's still in the bank, and the world slowly forgets both Andy and Hastings. [07/13/1997]

February 10, 2012