And Other Heroic Animals

A slight break from the narrative of my backyard flock.

Today is Armistice Day across the world. This year is particularly significant, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the day that the guns went silent ending the fighting of the Great War.

The peace treaty was eventually signed and my own great grandfather came home in one piece.

However, my humble little blog focuses on my chickens, today I will take a break from that to honor two heroic "veterans" of the Great War.

The first is Cher Ami. The most decorated pigeon un history. Cher Ami braved artillery shells and gun fire, was horribly wounded, and still made it back to her cote to deliver a crucial message that saved the lives of many during the last German offensive of the Great War. She was crucial to the survival of the besieged Lost Battalion as they were mistakenly being shelled by their own artillery.

Here is the link to Cher Ami's story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cher_Ami

Also, I am honoring Sgt. Stubby. The most decorated canine in American history. A stray pup from Connecticut, he was smuggled aboard a troop ship bound for France. During his time in the trenches, he suffered a gas attack, became an early warning system for the troops for gas attacks and incoming shells, and even captured a German spy. Sgt. Stubby was highly decorated by bith the United States and France.

Here is Sgt. Stubby's story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Stubby

Although my own Coq Au Vin would probably make a good account of himself if he were ever called to war, I'm going to keep him down on the farm!