But Chicken Comes From the Fridge

# Summary

Chilli the dog learns to distinguish between live "Bok Boks" (the neighbor's chickens) and the chicken they eat for breakfast from the fridge.

# Abstract

Chilli, a household dog, reacts eagerly to the word 'chicken,' associating it with food from the fridge. However, her understanding is challenged when she encounters the neighbors' chickens, initially mistaking them for potential food. After realizing these are living creatures, distinct from her meals, a new term "Bok Boks" is introduced to avoid confusion. This amusing anecdote illustrates the curious learning process of a dog faced with a real-life encounter that challenges her food-centric lexicon.

# Opinions

- The author believes that the word 'chicken' is highly stimulating for their dogs, Chilli and Rotto, as it immediately prompts a reaction of excitement and anticipation.
- Chilli initially fails to recognize real chickens as the source of her fridge chicken, indicating a disconnect between the food she eats and its living origins.
- The story reflects an amused perspective on how pets can perceive and misunderstand elements of the human world.
- The author seems to appreciate the humor and innocence in Chilli's confusion about the concept of 'chicken.'
- Renaming the chickens to "Bok Boks" is a playful solution to prevent further misinterpretation by Chilli, suggesting the author enjoys engaging with Chilli's viewpoint and finds joy in the quirks of pet ownership.

Wait, what! That's a chicken? Really?

Chicken is a reactive word in our household.

Each morning, Rotto heads off on his Rott-trot — and he trots hard and fast. Next, it's Chilli's turn, and she dawdles like an old lady, sniffing here and there, taking her time. Unless you ask her if she wants to go home and have some chicken, then she tows me along at a swift trot to get home for breakfast.

Once we're back home, the word chicken sends both Chilli and Rotto running to their respective eating places.

But recently, Chilli's been confused. Just around the corner, the neighbors are renovating. So their backyard chickens have become front yard chickens. Chilli pulled up to have a long sniff the first time we went past. The chickens kept a wary distance.

I said, "Be gentle with the chickens, Chilli."

Immediately Chilli's ears pricked up, and her head swiveled from side-to-side as she looked about for a bag of chicken drumsticks that might appear like magic. I pointed at the chickens. Chilli looked at me like I was daft. Those feathered birds weren't chicken! Clearly, chicken comes from the fridge.

So we've settled on new terminology. We now call the feathered birds "Bok Boks" so as not to be confused with the chicken that comes from the fridge for breakfast.

Chilli loves to go for a walk and watch them every morning — except on the days when all three Bok Boks run at the fence to say hello — because running Bok Boks are super scary.

Thanks for reading, Sandi xx

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