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Lifestyle & Human Interest

Hiker Finds Lost Rooster in Appalachian Mountains, Takes Him on 42-Mile Journey To Sanctuary

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Heather Bolint loves chickens. She loves them so much, in fact, she calls herself the “chicken whisperer” and even goes by the Instagram handle @forthechickens.

“Whenever I’ve been around chickens I just kind of go crazy because I love them so much,” Bolint told The Dodo. “They’re my favorite animal.”

It is because of this that it is perfectly fitting Bolint would come across a unique sort of chicken as she pursued her lifelong dream.



Hiking the Appalachian Trail was always something she’d wanted to do. In 2017, she started out on the long 2,190 mile journey from Maine to Georgia.

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It was during the lengthy trek that Bolint met a polish crested rooster, an “unusual breed” according to Pet Helpful.



“I was able to scoop him up and decided the only thing to do was to start hiking with him,” Bolint wrote on Facebook.

From there the pair became close friends. “All my friends and family were like, ‘Of course YOU would find a rooster in the middle of the woods,'” Bolint shared with The Dodo.

Unable to find homes where the little guy might belong, and without cell phone service to call animal control, Bolint knew she had to protect her new friend.



‘Eddie,” as the rooster was affectionately named, stayed with Bolint during 42 miles of her hike. When their journey came to a close, it was bittersweet.

Bolint took Eddie to Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary in Maryland. Once there, his name was changed to Mason — the name Eddie was already owned by a sanctuary peacock, apparently.



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Though they had to part, Bolint has taken time to visit the little guy. She’s glad he’s in a safe place where he can be with other chickens.

“Sometimes I feel that you’re put in a situation at the right time, at the right moment, for a bigger reason,” Bolint said.



Words well spoken. We’re so glad these two came across each other when they did. Not only does it serve as a fun story, it also shows kindness and compassion should be extended to all creatures great and small.

We hope this rooster loves his new home. He may be Mason now, but we’ve no doubt he will always be Eddie to the woman who hiked across states to take him where he belonged.

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Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.
Education
Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)
Location
Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Entertainment, Faith




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