The Chicken and the Dog – picture courtesy of Amanda Maxwell

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade – so the old saying goes.  Amanda Maxwell and her husband Andre followed the wisdom of that age old advice when tragedy struck their small backyard flock. 

Amanda Maxwell, The Chicken and the Dog ,Author – photo courtesy of Amanda Maxwell

The Maxwells met over a decade ago in Arizona while Amanda was attending Arizona State University for her communications degree.  After she graduated, the couple decided to leave the desert climate for a lusher landscape in Olympia, WA – where the couple lives today.  When Amanda and Andre first arrived in Olympia and started house hunting, they found the cutest yellow cottage for rent.  There was only one catch to the property – the house included two backyard chickens in the deal.  Amanda and Andre were enchanted by this quaint home and excited to take on the challenge of caring for backyard chickens for the first time.

They bonded instantly with the two resident hens, a Rhode Island Red named Crimson and a Buff Australorp called Clover, that were permanent fixtures appurtenant to the property.

Andre, Amanda & Sean Connery (the dog) – photo courtesy of Amanda Maxwell

Even Sean Connery, the couple’s amusingly monikered black lab, developed an affinity for his feathered yard mates.

Just as life seemed to be going perfectly, a sad turn of events occurred.  One dark, stormy night, Amanda and Andre were awakened by a large crashing noise and the screams of their hens.  The couple rushed to the yard, but were too late.  Neighborhood raccoons had broken through the roof of the chickens’ coop and spirited off Crimson – leaving a small pile of red feathers behind.

Heartbroken at the untimely death of poor Crimson, Andre suggested the next morning that he and Amanda write a book about their lost chicken.  This was their chance to take a sad situation and make something better out of it.   The couple immediately began brainstorming this idea and felt some cathartic relief by turning their sorrow over their lost hen into a creative work of art with a much happier and encouraging ending.  This was their way to honor Crimson in a useful manner.

The couple easily recruited their close friend, artist Jill Carter, to illustrate the book – bringing the story to life through her lovely pictures.  “The Chicken and the Dog,” is an inspirational book based on true characters and events.  The book tells a story of friendship and courage as Clover and Sean Connery (the dog) team up to outwit the gang of wily raccoons, who have kidnapped their pal Crimson.

VIDEO SHOWING HOW JILL CARTER ILLUSTRATED THE CHICKEN & THE DOG:

The book was funded through a successful kickstarter proposal that raised over $3,000 and made the publication possible.  Since its publication in 2012, “The Chicken and the Dog” has enjoyed success and been well-received by book critics and young readers.

The Chicken and the Dog – picture courtesy of Amanda Maxwell

Amanda and Andre ultimately bought Clover a new chicken companion, another Rhode Island Red hen.  The replacement chicken was named Crimson II in honor of the first Crimson. Clover, Crimson II and Sean Connery are happily residing together still in the little, yellow cottage and providing writing material for their owners.   Amanda and Andre with the assistance of Jill Carter, have published a sequel book entitled, “The Great Chicken Caper.”  You can find Crimson, Clover and their canine friend Sean in another high-adventure together in this second book in the Chicken and the Dog series.

CHICKEN NEWS: 

• io9 – Physicists Find New State of Matter in Chicken Eyes ARTICLE
• Daily Mail – Chicken Eyes Reveal New Matter State ARTICLE
• Live Science – Strange State of Matter Found in Chicken Eyes ARTICLE
• IFLScience – New State of Matter Discovered in Chicken Eyes ARTICLE
• Princeton University – In the Eye of a Chicken ARTICLE

MAIN SEGMENT:

• Amanda Maxwell – The Chicken and the Dog website LINK
• Amazon link to the Book –The Chicken and the Dog
• Amazon link to the Sequel – The Great Chicken Caper
• The Chicken and the Dog Twitter LINK 
• The Chicken and the Dog Facebook Page LINK
• The Chicken and the Dog Pinterest Page LINK 
• Living in Olympia – Urban Chickens Inspire Children’s Book ARTICLE
• Talking Chicken Scratch – Talking with the Chicken and the Dog ARTICLE
• City Farmer News – The Chicken and the Dog Children’s Book ARTICLE
• Kickstarter – The Chicken and the Dog Kickstarter Info Page w/ VIDEO
• Chicken and the Dog Press Page with More News Articles LINK

SALLY’S SIDENOTES: 

• WIN The Chicken and the Dog Book or Calendar (Fill-out entry form in right side bar on the home page)
• UCP latest iTunes Review LINK

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