Chicken Little’s Story: From Research Hero to Beloved Family Member

Chicken Little has always been a petite beagle, and I fell in love with her while caring for her during her early years as a research hero. In her first role, she was part of a pharmacokinetic colony, helping scientists understand how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted in the body. Her contributions were vital, and she played her part with grace.

Chicken Little retired in November 2018 and joined our family just two days before Christmas — a truly special gift. From the moment she arrived, she brought a unique personality to our home, complete with endearing quirks and boundless silliness. She found her favorite quiet spots to sleep during her first few days and quickly learned our household routine, thanks to our boxer, Julius, who took her under his wing and showed her the ropes.

Finding Her Place and Personality

It wasn’t long before she started to accumulate a variety of nicknames. We often call her by playful monikers like McGee (our favorite for reasons unknown), Cha Cha, Ma Ma and Pants. Occasionally, we even remember to use her real name!

Chicken Little has a strong, sweet nature and plenty of habits that make her unique. She loves sleeping in quiet, secluded spots and prefers to roam freely over taking car rides or going on leash walks. We trust her to stick close, as she’s an excellent follower. Always punctual, she starts asking for breakfast an hour before sunrise and for dinner well before it’s time to eat. She doesn’t show much interest in toys; however, she’s incredibly food-motivated and will occasionally grace us with a cuddle. It took her about three years to discover her classic beagle bay, which she now shares freely with the entire neighborhood whenever she’s in the yard.

Despite these quirks, her most beloved and signature trait is her habit of flopping onto her back to beg for belly rubs. It’s an irresistible request, and everyone who meets her soon learns how much she loves it. With her ever-wagging tail and gentle disposition, Chicken Little prefers human company over other canines and is happiest lounging outside in a sunny spot. She interacts warmly with the other pets in our home, further showcasing her sweet nature. (ALSO READ MAX’S STORY)

An Ambassador for Research Heroes

Chicken Little has become a wonderful advocate for retired research heroes. She joins me at annual Biomedical Research Awareness Day (BRAD) events and other community gatherings, proudly wearing her “Retired Research Hero” bandana and helping to spread awareness about the important role of animals in research. We are incredibly grateful for her and love her dearly.

Carolyn Allen, BS, RLATG, CMAR, works in comparative medicine at AbbVie.

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