While most animals that come through the doors of MSPCA-Angell are searching for a forever home, one special Irish wolfhound named Chicken visits with a different purpose — to make new friends.
From the moment Alyssa Krieger, a staff member at the shelter, brought Chicken into her life, she knew there was something extraordinary about her. Named Chicken of the Sea in memory of her late canine sibling, Tuna, the sweet pup had a calm and comforting energy. That soothing presence quickly filled Krieger’s home with peace — a feeling she felt compelled to share with the animals at the shelter.
Introducing Chicken to the Shelter Family
Introducing a new dog to the hustle and bustle of a shelter can often be tricky, but Krieger believed that Chicken’s calm nature made her an ideal fit. Her instincts were quickly proven right when, during a visit to the shelter, Chicken met a young resident puppy out on a walk.
Though only 10 months old, Chicken was already much larger than the pup. Still, her size didn’t scare the little one. Instead, Chicken approached with a gentle demeanor, engaging in a brief, friendly play session before continuing inside with Krieger.
Building Bonds with Shelter Animals
Not long after, Chicken encountered another puppy with a very different personality — this one was timid and unsure. Still, Chicken seemed to instinctively understand exactly how to approach her.
“A few days later, we had a really shy puppy, so I decided to bring her to my office for a break from the kennel,” Krieger recalled. “Chicken immediately adjusted her behavior, staying calm and gentle — almost like she sensed the pup needed a softer touch.”
From then on, Chicken became a familiar face to almost every new arrival at MSPCA-Angell. Whether they were big or small, young or old — even a different species — she had a natural gift for making each animal feel at ease. She never rushed a greeting, always waiting calmly until the other animal was ready to engage.
“Chicken plays a very important role at MSPCA-Angell,” Krieger shared in an Instagram post. “Her job is to provide stressed-out shelter puppies with a comforting space to unwind — and sometimes she even helps care for the occasional kitten we foster.”
A Special Friendship with Gumball
One of the sweetest friendships Chicken made was with a tiny, orphaned kitten called Gumball.
According to Krieger, “He had no fear of her at all, and wherever he went, she was never far behind. Watching them together was absolutely adorable — he was barely the size of her paw, yet they moved through the house like a pair of inseparable buddies.”
Want to see how Chicken and Krieger’s connection grew? Check it out here:
Some dogs feel at ease around Chicken right away, while others take time to warm up — often thanks to her gentle and patient nature. One such case was Ana, a nervous shelter pup who had a hard time connecting with others.
“Ana struggled when meeting other dogs because her reactions made her seem intimidating,” Krieger explained in an Instagram post. “We wanted to give her a chance to interact with a dog who would stay calm no matter what — so we could figure out whether she was simply scared or truly didn’t enjoy being around other dogs.”
After spending just a few hours with Chicken, Ana’s behavior shifted dramatically. What started as tension turned into gentle play and calm companionship. Her progress showed the staff that she was more than ready to thrive in a foster or adoptive home.
You can see the heartwarming moments between Ana and Chicken here:
Saving Lives Through Blood Donation
Chicken’s impact goes far beyond comforting shelter pets — she’s also a lifesaver. In addition to her emotional support, this gentle giant donates blood to dogs in critical need.
“Because she’s a universal donor, her blood can be used for any dog admitted to our ICU in need of a transfusion,” Krieger shared. “And her calm, laid-back nature makes her a perfect fit for the hospital setting, where stress levels are often high.”
Outside of her visits to the shelter, Chicken spends her days doing what she loves most — running around with her closest canine pals, including Poppy the Irish wolfhound, Junie the pit bull mix, and Enid the collie. At home, she’s happiest snuggled up with her favorite human, her little brother Max, or soaking in affection from friendly strangers during park outings.
Though she’s not yet three years old, Chicken has already made an incredible impact. And with her big heart and boundless energy, there’s no doubt she has plenty more lives to touch in the years ahead.
