Photo: Courtesy of The Gentle Barn
This avian odd couple has an adorable love story.
David Bowie the guinea fowl and Opal the hen are part of a long history ofunlikely animal friendshipsatThe Gentle Barn, an animal rescue nonprofit with sanctuaries across the county,
Courtesy of The Gentle Barn
“We have no idea how David Bowie came to us. One morning he was just there like magic. We don’t know if he was wild, lost, or if he was dumped on our property and thrown over our fence. We were thrilled to see him and invited him into our barn. We did everything we could think of to find his home, but he was never claimed,” Laks explains.
“From that first day we saw him, Bowie was circling the barnyard fence with his eyes right on Opal. He was obsessed from the first day. As soon as we let them be together in the yard, he followed her around, never leaving her side, sat next to her while she laid eggs, and slept right next to her,” Laks says.
The rescue hen was a bit leery of David Bowie’s attention initially, but she quickly grew to love the larger bird after spending time with him, according to The Gentle Barn founder.
“Now, she rather fancies him and has accepted him as her mate. I think she likes the attention and protection now, it makes her feel special,” Laks says of Opal.
“They are a couple, married for life, and always together. We never see one without the other now,” she adds.
Laks hopes that those who learn about Opal and David Bowie’s love story are moved to be more accepting.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Even though we all look different, we are all really the same when we are looking through the eyes of love,” she says.
Animal lovers who would like to support David Bowie and Opal, and the work of The Gentle Barn,can learn more at the sanctuary’s website.
source: people.com
