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10-year-old owner of wheelchair-bound chicken upset over ‘SNL’ jokes

In this provided by Mikayla Feehan and taken on April 3, 2019, a pet chicken named Granite Heart tests out a custom wheelchair made by Walkin’ Pets in Amherst, N.H. On a recent SNL episode, the television show's "Weekend Update" co-host said she should "just eat the chicken." Ten-year-old Alora Wood of Underhill, Vermont, tells NECN-TV that she knows the segment was meant to be a joke, but says what if it was a dog. The chicken was born with a deformed foot. (Mikayla Feehan/Via AP)
In this provided by Mikayla Feehan and taken on April 3, 2019, a pet chicken named Granite Heart tests out a custom wheelchair made by Walkin’ Pets in Amherst, N.H. On a recent SNL episode, the television show's "Weekend Update" co-host said she should "just eat the chicken." Ten-year-old Alora Wood of Underhill, Vermont, tells NECN-TV that she knows the segment was meant to be a joke, but says what if it was a dog. The chicken was born with a deformed foot. (Mikayla Feehan/Via AP)
By Jared Leone, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
April 12, 2019

Unlike most pet chickens, Granite Heart was born disabled.

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For 10-year-old owner Alora Wood, that does not mean her feathered friend does not get to live a normal life, NECN reported.

So, Granite Heart, who was born with a deformed leg and is unable to walk, is learning how to get around in a custom wheelchair.

"I think it's going to be easier for her when she learns to push with her foot," Wood told NECN. "She's still working on it, but I think she'll get it really soon."

The idea of a chicken in a wheelchair naturally lent itself to jokes on a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

“(Wood) should just eat the chicken,” a “Weekend Update” co-host quipped.

However, Wood is not laughing.

"Be more sensitive. I know it was meant to be a joke, but what if it was a dog?" Wood told NECN. "Any creature, no matter how big, no matter how small, they deserve to have a perfect life."

Wheelchair-maker Mark Robinson understands Wood’s objection but was excited his wheelchairs were featured on his favorite show.

"It was great," he told NECN. "I loved it."

About the Author

Jared Leone, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

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