You gotta love Manitou Springs. First, they gave us Homer the Duck. Now, they want to bring us Mr. Clucky and Wallflower.

You probably remember Homer, the pet of Lou Smith. Here they are in a 2002 portrait by The Gazette’s Bryan Oller.

       Homer was a female duck adopted by Smith.  

      Unfortunately, Homer quacked too much for Smith’s next-door neighbor and the dispute ended up in Manitou Springs Municipal Court in July 2002.

      Here’s a link to the first day of testimony and then to the judge’s ruling in the case, in favor of Smith and Homer.

   Then came news Homer had died on July 4, 2003, apparently “loved to death” by her over-affectionate mate, Gerard. The sad tale of Homer the Duck became legendary in Manitou Springs and they even held a festival in her honor.

So it’s no surprise that Manitou officials are feeling sympathy of Miami Beach resident Mark Buckley and his fight to keep his pets, the bicycle-riding rooster Mr. Clucky and his hen-friend, Wallflower.

Neighbors want the rooster and hen, and even Buckley, evicted from his studio apartment for violating codes that prohibit poultry from living in the swank city. Buckley, a carpenter, handyman, activist and artist, has been fined $50 and ordered to lose his pets. He is fighting, trying to get a variance.

 

 

Here is Buckley with Mr. Clucky in a Feb. 22, 2008 file photo by the AP’s J. Pat Carter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Below are photos of Buckley and Mr. Clucky from his Web site: www.mrclucky.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manitou Springs’ Economic Development Council is offering Mr. Clucky and Wallflower a relocation package to 16 acres at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post.

The EDC’s director, Kitty Clemens, said Manitou Springs always has room for more chickens, hens and artists.

Buckley said he appreciated the invitation, but he intends to stay and fight in Miami Beach. Buckley said he’s a sailor and Mr. Clucky likes to ride in his boat.

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