Happy 1st Birthday To The Girls!

TO
APRIL and MAY

~~~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

It seems like only yesterday
that they were babes in my arms.

How did time pass so quickly,
before they packed up their things
and moved out on their own?

It's so difficult to be a mother
and have to let your babies go.

To think it was only a year ago ...
but first I must explain.

You remember sweet Alberta,
my helper and garden companion ...

the one that followed me inside
should I leave the door open...

the one that was always at my side.
... a mommy's girl.

~~~

Sadly, the day arrived
when she was no longer my shadow.
She said her good-bye
and became a very special memory.

~~~

I could not imagine life without a Canada Goose. Since growing up in the Midwest, I've had a love of their musical honking and the glorious sight of them as they filled the skies.

Little did I know that someday I would find out what wonderful pets they make, what unique personalities they have and how they bond with people ... almost like a dog.

Then we had the chance to adopt a Canada Goose that was homeless, I didn't know what to expect. But I never imagined that Alberta would become the love of my life.

And now, with no Canada Goose to keep me company while I trimmed the roses, the search to find another became an urgent matter.

The Canada Goose Chase

I searched for breeders nearby, then the entire state of Califonia, and eventually the entire United States. But no breeders were found.

Finally, I located a large Commercial Game Bird Company that sold Canada goslings during the Spring ... with a minimum of six. Not being sexed, that could possibly equal 3 pairs.

Didn't think that was a plan. Things weren't looking good.

Not willing to give up, I explained to the man on the phone that even though they were a huge company, it was of upmost importance for me to find one Canada Goose. Could he please help me!

He said to call him the following spring and he would see what he could do. I'm sure he thought he was rid of me.

The following spring, I called, again. The news was bad. John explained that there would be no shipments of Canada geese to California. They were sold out and most shipments were going to the East Coast.

The East Coast?! Didn't they have enough Canada Geese back there? Aren't those the fine people that complain about the flocks of Canada Geese everywhere?

Desperate, I considered getting on the plane for the "East Coast" with a bird net in hand.

A few weeks later, I got a call from a stranger with a rather gruff sounding voice. "Are you the lady that needs a Canada goosling ?"

He was in California and had a incubator full of eggs ready to hatch. He would call at the first "peck". I was now on OB watch.

Good ol' "John" had come through for me. Perhaps, it had been my sobbing that did the trick.

When we got the call, we were out the door and on our way to Northern California.

TRIP 1:

Leaving at 4 a.m. ... we drove 450 miles and arrived just in time to see her step out of the shell, stand up and say "Hi! World!"

I reached out, picked her up and instantly became ... mom! It was the last day of April, and that became her name.

It would now be a quick trip to get this babe home. So, with the required, very official California Wildlife Fish and Game license tightly in hand, we were on our way.

Sixteen hours and 900 miles later we were back where we began ...
with our Canada gosling.

FIRST ... THERE WAS ONE

The bathtub in the guest bathroom was now a brooder
with heat lamp and thermometer in place.

She looked so tiny .... and lonely.

TRIP 2:

So, it was back in the car and another 900 mile trip...
it was now the first day of May.

THEN THERE WERE TWO

April and her sister, May

It was a big world out there for them.

Safely in their "hawk proof" grazing pen,
they followed my hand and soon got the idea
of the proper goose grazing technique.

And how they grew!

Now, they are our lawn ornaments,
our entertainment and Royal's attendants.

They were worth every one of
those 1800 miles.

Happy Birthday
sweet girls !