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?
and have to let your babies go.
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.~~~
when she was no longer my shadow.
She said her good-bye
and became a very special memory.
~~~
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.
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.
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 !
