A visit from Mother Goose

We have a dear friend, Jo, that is very good with animals. She and her husband have rescued several animals. Since we have known them, they have rescued several golden retrievers. She cares for a buck deer she calls "Handsome". Last winter, they adopted and cared for an abandoned squirrel they named Nicky. Right now, they are caring for a Canadian Goose named Milo.

When someone brought Milo to her, he was just a ball of yellow down. His grey feet identified him as a goose rather than a duck. He quickly imprinted on Jo and was following her everywhere.

Last night, Jo and her husband, Blake, brought Milo to our home for a visit. He was wrapped carefully in a towel because he is so efficient at processing his food. Jo has a harness she uses on Milo to hold diapers on him. She didn't bring it with her, so for the sake of Milo and our carpets, we took our visitors to the back yard. Milo was quite at home. He explored and sampled the grass and dandelions as he seemed to carry on a conversation with Jo.

At Jo's prompting, he spread his wings. I was really surprised at how large he had gotten in the short time he has been with our friends. Blake tells me that Canadian geese are full grown in three and a half months from birth.

Canadian Geese are social animals. In an effort to help Milo integrate with others of his species, cracked corn is being fed to a flock of geese nearby as Milo learns to be a part of the gaggle. As the wild geese have learned to accept Jo and Blake, they have accepted Milo as well.

Milo is beginning to fly. With time he may migrate with the other birds of his species. I believe Milo will always be a part of Blake and Jo's family.

Take a look at the pictures Jo sent of Milo, Nikky, Shawmus, and Joby: