My old Chinese gander passed away a couple of days ago. He was a crusty character but I miss him terribly. There were differing accounts as to his age...but the general consensus is between 25-30 yo. His girls miss him..the rooster they share a backyard with has been terrorizing them. I think I have found a young (but mature) Chinese gander to step in...
He sounds like a grand old man...it is really a triumph when an old warrior is able to pass away from age. Sad for those are left behind, but the best possible outcome for a life.
How sad to lose a grand old man. I had no idea that geese could live that long, they must really become part of your life after so many years.
Awe ... dear Esssssssmeralda passed a few years back here. She was around for 16 years, but I got her full grown, so we do not know her exact age.
Never an easy time.
Wow.. that is terrible! I'm so sorry for your loss. He had to be a major part of your life to be around so long. Kudos to you for having him life such a long wonderful life. :)
edited to add..
You have dmail.
This message was edited May 9, 2009 4:48 PM
I love the pic's but must admit, I hate ganders. If he'd been mine he'd been lucky to live 25 days. Now with that out of my system, Is there any such thing as a nice gander? I'm serious about that question. I have never done it, but often wanted to buy ganders for target practice. Guess I just wanted to get even for that devil gander that chased me and took little peices out of my hyde when I was about six years old. Those little peices never did find their way home.LOL It wasn't funny back then. Really sorry about you loss though. Hay
Our Esmeralda would not come to you for pets, but once you caught her, she could not get enough neck and head scratching. If hand-raised, I am sure she would have been very domesticated. So soft to pet and scratch.
She really was an excellent pet.
She would honk when ever someone or something came into the yard, and while she was around, I never had to mow the backyard grass (typical suburban fenced in box yard) which never had a single weed.
She would eat clean out all the clover and the dandelions, leaving the lawn trimmed to about an inch high. Never saw a nasty yellow flower in the lawn.
Of course, ALL the gardens had to be fenced in!!
Though I am sure it isn't (and wasn't) legal to have one in the town, neighbors still ask me when I am going to get another. She was quite the novelty in the neighborhood, and folks would bring their kids by to see and pet her.
I will admit, that, when we brought her home and let her out of the crate, the first thing she did was lunge at my friend and nipped him in the shin!! It was so funny, we still laugh about it!
It's unfortunate you had such a limited, negative experience with them, Hay. Esmeralda is missed by many, as missed as eweknow's is going to be.
Mr Haystack, could you tell us how you really feel? LMBO
I about spit my coffee on the screen with those comments!
I have no experience with geese but have always admired and respected them. Especially when walking through the forest preserve a few years back my BIL tried to get an upclose ook at a baby... wow are they protective MOMs.. and when Moms are unhappy Dads come a flying over.. he had a flock chasing him down.. and they wouldn't quit! Made us laugh until we cried.. now I feel bad because oviously the poor geese were very threatened.
eweknow, I am very sorry for your loss, it really hurts to lose a friend, especially one that is such a yard staple.. there everyday for years on end... I am sure he will be missed, but I will wager NEVER forgotten.
Eweknow - sorry to hear about your gander - I am amazed at his age. I guess I thought they were more like chickens - maybe 5-7 years at best. That is so wonderful that he was able to have such a great life with you. I have just hatched our very first goose last week (well, the incubator hatched it for me). It is supposed to be a sebastopol cross. I wonder how old they can live to be. So far, it seems to like me petting it, so I hope it can stay that way.
OH MOX!!! A cross Sebastopol is much worse than a cross woman. Here's hopping all goes well! Ya know Mox if I were you I'd run a few laps everyday while she's still young. You know? for the future race for your life. Oh yes Mox they will be so sweet til they suck you in. Then the show is on. Are there any special things I can say about you when your no longer with us? I know "The ole hen was done in by an ole goose. Ya gotta love me. Haystack
I'm very sorry about the loss of your old friend. Geese are so funny, and yes very tough. I love them.
Oh Hay, you underestimate by ability to put my goose under my spell. Just like Eweknow's gander, my goose will just love me. :-)
(p.s. I only just turned 40, am I already an old hen?)
OK Mox! I repent. No your not an old hen, actually your a princess. I was just jealous. I take it all back, I just love ganders, and would love to have one, baking in my oven. I would probably fork him several times, before slicing him. Hay
Eweknow ---thanks very much for sharing that story. So glad you posted. And sorry for your loss......
Otherwise, Ladies? Methinks our "Ol' Gander" may have just cooked his own goose with all this forking around.............. Ooohh HAaaaaay....? (Even the most cantankerous of old ganders has a few sweet spots!! tender even..... ;)
I love ganders... but I can't eat a whole one myself.....
Ginger
