Goose activity at the New England Wildlife Center in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, which treats thousands of animals a year, attracts the attention of Grumpy Editor...and others.
Executive Director Zak Mertz says a recent case involving a Canada goose, stands out from all the rest.
Named Arnold by the staff, he was brought it for treatment of a badly damaged foot.
“Prepping him for anesthesia --- giving him meds --- we hear this faint tapping at the door," Zak recalls.
Turns out it's Arnold’s mate.
"My guess is that she saw us capture him the day before and he was probably honking in the cage overnight," Zak adds.
After surgery, Arnold was moved to another floor for recovery, where his mate, now named Amelia, comforted and preened him --- the avian embodiment of "in sickness and in health."
Geese mate for life. And Amelia visited him during his convalescence period until he was finally released.
After Arnold’s release, Zak points out, "I think it gave us all a new respect for how social these animals are and sort of the depth they have in their emotions.
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