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Will do, with a right good will! The DH and I were just outside, trying to mend a leak in a garden hose with Gorilla Tape (by which we managed to slow the leak to more of a trickle, not completely mend it, and it won't last... ) and the goosers started Scree-Chonking! First time I've really heard them honk since the first day. Due to the wooden privacy fence we couldn't see them from the driveway where we were standing, so I of course took off running to make sure they weren't alerting to a rabid dog or a Tasmanian devil or something. They were focusing on the road in front of the pasture, but I didn't see anything unusual. Of course, I am not a goose so I just might not understand. But it might just have been they heard the the DH and I talking outside. Once I knew they weren't in danger, it put a big old smile on my face.
Maybe they're starting to feel at home! It sounded beautiful.
My shepherd mix, Marvin, who is great with the chickens is also fine with the geese. Lately Henry has come up behind him a couple times and pulled a little tuft of hair out of Marvin's behind. Hee, hee! But the surprise has been Sasha the Boston terrier. She's always seemed too focused on the chickens through the fence to let her out there with them, although the few times she snuck through she only looked... "Wow, what do I do now?" and she was simple to recall and get out of the chicken area. Well, with the geese she became very, very determined to squeeze through the fence. So when just the geese were loose, I watched her with them. If they're in Goose Jail she'll yip at them from outside, but if they're free ranging, she quickly decided no way was she interested in challenging them. Mostly, her big interest is in eating goose and chicken poo
Libby in particular seems fascinated by her. She'll walk up to within an inch or two of Sasha with her neck extended in threat. Sasha completely ignores her in favor of the delicious goose nectar on the ground. I watch them closely but no nipping as yet (by either one, but I think it'll be by Libby when it happens!). It's very entertaining.
Today when I went out to see the geese and the chickens who were all enjoying our beautiful weather, I let Marvin go and took Sasha out on a leash fastened around my waist so I could still do chores. She made one minor lunge at a chicken, which I corrected, then she just watched them pretty peacefully as they came up close to me (and to her). Then later in the day when I went out to visit the birds, she squeezed through the gate/fence when I wasn't looking. (Yes, the gate really really needs a better system than BUNGEE CORDS to keep it closed. Duh. It's only worked as long as it has because the dogs weren't motivated enough to really test it... until the geese came). Anyway, I turned around and there was Sasha, searching for snacks, surrounded by chickens. Not going to trust her without supervision yet, but maybe I have my second full-fledged Farm Dog.
Mom2, come visit? Bring your kids too if they want to come. The goosers miss you too, I'm sure! You are welcome any time. The geese are a great addition to our family, and we're so grateful to you and your family.
Will do, with a right good will! The DH and I were just outside, trying to mend a leak in a garden hose with Gorilla Tape (by which we managed to slow the leak to more of a trickle, not completely mend it, and it won't last... ) and the goosers started Scree-Chonking! First time I've really heard them honk since the first day. Due to the wooden privacy fence we couldn't see them from the driveway where we were standing, so I of course took off running to make sure they weren't alerting to a rabid dog or a Tasmanian devil or something. They were focusing on the road in front of the pasture, but I didn't see anything unusual. Of course, I am not a goose so I just might not understand. But it might just have been they heard the the DH and I talking outside. Once I knew they weren't in danger, it put a big old smile on my face.
My shepherd mix, Marvin, who is great with the chickens is also fine with the geese. Lately Henry has come up behind him a couple times and pulled a little tuft of hair out of Marvin's behind. Hee, hee! But the surprise has been Sasha the Boston terrier. She's always seemed too focused on the chickens through the fence to let her out there with them, although the few times she snuck through she only looked... "Wow, what do I do now?" and she was simple to recall and get out of the chicken area. Well, with the geese she became very, very determined to squeeze through the fence. So when just the geese were loose, I watched her with them. If they're in Goose Jail she'll yip at them from outside, but if they're free ranging, she quickly decided no way was she interested in challenging them. Mostly, her big interest is in eating goose and chicken poo
Today when I went out to see the geese and the chickens who were all enjoying our beautiful weather, I let Marvin go and took Sasha out on a leash fastened around my waist so I could still do chores. She made one minor lunge at a chicken, which I corrected, then she just watched them pretty peacefully as they came up close to me (and to her). Then later in the day when I went out to visit the birds, she squeezed through the gate/fence when I wasn't looking. (Yes, the gate really really needs a better system than BUNGEE CORDS to keep it closed. Duh. It's only worked as long as it has because the dogs weren't motivated enough to really test it... until the geese came). Anyway, I turned around and there was Sasha, searching for snacks, surrounded by chickens. Not going to trust her without supervision yet, but maybe I have my second full-fledged Farm Dog.
Mom2, come visit? Bring your kids too if they want to come. The goosers miss you too, I'm sure! You are welcome any time. The geese are a great addition to our family, and we're so grateful to you and your family.
