Spirit - the amazing grey dewlap toulouse gander!

[Iain Utah]

Thank you, Bhonkers and Donna.

In brighter news, Spirit and Ember have been going outside daily and it is awesome to see how fast Spirit is improving now that he has room/motivation to really work the leg. It has lightened these past 2 days a little to see him being a happy and normal gander.

 

[RURU]

How wonderful that Spirit is having some fun outside waddling around with Ember !!! Spirit I am very proud of you..... J I am super prod of you and how much you have done for Sprirt.......

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Thank you, Bhonkers and Donna.

In brighter news, Spirit and Ember have been going outside daily and it is awesome to see how fast Spirit is improving now that he has room/motivation to really work the leg. It has lightened these past 2 days a little to see him being a happy and normal gander.

What does he (and your other geese!) make of the patches of snow mixed in with patches of grass?

 

[Iain Utah]

Thanks, Ruru!

Bhonkers, they like fresh snow if not too deep. But they slip on the old snow patches, as it is hard packed and icy. Not fun. Spring is just around the corner, though, so I hope new snow will not stick on the ground for long.

 

[Iain Utah]

It's been a while since I posted a Spirit update and I believe we have reached the finish line, so to speak. Two days ago, Spirit/Ember were officially moved back outside 24/7. Spirit continues to improve use of his leg/foot and has reached the point where he can get around well enough to have a normal goose life. Here he is today in his pen which shares the fence line with his other special needs buddies:

 

[RURU]

So glad to hear Spirit can finally get around like somewhat a normal goose again!

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Such good news!!!

What are you using as a fence? Is that hardware cloth?

 

[Iain Utah]

Thanks, guys!

Bhonkers, the fence is made with hardware cloth, pvc pipe and connectors, zip ties/baling string and fiberglass stakes designed for electric livestock fencing.

 

[Iain Utah]

It's been four weeks since I last posted and I've had a few people asking for an update. Spirit has been living outside 24/7 for the past month with his two girlfriends. He has learned how to use his new leg/foot and can get around as well as any normal legged gander. He hasn't quite figured out how to mate, but he tries very hard and his girls are patient. He will be 1yo on May 12th. I used to have doubts he'd see that day, but those worries are a thing of the past now as he gets stronger each day.

Here he is this evening, hanging with his girls, Hitch (on left) who I rescued last summer with a badly turned in left hip and Ember (middle), his faithful companion from day 1.