A New Journey For Nicholas Gander...

Welcome.

Now I know the Introductory Image is of a Swan, but the mood the image gives felt very right for this Story of my wonderful 18 year old Gander Nicholas.

On Thursday, 24 November 2011 at about 3pm, Nicholas was introduced to two Goslings who responded eagerly the moment they saw him.... and I had the pleasure of seeing Nicholas' Energy unfold in renewing layers with seeing and hearing the Goslings... he has become whole again... his response equalled their pleasure as he spoke in turn to them and began nibbling their tiny 1 week old bodies with affection.

 Nicholas died January 2012.

He quietly let go as the Goslings became more independent.

It was sad for me and them, but he did look contented even in death.

I don't regret doing what I did for him.  I miss him.

The other special Family member in this Story is Victoria Hen.

Sadly she died towards the end of 2012 at only 3.  I deeply miss her also. 

         My wonderful Nicholas Gander had been coping as best he could for two months before this Gosling event.  His Friend for about ten years, Henry Gander, died on 22 September 2011, and though I have not shared the Story, the grieving and coping has been difficult for both of us... and I am still not ready to write further about that day and night of loss and sadness. What I will add here though, I am so very proud of Nicholas for trying to be the only Gander... and he really did try to cope.... but he was steadily losing the desire to do or say anything, and I knew if I didn't do something, I was going to be watching him each day fade within himself and die.

         We have shared seventeen years together, seventeen years of Stories... I believed and felt strongly I owed him something for all those years... I felt I had a responsibility to him.... and though I would have liked very much if he could have continued coping.... I could see he wasn't.

         So, as much as I feel that with me being 60, it is time I now simply let each of my remaining Crew pass when their natural time comes, I was unable to not do something to help Nicholas... my life is not just about me... and Nicholas is important. I may not want to pass away and leave behind those I am caring for, but I also don't want to ignore their needs when they need me to give that little extra.

         The following photo was my Nicholas on 22 October 2011, one month after Gander Henry's death and one day after our Suzanna Hen was lost to us too....

         Though Nicholas did pick up a little since then, what you see in that photo is what Nicholas had begun doing each day every day more and more.... just standing under the house, by the water container, occasionally eating, and regularly drinking. He was rarely saying anything, took little interest in his appearance, only wandered about the yard a little.... and then to only mainly stand by his Pond and drink water there too....

         On the morning of the 24th November, I sat under there with him and we talked... well he just listened.... but the feelings like waves flowing through me and around me from Nicholas as I spoke told me heaps... he was allowing himself to fade... when he tucked his head under his wing, I sensed immediately he would die if I didn't do something more than I am doing.

         After a few phone calls... and discovering about 20minutes drive from me I could meet up with Goslings, teenage Geese and adult Geese I was shocked. Geese are rarely available.  Ducks yes, but not Geese.

         Then a close Wildlife Carer Friend pointed out to me that she tried to do this for me weeks ago... and will be picking me up at 1pm for the Journey to meet up with a Friend for Nicholas, and the deed is a Christmas Gift for him from her, no protests accepted.

         Those two special moments didn't end there, because by 1pm the Sky opened and poured buckets of water locally for about half an hour... yes, locally only.... hardly any fell elsewhere, and the rain was only a large amount of water....

         The significance of that rain is the ground had been so parched for water, that to walk on the Grass was to feel it crackle under-foot... the Sky's gift meant by the time we returned about 3pm there was a little green to be seen, and the ground had been refreshed.

         But, I have been more than wordy enough.... please enjoy the photos I remembered to take after the initial meeting between the Goslings and Nicholas......

         Nicholas was waiting for our return out in the Paddock... with his head held tall looking, I approached.... Goslings was not the intention but the result... and from the initial meeting between Nicholas and the Goslings he kept becoming more himself again, and I'll include... feeling quite renewed....

         After having encouraged the Goslings out of the paddock into the yard.....

          Nicholas can now relax with his 1wk old Goslings being safely in the yard, and the Goslings can relax with their adopted Dad after their big Journey.....

         Then Victoria Hen arrived.... the meeting went well....

          There was an interesting moment when the meeting with Victoria occurred and the Goslings went peepingly trilling away over to say hello to her.... Nicholas began stepping back and withdrawing... I instantly said "No Nicholas, they are your Goslings".  One could physically see Nicholas let out his breath and proudly step forward.

         Nicholas had looked after Victoria Hen when she was still a Chick and doing her first yard exploring, so the moment the Goslings went to her I'm certain he felt they were hers.  This is Nicholas' first experience with Goslings... the baby Hens were the only other such youngsters he has been with in his 18yrs, except when we had baby Doves, but that isn't quite the same thing....

         Knowing now they are his.....

         Watching this event unfold was very moving for me and our Wildlife Carer Friend... as I said to her, it is moments like this when she is rewarded with the hugest thanks possible for all she does for others... and she is boundless and limitless in the way she cares and gives of herself without thinking about it first... one of those very special Folk inhabiting this wonderful Earth. 

         Next came Nicholas introducing his Goslings to the Pond....

          After that initial daunting encounter, the drinking from it challenge is tackled...

         And achieved.....

         I have provided suitable drinking containers for Goslings, but for then, they did well sorting out the in-curve was the best way to achieve a drink..... 

         The following morning, 25 November 2011, around 8am, Victoria Hen joins in with morning outdoor explorations....

          Victoria Hen's response to Nicholas' Goslings has been an unexpected boon.  Since the loss of her Sister Suzanna on 21st October, she has been spending more time with Nicholas.  Their relationship was building, but it was not enough for Nicholas, which is understandable, he has never been without other Goose company in his 18yrs.

         Victoria was thankfully doing fine, but then she spent a lot of time inside with me, the Doves and Tiffany Cat.... but now.... well she's out and about every morning, and even during the day wandering about with Nicholas and the Goslings or just sitting with them... much healthier than being inside such a lot.  Though she does get rather frustrated with the Goslings when they eat the grass instead of scratching about, and aren't finding interesting yummies. Still, it is good to see her being more active and animated again.....

         continuing with the Following Morning's get together.....

 

 

 

 

 

         As you have seen, Nicholas is a Gander feeling living is again quite worthwhile, and two little Goslings are feeling secure and content with their adopted Dad and an Auntie Victoria Hen... really does fill my heart with warmth.... and that has been an unexpected boon for me too... I feel light hearted, able to get on with everyday things again... the pain and sorrow I felt so deeply is filled with light and comfort.  I have been given to also. 

         Paw Paw is a daily favourite, enjoyed by me Nicholas Gander and Victoria Hen, and now the Goslings have decided it really is yummy too.... though one doesn't want to be too close.... they often get it everywhere including down their throats....

         I've had that photo printed into a 10x8" as a gift for our Wildlife Carer Friend... it turned out lovely... looks a little like an oil painting.
         Where I had it printed was fully surprised by the result with being from a phone and just a small portion of the actual photo... but then Vivaz does try and do her best for me.....

         A week later... 2 December 2011, after 6pm, when twilight was nearing, I was sitting on the back steps enjoying the passing of the day when I also noticed how much the Goslings have grown in one week.  I fetched Vivaz and had a go at recording their now 2wks difference.... in the background, slightly visible are a pair of Pacific Black Ducks.  They are regular evening Visitors...

          And to end this first introduction to Nicholas' New Journey.... the Goslings themselves being 2wks, and I'm so pleased they are enjoying being with us.... and if you are wondering about names.... well what has emerged for now... Pip is on the left, and William is on the right with you looking at the photo.... I don't know their gender yet, so their names that have emerged are a maybe....

         I hope you have enjoyed the Journey.... they are 3wks old now and have grown even more... but that part of Nicholas' Story with his Goslings I will do and update of at a later time, which I hope you will enjoy seeing.  I have been having wonderful uplifting moments watching Nicholas more and more take and interest in himself again, wandering about, using his voice and in general enjoying life with his Goslings. 

         I admit I was not ready to do such a Journey again, but have no regrets with seeing Nicholas Gander and Victoria Hen thriving with the Goslings growing and being part of our life.

        When the decision was made and I was off to meet who would accept me and the thought of being a companion for Nicholas, I had intended on seeking out another male.  I really didn't want the challenge of coping with Nests and Eggs and all that entails.... but after nearly 2hrs amid the various ages of Geese I met, Goslings ended up being the choice. The final reason involving my lack of good fencing and the need for being able to simply handle the Geese.

        Nicholas is not really tame, even after our 17yrs together (we met when he was nearly a year old), so we have a ritual for me to handle him, which the Goslings are already adapting to, and then enjoy time cuddling into me for nurturing.

         Nicholas does the caring and watching part, but he's not comfortable about them snuggling into his body... that's my part of the duty to care.

         Nicholas has also begun giving me watch duty during certain times of the day while he has a nap. Well I suppose he is 18, more a Grandad than a Dad... so I sit outside and do watch duty when it's my turn, with Victoria Hen nearby, looking, to me, amused, which I promptly ignore. 

Continuing Update...

        Without Nicholas the Goslings were quite a handful for me and Victoria Hen.

Then when Victoria Hen died towards the end of 2012, I was very much on my own with caring for the Goslings.  They were finding being on their own difficult, so my input for them was a concentrated effort for many months.

        This update being April 01, 2014, and with the Goslings becoming 3 in November, we have done well together, and keep improving.

If you would be interested, and have not yet seen the Post I did for Nicholas and Henry before Henry Gander died please click on....  Introducing Nicholas and Henry  .... and you can Travel that Journey also

If you would like to read the Post with Suzanna Hen when she was alive, I did a Post for Victoria's and Suzanna's second Birthday.... just click on....  Two Hens Two Years  .... and you can share in that moment also

        Both are listed with my Label for - Being a Family Inspires... 

Introductory Image is from

   http://www.animated-gifs.eu

Photos are by me with my 8megapixel Sony Ericsson phone Vivaz, and any editing is with my Windows Live Photo programme.

Thank you so much for making it this far... deeply appreciate your time....

Good wishes to you from Magda and my Crew.

And don't forget, you can click on a photo and have the benefit of viewing them all via the elegant Slide Show view.

PS... I now include the word 'Crew' or 'Family' - which consists of Cat, Doves, Geese (plural again), and Hen - because whenever I do computer stuff, the attached 18" screen also goes on, so who's ever present is also watching what is going on... and believe it or not.... do give input!

01.04.2014..
It is interesting to read back over Posts.  So many memories and changes.
In reading the PS part, the Family/Crew have diminished much since 2011 when this Post was done.
My cat passed December 2013.. she was about 17.
One of my Doves also passed in 2013, he was 13.
My heart aches with the love I still feel for them.. I now can only remember, but I am glad I remember.  I miss them.