I hatched a goose from an egg, we gave her a name, Christmas as she was going to star in our Christmas lunch
She followed the kids around, waited at the gate for them to come home from school, they even bought a cat lead and took her for walks over the park and the pond
She was very protective towards the garden and the kids, nothing she didnt like ever came in there, that included the cats, pigeons, dogs, the neighbor (but for some reason she liked the postman) it would be head down, wings out and honking like a good 'un
Well December arrived and the day was approaching, I had learnt how to kill and dress a goose, I wasnt looking forward to it, but its what she was hatched for
About a week to go I told the kids to say their good byes to Christmas, of course there were tears and a few arguments
The day (or rather the night, I always prefer to do the deed at night when they are relaxed)
I picked her up and took her into the shed and of course she was all over me, honking, but not loud, I looked at her, she looked at me, well I bottled out, I put her back and we bought a frozen turkey
She had a great Christmas, sprouts, cabbage, even her own lettuce (the kids bought her several for Christmas)
She went on for a good few years, strutting around the garden, eating all the plants, still waited for the kids and protected the garden from all comers
My advice to ANYONE, never cuddle or make friends with a goose, never give them names, treat them as the should be treated and what you are growing them for, never let the kids near them when they are goslings
The kids are all grown up now, but they still talk about Christmas and the frozen turkey we had, I made the mistake of giving my cockerel a name, Barry, now the wife wont let me doing anything with him, I think he fancies my wife, he cuddles up when she is in the garden, follows her around
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I just wonder how many of these geese are going to be around this time next year
I know Barry will still be here