Monday, August 25, 2025

Monday, August 25, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in August of 2004. Mattie was two years old and we were in California visiting with my parents. That day we went on an adventure, I believe this was Westlake, but since it was so long ago, and a place I never went before, I don't remember exactly. But if there were ducks around, rest assured Mattie wanted to feed them! Mattie always commented on the relationships and bonds he saw between the birds. The apple didn't fall far from the tree on that front! When my mom was a child, she feed the birds with my grandmother, when I was a child, I remember feeding the birds with both my mom and grandmother, so in a way, this photo featured three generations who were in love with connecting and feeding the birds. 

Quote of the day: For them, it was nothing but an ordinary day on an ordinary day on an ordinary weekend, but for her, there was something revelatory about the notion that wonderful moments like these existed. ~ Nicholas Sparks

My lifetime friend, Karen, sent me a video last night of Arnold, the Canadian Goose, who was injured in New England. The story captured my heart, because it shows the power of connection, commitment, and love. As humans, we think we are the only ones who can possess such deep and meaningful feelings and thoughts. Of course any pet owner can tell you the special bond they share with their dog or cat! Our pets love us unconditionally, they are good listeners, they get us interacting with the outside world, and they seem to know when we need to take a break from working. Goodness knows, Sunny (my Australian Shepherd who died in 2024), left an indelible mark on my heart and he will be forever missed. But what about birds? I know when my mom was a teenager, she had a parakeet named Flip. I have heard countless stories about Flip over the years. Flip apparently could tell when my mom was coming home from school and walking up her apartment staircase. Flip sensed her and would flip out! Flying about, making a racket, and greeting my mom at her front door. 

Canadian Geese truly intrigue me. They always have, mainly because in the winter time, they are beautiful signs and reminders that nature is alive and well. I love seeing them dotted all over the winter grass, flying in their V formations and I admire their ability to form strong bonds and live as part of a community group. Did you know that at the age of 2 or 3 years, geese begin to seek a mate through the process of assortative mating, which means they look for a bird that is about the same size as them. Geese can live between 10 to 25 years, so it's not uncommon for a pair to be together for a decade or longer.

Now hears the part that always gets me, when a goose loses its mate, it typically enters a period of deep mourning, exhibiting "human-like" signs of grief such as hanging its head, appearing apathetic, or becoming withdrawn. The widowed goose may also stay near the site of its mate's death, searching for them for extended periods.

The video below highlights the story of Arnold and his mate, Amelia. Amelia saw that Arnold was captured by the wildlife center staff and she literally followed them back to the clinic and pecked at the sliding glass door of the surgical room, because she wanted to get in and to see what was happening with Arnold. Arnold needed surgery, and just like any of us who had a loved one in surgery, we would want to meet the doctor and see what was going on for ourselves. Amelia apparently felt the same way and also visited Arnold daily while he was recovering! No one was talking about the psychosocial impact or benefits for Arnold by having Amelia present, but I wouldn't be surprised if his recovery time was shortened by having her daily visits. I think Arnold shows us, that being ill is NOT JUST ABOUT THE MEDICINE. The power of bonds and connections are an incredibly healing factor that can not be overlooked or ignored.