Animals are incredible, and I’m reminded of this more than ever by an old man and a feral goose:
A northern Idaho man diagnosed with terminal cancer says a usually cantankerous goose that befriended him on his walks has helped him live past doctors’ predictions.
Then last fall his skin turned yellow overnight, and doctors diagnosed pancreatic cancer, giving Lytle only months to live. But Lytle continued his walks, having to cut them down to two miles at a nearby lake, where he met the goose who has inspired him to keep going even when he wasn’t feeling well.
The goose, called Mr. Waddles, is a feral domestic goose, a biologist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said, offering no explanation for the relationship that has developed between the goose and Lytle. Myrna has thought about that as well.
The goose, about 30 pounds with a red beak and red feet, approaches Lytle when he calls and rubs its head against his arms. But it snaps at anyone else who gets too close, including Myrna, their daughter, and Bill’s hospice aide.
I am in awe of the magical, silent communication between man and beast in situations like this. What draws a normally bitchy goose to a man whose days are slipping so fast? There is no way to know, exactly. Recent studies show that dogs can smell cancer on patients’ breath.
And perhaps this is the reason the goose has chosen Mr. Lytle, he can sense the sickness. But that is only half the equation. The half that science can’t explain is why the goose is being kind, showing him affection. Why allow a human, who he normally would snap and honk at, to touch him? Why snuggle this man, and chase off all others?
You can tell me animals don’t think. You can argue that they don’t form thoughts or have logic or abide by human morals.
But you can’t tell me they don’t feel, and that they don’t experience and show affection and love.
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You can tell me animals don’t think. You can argue that they don’t form thoughts or have logic or abide by human morals.
But you can’t tell me they don’t feel, and that they don’t experience and show affection and love.
Amen, Lachlan, that is the honest truth. My mom used to say animals can hear the angels talking, which is how they know things we don’t.
I know it’s really them just tuning into to physical signs we can’t see, hear, or smell, but I’ve always loved that idea, of our pets eavesdropping on angels.
here here Lachlan.
just tonight I was watching Snick play with his best (dog) friend and talking about how much he loves her. they form relationships between each other and with the people in their lives and every relationship is different. there’s no way anyone could tell me animals don’t love either.
life is grand.
its good to have friends.
Even if that friend is a cantankerous old goose.
…and you can’t tell me that Archangel the Cat didn’t plot and plan to yurk all over my closet while I was at church on Sunday because I didn’t clean his bowl before feeding him.
Thus teaching me service and humility and forgiveness, ’cause after I got done cleaning it up he came and curled up on my lap and purred like a purry thing.
It also taught me to be sure my closet door is closed before I leave.
A valuable lesson indeed, Sr, Mary.
Cats can be a finicky lot, indeed. Nothing humbles a human faster than a feline.
That’s so beautiful. I love animals.