Today we said goodbye to our wonderful Jo. After such a wonderful time away in the Isle of man we returned knowing he was unwell. Initially we thought it was arthritis again and infact had been giving him the medicine which had worked so well previously, but when we took him to the vet it was confirmed it was a mental problem, caused by anything from a stroke or a tumour. His legs were strong, as was his wings but his mind was suffering some sort of dementia.
As he lay on the vet's table looking weak and dishevelled I thought of how he had always been so clean and elegant, constantly pruning himself in order to maintain his majestic appearance. The photograph below illustrates this perfectly!
He would have been mortified with how things had worked out and so we felt it was the right thing to do, guided by the advice from our vet to allow him a release from the place where he was.
Jon stroked his neck, I stroked his chest and as the medicine worked Jo closed his eyes and went to sleep.
“How do geese know when to fly to the sun?
Who tells them the seasons?
How do we, humans know when it is time to move on?
As with the migrant birds, so surely with us,
there is a voice within if only we would listen to it,
that tells us certainly when to go forth into the unknown.”
Who tells them the seasons?
How do we, humans know when it is time to move on?
As with the migrant birds, so surely with us,
there is a voice within if only we would listen to it,
that tells us certainly when to go forth into the unknown.”
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Some would say he's just a duck but Jo was something special. Sending you my love and Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSue
Jo was a goose Sue xxxx Definately something special though! Thanks so much! Dxxx
ReplyDeleteOh Denise, I am so, so sorry - I knew you were worried about him, but I had no idea he was this ill. You did the right thing by him, hon. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking today, we haven't heard from you lately, but I am sorry it such a sad post. It is always the hardest decision and the kindest that we can make for our beloved animal family. XX
ReplyDeletePoor Jo. I'm sure he'd have thanked you if he's been able to. I'm crying with you Denise.
ReplyDeleteA hard decision to make but the kindest and the best. Cherish the memories!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad homecoming Denise - so sorry - you are going to miss him around the place for one thing is sure, there has never been a silent goose.
ReplyDeleteShrinky,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much hun - came as a surprise to us the mental bit but if was best for him as you say! Bless, he was a lovely boy! Dxx
Kath,
yes what with going away etc but I just wanted to mention this as Jo was known & loved by so many! xxxx
Dragonstar
Yes, there have been tears today I can tell you but now I feel all is at peace. This morning I made the resolution that by the end of the day I wanted Jo to be in a better place, be it drugged with anti-biotics or at peace - the decision was made when the vet spoke to us. xxx
Jabblog
You have said it all - we did what we did because we loved him and yes indeed we will cherish the memories!
Weaver
ReplyDeletehe knew our vehicles and would honk us when we parked up on the drive. He even knew our motorbike! A clever chap for sure! xxx
Oh poor Jo. :(
ReplyDeleteAkelamalu
ReplyDeleteYes ideed. Mental illness takes many unsuspecting souls and Jo was one of the innocent! May we receive peace knowing he is now running free from the deathly grip of an unforgiving illness. He was loved to the end and our love will remain as we remember the many smiles he brought along our way!
A pity to hear, but the photo was a marvel!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad post but a blessing to have released him from any pain he may have suffered.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless, CJ xx
Only someone as special as Jo could make me cry at work. xx
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that my thoughts are with you xx
ReplyDeleteOh, losing an animal that you have come to love is like losing a child. I'm so sorry and send my condolences.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Jo. He was indeed an elegant goose and looked as though he was the Lord of the Manor. So much better to let them go with dignity. I know you will miss him.
ReplyDeleteRunE
ReplyDeleteThe photograph is indeed awesome - all down to the subject matter as ever. Thanks Dxx
Chrystal,
Yes, we did what was best for Jo xx
tpals,
Yes there have been many many tears for Jo, lovely boy he was!xx
Cherrypie,
Thanks so much, it is good to know we are supported.xxx
Leslie,
Indeed! He was our special boy! xxx
Chris,
Yes, dignity for Lord of the Manor - he deserved it! Thanks Dxx
I'm sorry for your loss. This is a decision all pet owners face. I'm dreading the day...
ReplyDeleteBJ
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! All pet owners know where we came from and indeed a decision which was made with one individual at the centre of everything, Jo. xxx
Sweetest dreams, Jo. God bless you and your family during this difficult, good-bye time.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, SparkleFarkle~~~~~~*
How very sweet. When I was a kid my mom had geese, so I know how each has such a distinct personality. She was lucky to have such a loving family :)
ReplyDeleteHood Photo Blog
Such a lovely post and tribute to Jo! I know you will miss her.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I am so sorry for your sadness, but thank you for the wonderful words of Kubler-Ross.
ReplyDeletevery very sad but of course you had to make the right decision.
ReplyDeletelovely to see you in the IOM on Jane's facebook pages.
I haven't had an animal in years; too hard. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteA VIG indeed. It's always sad to hear about a great friend losing his life. Sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteHe looks very elegant in the second photo. Too bad he has to go, sorry for the loss.
ReplyDeleteABC Wednesday~V
A difficult decision, for sure. I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteLove the beautiful, brilliant white plumage.
ReplyDeletewow! A pet goose... I'm going to ask my dad.
ReplyDeleteLove is what I felt most when reading this piece. Love. That's what you'll remember. Jo was a lucky duck. :) And you are lucky humans.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry to hear you had to say goodbye to Jo! What a magnificent bird he was! And a VIP for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo. What a character he seems to have been!
So sorry to hear about Jo, but he's in a better place now.
ReplyDeleteOh, Denise, so sorry about Jo! I know how you loved him! But you guys were loving by giving him the relief he needed. Now he's in his geese heaven among other fellow friends. And I bet his lovely energy will always be around.
ReplyDeleteKisses and soothing love from us.
Joe was a beautiful bird. I'm sure he will be missed by all those who knew him. Having the courage to let a pet go is the hardest thing I've ever done. Unfortunately I've had to do it with 2 dogs and one kitten. Sending peaceful thoughts your way.
ReplyDeletesad that jo had to go...
ReplyDeletemay he be happy in goose heaven!
sad v post...
ReplyDeletesorry for your lose.
smiles!
here is mine:
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/v-is-4-victims-secrets-r-revealed-under-hidden-video-camera/
Oh I'm so sorry Denise. I think all of us who have had pets and had to say goodbye will feel your sadness. x
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about Joe he truly was a magnificent bird.
ReplyDeleteHe lived with love and compassion and passed on the same way, with his loving owners by his side.
God bless Joe the magnificent Goose.
Sincere condolences to you both Denise,
Di.xxx
How very sad ! you must miss him terribly now. But it was very good that you let him go in peace and without suffering. Fortunately time heals the pain, but he will always be in your heart.
ReplyDeleteHe was so beautiful! I am sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy to get so attached to an animal, but I do it as much as anyone else! Sad for you :(
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss! Pets are our children, and my heart breaks for you!
ReplyDeleteAwww...so sorry for your loss. It's obvious Jo was indeed a VIP! Precious photos.
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your loss. The picture of him preening is awesome. Have a great day!
Sherrie
Sherrie's Stuff
http://sherrie-plummer.blogspot.com/2010/06/alphabe-thursday_17.html
sad to see a loved family pet leave the family home. We'll all miss your stories about Jo.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. Beautiful pictures and a lovely V post
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your beloved gander. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeletePlease accept my condolences.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird he was! I can understand that you loved him. I feel for you because the only pet I had as a child was actually a huge duck - who followed me around everywhere I went at home.
Best wishes
Anna
Anna's V-word
Oh Denise, I am so sorry. You must miss him so much!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about Jo. It's so hard but there comes a time when we just know it's the best thing to let them go. That was a lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss. He looks like he was a magnificent friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your private and painful experience. Even through your tears, your prose is beautiful and so moving.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and poignant post. Thank you so much for sharing. I've never seen such a magnificent gander. No wonder Jo was so loved. I can imagine how much you miss him. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAnd you've told this wonderful story so beautifully and elegantly just as Jo is and was.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird he was.
Thank you for sharing a very special moment of your life with us by way of Jo's story.
Elisabeth, thank you for linking to Alphabe-Thursday this week.
ReplyDeleteYour post is so moving.
What a lovely eulogy for an obviously dear member of your heart.
The poem and the picture moved me to tears.
Sending a hug your way and an
A+ for this post.
Thank you.
Oh! Jo was a handsome gander! I love the second photo of him. sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteBlessings & Aloha!
oh my goodness. I actually cried at this post. I have a HUGE fondness for geese and there isn't a day I do not go out and say hello to these wonderful little critters. I have done this as long as I can remember. They have more personality than all my dog and cat put together. They make me laugh and helped soothe me when I'm feeling sad. I would always go out and sit by the lakes and they would always know when I'm not well and come to make me and make me feel better. To read of your loss makes me sad and I sort of understand even though I have not really had one as a pet of my own. But I'm so relieved you were all there to see him for his final restful sleep. I will remember him with a few words of my own, I promise. Be well, my friend. Hugs♥
ReplyDeletex
ReplyDeleteDon't know what happened above Denise. What I meant to say was that I had just read your tribute to your lovely Jo and found it very moving. He was certainly a very handsome fellow and obviously had a wonderful life with you. It's so hard to let go though even though you know it is time. A x
ReplyDeleteThanks so very much for all of the lovely comments. It is a week since Jo went to sleep and I do miss his little tapping on the window when he wanted his bread - but I know he is at peace.
ReplyDeleteDxxx
Poor goose! What a pity ...
ReplyDeleteSt Christophe village seems very pretty;
I'm crying now, reading that poem :::(
ReplyDelete