Sunday, April 22, 2012

Gander

Hey All,     Relationships exist in many forms in our lives.  The ones that we have with our pets are unique themselves and our pets are as unique with their "personalities" as we are.  They may be pets, but, are often considered by many us as part of the "family".  For some people..................the are the only family they have.
        Mrs Varga was in her mid-sixties or so in 1988.   She lived alone on her old family farm near Yardley with an assortment of ducks, chickens and a goose that she called Gander.  The farm buildings were all in a state of disrepair............................ everything was antiquated and needed something or another.  Mrs Varga didn't have the funds needed to make these repairs, so at times I would make necessary adjustments to her converted coal furnace or fix faucets as  needed.  She was a talkative old girl..................I suppose there is only so much you can say to goose.  It took her a little while to warm up to us, but, I think Charlie, who 5 years old at the time, had more influence over that than I did. She had no family and refused offers from real estate developers to sell her homestead.
        I met Mrs Varga when I was searching for a place to board my horse.  I had owned a couple of horses at different times back then.  This particular horse  was a registered 7 year old paint named Tiko.  He was gelding and was one easiest to get along with. There were no quarters for Tiko at the farm,  so I agreed to construct one at no cost to Mrs Varga if she would rent space to me to board Tiko in her pasture................. we had come to terms.  I commenced to  building Tiko a shelter.................we also got acquainted with Gander.  He was not like any pet I had experience with.......................he was the farm alarm, announcing the presence of anyone coming down the long lane to the farm house.  He was a constant companion who would talk back with Mrs Varga, as if he understood everything she said...........................sometimes he would even argue with her and she..................with him.  Gander was also a dining companion.....................when we were invited to have lunch, Mrs Varga would shoo Gander off the kitchen table so she could set down our meal.   He also slept....................in the bedroom.
         One day when I went to the farm to feed and water Tiko.......Gander announced our arrival with a series of long drawn out honking.  Mrs Varga met us in the barnyard and had to scold Gander to make him quiet down.  He wasn't very fond of this and he "muttered" as if under his breath, his tail end wiggling with indignation.  Gander could be a bit of bully and at times he would stalk Charlie who was about the same size as this goose...............pecking at his clothes or if Charlie wasn't careful..............his fingers.  Today was no exception and I kept an eye on them as I talked with Mrs Varga...................that goose was going to establish a pecking order and Mrs Varga scolded him again as his head snaked back and forth, waddling after Charlie.  I put out my hand and guided Charlie so that he was behind me and I kept shifting my body so that I was always between them............................that goose was pretty smart though, he eyed Charlie through the space of  my legs and shot his head forward.   Instincts are an amazing thing..................as if on their own,  my knees slammed together and caught that goose by the head, trapping him there.  He complained with loud squalks...................beating his wings and trying to get free.  I thought that Mrs Varga was going to angry........................but she roared with laughter. "That will teach you Gander!  Now you leave him alone!"   she told him.  I released my hold and he retreated about 5 feet away........................muttering and then flapped his wings and settled back at safe distance.....................he never came closer than 5 feet or so from that day forward.
         Mrs Varga, Gander and Tiko will always be kindly etched in my memory.  When I go back to those days, I remember to be thankful for them.....................they helped me to understand how important all relationships can be.  I know that each of us has had experiences that are unique to us......................I hope that yours warm your heart.
             Until next time.............................................God Bless.