The Last Goose

In memory of a very special goose, Cago.

Thank you to all the children and other good people of Harlem Meer who cared and showed kindness to Cago anyway.

 Cago passed away yesterday.

.

Or, perhaps it is more accurate to say she had to be euthanized.

.

"Euthanized" in this case, meaning the ending of suffering that was neither treatable nor curable by medicinal remedy (unlike USDA WS's usual use of the term to cover deliberate slaughter of healthy animals).

.

Cago's condition deteriorated to the point she could no longer stand nor hold her head up.  Water had to be removed from her cage for fear she might drown in it. And with additional loss of vital motor skills, returned the terrors once again.

.

The vet virtually ordered euthanasia as the only merciful end to Cago's suffering. Medicines and force-feeding had failed to bring any improvement in Cago's condition and it was clear that whatever was gripping and bringing Cago down, was terminal.

.

Though retaining composure throughout the phone call from the director of the Wild Bird Fund, I broke down following it.

.

Though fully realizing the severity and graveness of Cago's condition, I maintained some small hope for miracle recovery.  She had, after all, survived so much already and proven herself to be such a resilient, courageous goose.

.

But, there are some things in life that are not survivable -- even for a goose.

.

Though I am told that geese don't usually succumb to viruses, that is not to say they never do -- especially when undergoing periods of extreme stress.  One might reason that losing not only one's family or mate, but seemingly, the entire gene pool might be cause for extreme stress in a goose.

.

In the three months that Cago was at Harlem Meer, in Central Park, she barely saw any geese at all.  And it seems that the few who temporarily flew in from time to time, were quickly harassed out by Geese Police.  

.

Stress upon stress, one might speculate.

.

Cago seemed to have gotten particularly close with the two geese who flew into the Meer some weeks back and actually stayed for a couple of weeks.

.

But, even "Goose Two" and "Goose Three" were eventually chased out.

.

Perhaps it was really that which ultimately marked the beginning of the end for Cago. -- The irretrievable loss of her own kind.

.

Last night, when going to Harlem Meer, I was once again, haunted by ghosts. 

.

But, not just a few ducks or even one goose (Cago), but in fact, many geese.

.

I thought back to only a few years ago, when Harlem Meer in late summer and early fall, was resplendent with at least a hundred geese and as many ducks.

.

The mallards are still there, but the geese, long gone.

.

That there has only been one goose at Harlem Meer during this normal season of plenty (in terms of food supplies) seems to suggest that some of us are observing first hand, the total eradication of a species in a public park.

.

And it is that which is most depressing about this entire series of events, much of which is cataloged in this journal.

.

Currently, I am aware of only two geese in all of Central Park.  And from what I am told by another waterfowl observer, even those two geese typically hide in the mornings to the point she sometimes can't find them.  (Geese Police typically patrols Central Park in the early mornings.)

.

A situation like this would have been unimaginable only a few years ago when geese were plentiful all around Central Park in late summer and early fall.

.

But, in these last few months of patrolling my end of Central Park, I was down to the very last goose.   

.

And now no geese at all.

.

These are indeed, depressing times when it is easy to fall down a hole and believe that everything is hopeless.

.

I feel "ghosts," remorse and profound loss when going to Harlem Meer these days.  

.

But I go anyway. 

.

(There are, after all, still the ducks of which to care about and be concerned.)

.

I hate the USDA WS goose slaughters and I hate the way my city -- including Central Park -- is treating these peaceful, loving and majestic birds.

.

But, I am grateful that despite all the unspeakable horrors, one goose knew kindness and love at Harlem Meer anyway.  The grown men, older women and young children who smiled, rejoiced in and offered treats to Cago everyday while she was there. -- All the people who truly loved her.

.

In the end, none of us could replace what Cago had lost.  We were not and could not be her kind.  It was ultimately not possible to save her.  But, she was afforded sanctuary and kindness anyway.

.

That is what I try to think about and am grateful for now. All the days Cago graced us with her presence and love and all the days good people gave back to her. There was no goal nor plan and there was never guarantee.  It was just nice for the times that were uniquely blessed with sense of sharing and exchange with this special goose.

.

I only mourn now that such time was cut so short.

.

We have to appreciate and celebrate our blessings while we still have them. And sadly, we have to keep fighting for them even if it seems no one is listening.  

.

To every child, woman or man who smiled upon Cago, took her photos or offered her treat during her times at Harlem Meer (despite park rules against the latter), I say, "Thank you." 

.

Thank you for showing that you cared when it was fashionable not to.

.

Thank you  (like the song) for caring anyway.

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uLtyzRgmyI  

.

Those are the memories and inspiration to cherish and hold on to now amongst the ruins of grief, injustice, cruelty and ghosts.  -- PCA

                                  *********

                                                        **********