Jenn and Elizabeth flew in Wednesday afternoon and
spent a couple of days at the sanctuary. Then we all
hopped into a rented Dodge Caravan SXT and began our
drive south at 1:00 a.m. Friday morning. Jenn and I
took turns driving, switching out every 2 hours. The
girls, Isabel and Elizabeth sat in the backseats and
behind them was a big cage with 4 geese and 2 pet
carriers with ducks inside.
We
adopted Jetti, Joop! and Jack Frost partway through
the journey. After that, we continued on to TN with
Mac, Fanny and Dutch. Everyone did very well on the
trip: kids, geese and ducks! We took brief rests
every two hours and changed out the blankets in the
pet carriers/cages every 2 hours and gave everyone
water and sprinkled a little food in their water.
24
hours after starting our journey, we arrived at the
Garey home with our precious cargo. They had a giant
12 x 12 foot chain link pen set up in their garage
for Mac & Fanny and a little fenced in area right
next to it for Dutchy.
Once everyone was settled, we tucked ourselves into
bed and woke up the following morning for the big
introduction!
This is Mac, Fanny and Dutch. Isabel (left) and
Elizabeth (right) are reassuring them as the Garey
flock came running up to the other side of the chain
link fence. We let them see each other for a few
minutes before letting the new flock members through
the gate.
Then we opened the gate and let Mac & Fanny through
first. Lynyrd, Skynyrd and Ms. Donald (all China
geese) were the most intrigued by their new
guests--especially Mac. There was no fighting at
all. They used their words to figure it all out.
Then we let Dutchy out and boy was he happy to see
his wonderful new home!
I guess Skynyrd wasn't getting enough attention, so
he decided he wanted to sit near Daddy Mike on the
bench.
Meanwhile, Mac said hello to Kristina.
Skynyrd and Isabel had a discussion about catching
clams and putting them in a bucket.
Catching clams is hard work, so Isabel and Skynyrd
stop for a healthy watermelon and cantaloupe lunch.
After that, Elizabeth, Isabel and Skynyrd went for a
boat ride. Skynyrd cleared the way by honking!
What a FANTASTIC day!
