Retired farmer fears loss of beloved pet goose to migration

[This photo shows a Canada goose gosling that looks similar to the one raised by a retired turkey farmer in Alberta. Mircea Costina/Rex Features/The Canadian Press]

Sometimes a man’s best friend has two legs instead of four.

Such is the case for Peter Furgala, who adopted a baby Canada goose when she was a few days old and has been caring for her ever since.

Furgula recently told CTV that he decided to adopt the gosling he calls Younda after a neighbour found her abandoned by the side of the road.

Today, Furgula and Younda spend their afternoons hanging out on the retired farmer’s turkey farm near Evansburg, Alta, 107 kilometres west of Edmonton. The growing goose has become his “buddy,” similar to the companionship that comes with having a cat or a dog.

According to Furgula, their favourite activity is racing. He scoots around the farm on his ATV as Younda takes to the air and flies along beside him.

But unlike regular pets, Younda is a migratory animal, and Furgala is concerned that if geese passing by the farm this autumn come into contact with Younda, she may decide to fly south for the winter.

In a CTV News interview, Furgala can be seen wiping tears from his eyes as he contemplates the possibility of his beloved pet leaving.

“I don’t want to lose her, she’s special to me,” he says before apologizing for his tears.

While it pains him to think of her departure, Furgala says he won’t force Younda to stay, though he hopes that she will. He’s even outfitted her coop with heaters to ensure she’ll be cosy and warm all winter long if she chooses to stay.