Cemetery worker posted ad about 'lonely, widowed goose' wanting a life partner — one reply changed everything
Like humans, even animals understand love, relationships and bonding. Even they feel pain from separation and grief from a loved one’s death. A goose named Blossom from the Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa, was lonely and heartbroken when her partner goose, Bud, passed away, per CBS News. Dorie Tammen, general manager of the cemetery, noticed the grief and pain in the bird and decided to set up an ad in search of a compatible partner. The widowed goose’s ad made quite the impression on the internet, earning her love and support but one reply changed everything.
Bud passed away in August 2022 and ever since, Blossom seemed to be in despair. Over several posts on Facebook, the manager shared how she kept to herself, looked around in silence and seemed off. According to How Stuff Works, geese particularly have an intact bond with their mates. Known for their loyalty, the birds mate for life, raising a family of their own and being inseparable for years. Like human relationships, there is sacrifice, love, long-term hopes and more involved in the relationship of geese. While this is done for logical reasons like better access to resources, identity and so on, it also holds its abstract importance.
When Bud passed away, Blossom felt the pain in her heart visibly. She had a strange behavior, and Tammen noticed it all. A few months later, she decided to post a personal ad in hopes of finding a suitor for Blossom. It was going to be an important spot to fill, so she had to look for perfect compatibility. In the ad, she shared a picture of Blossom, standing beside a gravestone and wrote, “Lonely, widowed domestic goose seeks life partner for companionship and occasional shenanigans.” Tammen made the ad as honest and transparent as possible.
She also made a plea on behalf of the goose. “Come share life with me at Riverside Cemetery, where you'll enjoy swimming in the lovely lake, good food, numerous friends and peeking in the door of the office building at the strange but kind humans there, who feed us lots of goodies. I'm youthful, adventurous and lively, and I've been told I'm beautiful,” she wrote. The post received much interaction since, but one response made all the difference. Tammen was contacted by Deb and Randy Hoyt, owners of a goose named Frankie, who also happened to be a widower. He shared the same pain as Blossom and his owners were also on the lookout for a companion for him.
On Valentine’s Day of 2023, Frankie was dropped off at the cemetery for a date with Blossom. In a post, Tammen revealed that when Frankie was let out in front of Blossom, something happened. “She was excited and flapped her wings and called out,” the post read. However, the other goose took his time, trying to comprehend the situation. “But the two of them started walking around in a bit of a tizzy and even went out the main gate and across the street. Since then, they've been together as Frankie explores his new home. Maybe love is beginning to blossom!” she remarked.
The posts that followed after a day or two included Blossom and Frankie healing, loving, exploring and enjoying with each other. They found just the companionship they’d been looking for! With swims, meet and greets and as promised, peeking in doors, the duo have newfound love that’s here to stay!”