The Saga of Steve and Tony

[tripperfunster]

No, not the superheroes, the geese! If you recall a few months back, we got a 'pair' of African Geese which we named Steve and Tony. link to pics We had had a fox take out some of our chickens and guinea fowl, but he'd never bothered with the geese, most likely because of their size.

Two days ago Tony the goose went missing. These two stick to each other like the slash couple that we named them after, so when one of them didn't show up to get fed that morning I knew it could only be bad news.

I did a search of our property and outlying areas, looking for SOME sort of evidence. Generally, when a fox or owl gets something, there is a shit-ton of feathers left behind, but nothing!

A new family moved in way down the road and I've seen their large-breed dog on our property, but have never seen him chasing the chickens around, so ..? I even drove down to their house, just to see if there was a pile of feathers there, but nope.

And poor Steve has spent the past two days calling and calling for his Tony. It was really quite heartbreaking.

Yesterday afternoon, TONY WAS BACK! He's pretty chewed up (and may not live ... we'll have to wait and see) but ... HE'S ALIVE! I am absolutely gobsmacked and would pay big money to hear his story. If only geese could talk!

Hubby and I caught them (no easy feat) and put them in one of the sheds. We had planned on doing it anyway, when it got cold enough, but I really don't need that dog catching him again, especially when he's already beat up.

I don't know for sure that it was that dog, but ... he's the most likely UNSUB. ;) (for you Criminal Minds peeps). Should I say something to the owners? I don't want my "Hey, welcome to the neighbourhood" to be "Keep your fuckin' dog off my lawn", but I also don't want to worry about my livestock going missing. And obviously, if it WAS the dog, he's not exactly a born killer if Tony survived. My guess is, that the dog took him and way 'playing' with him, a la Mice and Men.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[evilmissbecky.livejournal.com]

Poor Tony! (And Steve!) I'm glad you found him, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that he makes it.

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

Poor geeses! *snuzzes them*

Did Tony come back with an arc reactor?

I... don't think I'd mention anything to the neighbours just yet. Keep them enclosed for now. I hope poor Tony makes it :((((

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

And poor Steve has spent the past two days calling and calling for his Tony. It was really quite heartbreaking.

I am having such wibbles over GEESE. Awwwwww, I'm so glad Tony came back!

[oliversnape.livejournal.com]

I hope Tony is okay dude it's geese H/C in your yard.

I think it's best not to say anything, as you don't have proof, but if you do happen to run into them just tell them that you're concerned because something has been attacking your animals. You know. Concerned. So it doesn't happen to them.

[joanwilder.livejournal.com]

Oh geez, I'd say something, Tripp. Esp if they let him out and don't watch him. He's a dog, so it's only natural for him to chase and 'play' with things, but I'd imagine they'd keep a better lookout if they knew what he might be up to. But then again, that's if they're reasonable folks...for which there's no guarantee, I guess. Hope Tony makes it; I'm glad he made it back home; it's awful to lose an animal and not have any idea what happened, y'know? Maybe the dog is homophobic...?

[theficklepickle.livejournal.com]

I'm with oliversnape; if you see your neighbours anyway, you could maybe 'casually' mention that A Mysterious Something has recently attacked one of your geese and that their dog might not be completely safe out on its own. Depending on how they respond, you'll know whether there's any chance of them acting on your warning or not.

And good wishes to your Tony; I hope he turns out to be as brave and robust as his namesake.

[kath-ballantyne.livejournal.com]

Oh poor Tony. He was kidnapped and had to fight his way home. Did he make a suit?
Now I want to see a geese in the iron man suit.

I hope he survives. Poor thing. And poor Steve.

Our neighbours lost two chickens, two ducks and a goose (and it wasn't a little goose, the foxes were desperate) to foxes recently. We had to go out in sleet to save the ones left. They'd not managed to put them away in time.
Well, one of the chickens survived the attack but died the next night.

Thinking healing thoughts for Tony.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Inorite? It was really heartbreaking hearing Steve calling and calling for him for two days.

He's still kicking this morning, so that bodes well. He seem to have some ... nerve? brain? damage though. He hold his head kind of strange. OH LIFE, Y U IMIATATE FICTION RIGHT NAOW?

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

He's still alive today, so that's good news.

yes, I need to look around for a terrorist cell here in rural Manitoba! ;)

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I honestly would have bet my life savings (little that it is) that Tony would be alive. I've NEVER had an animal (aside from a cat) go missing and then return.

I was so excited and relieved.

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

It is totally a h/c goose fic! Sadly, much less sexy than fandom stuff.

I think, if I said that to the neighbours, they'd say, "Oh ,we're not worried, we have this GIGANTIC goose eating dog!

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Maybe the dog is homophobic...? Ha! I don't know for sure what their genders are. They could be femmslash for all I know.

I think I'll tell them that thier dog was on the highway. (which is right next to us) That way, I seem like the really nice, concerned dog lover, instead of the evil goose loving dog-hater.

If they give a shit about their dog, they'll reign him in. If not ... I don't know. I don't want to lock up my guys year round!

[leoparda.livejournal.com]

I'd advise you more or less in line with what others have said, but... I'm a bit really sick and twisted.

Talk to your neighbors and say that something has been attacking your livestock... then casually mention the next time you hear something you're bringing out the rifle and shooting first, asking questions at the necropsy *evil chuckle*

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

I've never actually seen my neighbours, so the chances of me 'bumping' into them is slim to none.

Not to mention, that I'm sure they wouldn't be afraid of any predators in the area, because they have a GIANT ASS DOG. ;)

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

IRON GOOSE. ;)

It certainly is ironic that it was HIM who got kidnapped. If Steve gets stuck in the ice this winter, I'll know its more than coincidence. ;)

[tripperfunster.livejournal.com]

Ha! Don't think I wasn't tempted!

I'm not really mad at the dog, he seems like an okay boy, but yeah, I can't have him terrorizing my animals.

[theficklepickle.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, yes, good point; I tend to forget that not everybody lives in tiny little houses squished together in city streets!!! (Nobody round here has geese, but there's a guy who has a peacock in his back garden ... )

[leoparda.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't blame the doggie al all, he's just doing what doggies do. The problem is (in the supposition it was him, innocent until proven guilty and all that) he hasn't learned to leave livestock alone.

Maybe you can have the neighbors over with doggie so he can learn farm manners?