Henry David is thankful…for the compassionate hearts of others

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Pocket Perspectives

~

~

~

(The Compassionate Brain, 7 week, online series, Monday evenings, 5:00PM PST)

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

Emailed update: Thursday morning from Alexander Lindsay Museum,  rescue hospital
“The goose is still with us. It is emaciated but we found no obvious injuries yesterday. We will do x-rays and more lab work today to try to identify what’s going on. That it was so calm yesterday is an indication of how bad its condition is–geese are normally pretty spirited. Its accession number is 5096, in case you want to call to check on it. We ask you to wait a few days because sometimes we just don’t know the prognosis until things have stabilized. “

Note: “Henry David” is the name of a domestic goose who lived for many years on my aunt’s pond in New Hampshire. (named after Thoreau…left his “owners” and stayed at my aunt’s pond…an act of “civil disobedience” ) (My aunt’s blog and  a beautiful photo of the  NH goose’s pond “95 years old and still writing” )  “Gladys” is  a white plastic lamp that we received as  a gift 35 years ago, but put outside a few years ago. The goose was VERY preoccupied with her.  The “heart sticker” on the sliding door is there to warn people not to walk into it. The plastic rabbit on the other side of the pool was also an object of fascination for the goose.  Kathy has seen/watched some very difficult suffering in people close to her…and done as well as could be done to respond with compassion and to help with those.  The narrative might seem more like a children’s story… Kathy taught young children for 40 years… imprints there.

A special post on Joss’s blog:  “Is it just me….I want gentleness…. “   Link to her lovely post:   “Is it just me….”

The ending thoughts from my  “Henry David”  post on Reflections…some reasoning behind why I created these images and posted them…(Kathy, PP,  has been the recipient of amazing amounts of kindness and compassion throughout the past few years )

 

~
Perhaps we all know how difficult it can be,
to feel injured, hurting or vulnerable…
to have received kindness, care and compassion from others…
~
And then, once we’re back up again…
to pass that kindness, care and compassion along,
with compassion from our own hearts

~
I am so thankful for compassionate hearts

~

Monday, 10/15:To all who expressed interest in Henry David, the goose…

I talked with the Lindsay Wildlife Hospital a little while ago and was told that Henry David, the goose, didn’t make it.  They said that he was very emaciated when he arrived, indicating that he had been ill for some time. The woman explained that wild geese will mask their weakness for a long time, because to show weakness would make them appear vulnerable.  She said that they had been caring for him …. he was in a warm incubator, but that he died during the night.

Thank you to the people at the Lindsay Wildlife Hospital and Animal Rescue Services for their generous efforts to help.~

An added thought: Added the next morning, 10/16, as I ponder options and choices:
As I think about the situation… the goose really wasn’t “safe” from predators…I’m sure geese feel that people are predators, which of course, we have the potential to be.  And as I think more about it, he probably experienced tremendous stress and fear in the process of people trying to help: me trying to get him away from the pool area, being wrapped in a blanket, transported in a truck, being treated inside a rescue facility etc… it’s a bit of a moral/ethical dilemma as I think about it… leave injured wildlife alone doing as well as they can? or take them for help? I guess if they live and can be released, the capture is potentially positive. If not, there’s been a lot of fear and stress for the animal before it dies. Another of life’s questions/choices, one that may not have a clear answer.

About Pocket Perspectives

A blog about shifting perspectives...
This entry was posted in Compassion, Life and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

33 Responses to Henry David is thankful…for the compassionate hearts of others

  1. Crowing Crone Joss says:
    October 11, 2012 at 7:55 am

    oh what a beautiful post. He chose the right house to come to – amazing that creatures sense our energy . We had a goose – Golam – who stayed in our back field for 5 days this Spring while he was healing from an injury to his foot. We so loved having him with us and were equally thrilled when he healed up enough to rejoin the flock.

    Like

    Reply
  2. Cat Forsley says:
    October 11, 2012 at 7:58 am

    Awwwwwwwwwwwwww xo

    Like

    Reply
  3. Don says:
    October 11, 2012 at 9:37 am

    What a beautiful post. Something just tells me that deep within him he saw and knew the place to come.to for help – the energy and attraction of compassion. Love to know what happens to him.

    Like

    Reply
    • Pocket Perspectives says:
      October 11, 2012 at 10:09 am

      It was also a bit interesting that he arrived as I was watching the live streaming of The Compassionate Brain presentation…. that’s with Rick Hanson, the person who inspired many of the past several posts/pages. (Taking in the good, Creating a Sanctuary in the Mind, Plant Flowers Pull Weeds, Right Now, I’m Alright, True to My North Star…interesting timing on Henry David’s part…. : ) ) I just called the rescue center…they said to call back between 2 and 4 this afternoon…so I will. I’m concerned because he had a head twitch, which can be neurological problems…well, we can hope for the best… : )

      Like

      Reply
    • Pocket Perspectives says:
      October 11, 2012 at 2:51 pm

      health update just added to bottom of post …. : )

      Like

      Reply

  4. Pingback: 10/11/12 Henry David, the goose…helping each other with compassionate hearts « Reflections From a Friend

  5. Robin says:
    October 11, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    How wonderful that he found you. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  6. sufilight says:
    October 11, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    This is very touching! Reminds me of a robin who crashed against our kitchen window, and I saw it as I was washing the dishes. It was in shock and Phil my s/o, took loving care of him.

    Like

    Reply
  7. nrhatch says:
    October 11, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    Thanks for sharing, Kathy. Your backyard is lovely . . . no wonder he wanted you to adopt him! 😀

    Like

    Reply
    • Pocket Perspectives says:
      October 11, 2012 at 8:19 pm

      Injured animals have a way of arriving in our backyard… and I typically don’t have a clue what to do about them, but tend to figure it out. We’re very lucky to have a good sized yard with lots of green and open space behind the house and pool. Deer wander by and wild turkeys gobble away up there!

      Like

      Reply
  8. Pocket Perspectives says:
    October 12, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    So many who drop by Pocket Perspectives deeply value happiness and joy…but have also known their fair share of sadness and worry. Please rest assured that there is deep kindness, understanding, acceptance and compassion in all of our hearts…and all of those qualities are happily and freely shared with others… warm wishes to all who stop by here…

    Like

    Reply
  9. sufilight says:
    October 12, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Kathy, forgot to tell you that the robin I mentioned in my comments, flew back to our back garden a few days later, and remembered Phil. Animals do not forget kindness. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  10. Three Well Beings says:
    October 12, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    What a wonderful story! Having an encounter like this is somehow affirming…like the little guy needed you and you were there! I’m also very interested in the DVD you mention, THe Compassionate Heart sounds valuable, too. I hope Henry David continues to heal! Debra

    Like

    Reply
  11. thepetalpusher says:
    October 13, 2012 at 7:19 am

    I’m so grateful to know there are compassionate people in this world. Keep us updated on Henry David.

    Like

    Reply
  12. Crowing Crone Joss says:
    October 13, 2012 at 10:55 am

    I just came back here, seeing that you had posted a link to my site (thank you for that), read through all the comments and found myself in tears. So much gentleness and compassion that we are in need of. All of us, the two legged ones, the four legged ones and the winged ones. I have an adult son who is Schizophrenic and has spent time on the street in years past. i remember him telling me once that a stranger had given him a pack of cigarettes. Such kindness and compassion to show him at a time in his life when he was dirty, unkempt and smelly. We need that, to show all living creatures that we care, that we will help. Blessings to each of you here this day.

    Like

    Reply

  13. Pingback: An update…Henry David, the rescued wild goose | Pocket Perspectives

  14. Pingback: Henry David, the rescued wild goose…an update « Reflections From a Friend

I'd love to "hear" your ideas about this....

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.