My Urban Sherpa

Canada Geese in Harlem Meer

Despite efforts of the NYC Parks Department to remove (humanely with Border Collies), the Canada geese from Harlem Meer in Central Park last week, a few remain. And more will come. Perhaps we can all be friends, or perhaps the Parks Department should allow NYC residents with Portuguese Water Dogs to have a go at the problem.

Canada Geese do make a lot of droppings that are a nuisance. I have had a resident couple raise offspring in the pond at my house for years, and have stepped in and cleaned up, a lot of these. But there is more good than bad in the geese for me. I like their confidence, joie de vivre and adaptability.

Our goose couple, Gus and Gladys, were ideal pets. They were free to come and go. And they did; arriving early each spring to build their nest, raise their young, and leaving by fall. They cared for themselves, fed themselves and entertained themselves. They were excellent watch guards, honking wildly at incoming cars. And they engaged with us on our schedule, taking little snacks of fish feed and corn from our hands when we offered it. Occasionally, Gus would come to the patio door and tap on the glass with his beak, but mostly we admired each other at a distance.

Sadly, the geese at my pond were no match for our Portuguese Water Dog, Daisy. So our pond is now goose free. Daisy is four. These former residents have moved to a local gentle stream, next to a small playground. They still come and feed out of my hand. But they have not tamed to people in general. The maintenance worker for the town noted that the geese only come to me, and that when I drive by, they honk wildly.

Four years ago when we met Daisy, we traded, unknowingly, a resident pond patroller, and lost a little contact with nature. New Yorkers are awed by real nature, as in the media fascination with Lola and Pale Male. Maybe the arrival of the Canada Geese each spring is something to marvel at.