A Brief Bond Between Species

We found him struggling near the edge of the pond. 
His neck trapped between 2 branches of a downed Cottonwood limb. 

Without a thought, #1 waded into the water to release the trapped bird.
Once free, the little goose teeter- tottered, while flapping his wings furiously. Only to collapse. Then get up, move a few feet, flap, then fall.  
After a sip of water he’d try again and again. 

It didn’t look good, but he wasn’t going to die alone. 
Here’s a bird  who’d never been alone in his entire life.  
Always part of a big boisterous batch of geese. 
I told him he was the most handsome and the bravest snow goose ever.  
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay with you.”

Finally, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
I guess if I were dying alone, a little snow goose standing by would make all the difference.