Goosey the Gander Follows Others When They Wander

Motorcyclists, horseback riders and four-wheelers know who Goosey the goose is--the bird flying next to them.

The young Canada goose tends to follow Ed and Sherry Becker around on foot when they work in the barn or the corrals of their 80-acre farm. But once the goose sees them--or anybody else--climb into the saddle or behind the wheel it’s time to take to the air.

“It’s so much fun to get on that motorcycle and watch this goose fly,” Ed Becker said after a recent high-speed ride with his goose. “He’s so close his wings are touching your hat.”

But not everyone feels the same way about Goosey, who was raised by hand by the Beckers.

Local school bus driver Manfred Tempero complained that as he made his morning rounds one day he had to hit the brakes repeatedly when Goosey kept landing in front of his bus.

After a while Tempero was behind schedule and calling for help on his citizens band radio.

Sherry Becker eventually arrived and coaxed the goose back home.