I had a big white Embden goose for 11 years untill I had to put her down last summer to a crippling leg condition.
The Embden are usually the breed of choice for fois gras. They are big birds and very heavy. Ultimately while she could have lived much longer ( geese can average 15–20 yrs. ) her genetics caused her legs to give out on her heavy ( 26 lb. ) body.
I liked to think that Babby goose was the poster goose for her fellow fois gras friends, everyone loved her. She was the seetest girl ever, liked to nap on blankets in the sunshine with me, loved to play with my jewelry.
I spent a ton of money on her condition, and traveled with her to an exotic vet weekly for months.
The last months of her life I carried her to her swimming pool, moved her around all day from sun to shade to swimming. Carried her into the barn at night and held her in my arms when she was euthanized.
I was honored to give her a happy goose life and her remaining friends get the best as well. She was a delight to have, R.I.P. Babby! :-(