Rescue & Adoptions

Past Featured Rescues

Brady and Autumn

Rescued from dangerous floodwaters that carried him away from his home, Brady arrived at Farm Sanctuary in January of 1998. Ten months later, Autumn arrived, grateful to have found a safe, loving home after being abandoned at a county fairground. The two started spending time together immediately, enjoying each other's companionship and a sense of belonging for the first time in their lives. Soon they became inseparable, and since then, they have enjoyed sanctuary life together as a couple.

Each morning, after a restful night's sleep in their warm hutch, Autumn and Brady waddle happily down to the pond together. On hot days, especially, they love to slip into the cool water and dunk their heads under the surface. Rain or shine, though, they spend most of each day swimming, and playing games of chase with the other geese and ducks. Brady makes it a point to be seen with Autumn. He is always paddling or walking just a step behind her, ready to come to her aid if need be, and proud to be her mate.

As dusk settles on the farm each evening, Autumn and Brady walk up the soft dirt hill from the pond to their hutch. Usually sleepy from a long day spent carousing with friends, they pick out a cozy corner inside the hutch and eagerly plop down next to each other in a warm pile of straw. Recognizing Autumn and Brady's unique and exclusive relationship, the other geese allow them plenty of space for themselves. The pair ends each day just as they began it, content with life, grateful for sanctuary, and devoted to one another.

Of course, there are those who would deny that animals like Autumn and Brady have awareness and feeling. Thankfully, there are also those who think otherwise, who believe animals may, in some respects, be more deeply aware of the world and more sensitive to joy and loss even than human beings. We should never doubt that animals have much to teach us. Perhaps in this case, as witnesses to Autumn and Brady's care and concern for one another, we can all learn a thing or two about love.