T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Riverside Cemetery’s General Manager Dorie Tammen (pictured) is interested in finding a female domestic goose to be a companion for Goosey Goose, a 17-year-old waterfowl who has lived at the cemetery for over three years. His partner, Lucky, passed away in recent weeks, leading to the bird to become lonely.

Wanted: domestic female goose. Should be personable with humans and birds alike, and enjoy long walks through the cemetery and gliding across Lake Woodmere.

If Goosey Goose, a 17-year-old goose who has resided at Riverside Cemetery since July 2014, could write a personal ad, that is most likely what it would say.

The goose, who has become something of a local celebrity, spends his days enjoying the scenic surroundings of the cemetery. Until recently, his close circle of friends had included fellow geese: Brownie, Miss Goose and Lucky. However, Lucky lost her battle with cancer last month. Since that time, says Riverside Cemetery General Manager Dorie Tammen, Goosey Goose has been depressed.

“Ever since we lost Lucky, Goosey Goose’s best girlfriend, he’s been lonely. We’d like to play matchmaker for him, and find him a partner,” she said.

The cemetery is interested in having a female domestic goose be donated to the grounds, in hopes of providing Goosey Goose with some companionship.

“If you have a female goose in need of a good home and a gentlemanly boyfriend, please let us know,” Tammen said.

Goosey Goose’s previous owner, Nancy Adams of rural Melbourne, visits him regularly. She is currently at work on a children’s book entitled “The Golden Goose of Riverside” which will chronicle the goose’s life story. The bird was brought to live at the cemetery after his parents and brother passed away.

“Very soon after the mother died in December 2013, Goosey Goose’s behavior changed,” Adams said in a previous interview with the T-R. “He would sit next to my truck to see his reflection on the side. So we put up mirrors on trees, plus buckets of water, to keep him company.”

Adams and her husband, Jeff Braddock, then got in touch with Riverside Cemetery to see whether or not their beloved family pet could relocate to the cemetery’s pond, Lake Woodmere. On July 21, 2014, the goose was brought to the cemetery. Since that time, he has bonded with the other waterfowl and befriended the cemetery’s staff and visitors.

“When Lucky was alive they would all four spend time together, but now Goosey Goose spends a lot more time alone and sits outside our office,” Tammen added.

If anyone is interested in donating a goose, contact the cemetery at (641) 753-7891.

“We think he knows our plans because he’s very busy preening his feathers in preparation,” Tammen said.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com