Brothers Campfire Gives A Tearful Farewell to a Friend

Hello, Benjamin from Brother’s Campfire here.

Things have taken a sad turn for me. Armando, the swashbuckling alpha goose of backyard, had his fateful end the other day. After consulting several veterinarians, a biologist, a doctor, and Colorado State University, I determined that he had to be put down.

When I first got Armando, I had to separate him as he was pecking all of the ducks. He did not like the arrangement and intuitively changed his behavior.

Armando

I purchased Armando to be a watchdog of sorts for our back yard and he lived up to it. His good habits outweighed the bad and the 13 other birds followed his lead.

Any time I had to examine a bird, I was glad I had a good report with Armando as he would attack anything that got in the way of his girls.

Armondo, Ready To Wage War

Unfortunately, this boldness caught up with him as he tried to attack the neighbor’s dog, who outweighed him by about 50 pounds.

For the sake of my more sensitive readers, I will spare the specifics.

We were devastated by this turn of events. This was unexpected, and I had plans for Armando to be a companion for Trumpet, my female goose.

I will miss my friend Armando.

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. He was supposed to be the next generation of geese at Willow Manor.

I am so done with 2020.

Author: Benjamin

Benjamin Thiel is a husband, father, correctional professional and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire.

95 thoughts on “Brothers Campfire Gives A Tearful Farewell to a Friend

  1. herbthiel says:

    “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” It is a sign of your character that you take such good care of your animals and go to the great lengths you did. Armando died as a hero.

    Reply
  2. Hannah Calintina says:

    Me too I’m ready for 2020 to be over!!😭
    I’m sorry.😔

    Reply
  3. Beverly says:

    Again, I am so sorry. It has been heavy on my mind since you told me, nephew. I am grieving with you. I completely agree with everything my brother just said. He was truly a hero and your friend. Take care…

    Reply
  4. Basil René says:

    Deepest condolences. It’s always hard to lose a friend. Just remember that grief is love with no where to go and that love will find it’s way to another eventually and will ease the pain.

    Reply
      1. Basil René says:

        On a different note, thank you for taking the time to reply to each and every comment on your blog. A lot of people don’t do that. Goes to show how compassionate a person you are. Stay well. Stay safe.

        Reply
        1. Benjamin says:

          Basil, I want to genuinely connect with folks. I appreciate the compliments very much. If you need something, let me know.

          Reply
  5. Paquerite says:

    Hello Benjamin,
    I feel sorry for you because you lose a friend.
    A being you could count on, a unique relationship that is priceless.
    I wish you to get better and that this sorrow turns into a happy and gracious memory for all the good times you have lived together.
    Corinne

    Reply
    1. Benjamin says:

      I was upset to be sure. I get attached to my birds sometimes. He was like a pet dog to me.

      Reply
  6. kagould17 says:

    Condolences for your loss. Our son and his wife lost a favourite bunny over the holidays. Even we shed a tear. Stay well. Allan

    Reply
  7. Robyn says:

    I am so sorry. Poor Armando! Thinking of you during this time of loss.

    Reply
      1. cookingflip says:

        I hope this Scripture passage comforts your family, bro, especially v.21.
        Romans 8.19-21
        19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 🦢🦢

        Reply
    1. Benjamin says:

      And he died like he lived. When I went out to get him, he ran interference to keep me away from his ladies, despite being mortally wounded. Thank you Salsa!

      Reply
  8. Petra says:

    We’re all done with 2020! Just had the second earthquake in this week here today and it was quite bad across the border in Croatia. My condolences for your feathery friend.

    Reply
      1. Petra says:

        Yes, it wasn’t bad here, just scary. A 100 km away there was a lot of damage and even some lives lost.

        Reply
  9. Mariana Gouveia says:

    Oh, sinto muito pelo Armando! Que o ano comece melhor! Feliz Ano Novo!

    Reply
  10. Lia says:

    Oh my. I am so so sorry for your loss… it must have been very traumatic. Clearly you cared for him so lovingly and did all you could. He died a warrior’s death… brave bird. What a lovely way you wrote about him. I’m sure he’s smiling from goose heaven. Sending lots of love to you and your family xoxoxo

    Reply
    1. Benjamin says:

      Lia, he died doing what boy geese do. He had his beak torn off and stared death in the eye. Thank you for your heartfelt words!

      Reply
      1. Lia says:

        Woah… that is graphic. I’m very sorry to hear it. You’re welcome.

        Reply
      2. Lia says:

        It’s okay. I’m one of those “more sensitive readers”… and it was clear from the photo what had likely happened. Sincere condolences 💛

        Reply
    1. Benjamin says:

      It was tough to put him down. I was really attached to him. Thank you for stopping by. 😟

      Reply

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