Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa is a sanctuary for resting souls and many animals. Geese, swans, ducks and migrating birds have resided at the cemetery lake almost since the inception of the cemetery. It is a place of comfort for folks to come and sit to contemplate life, and enjoy the friendly wildlife. Blossom the goose has lived there for years, first with her former mate: Bud. When Bud was found dead one morning, Blossom went into deep grieving. Meanwhile, Frankie the Gander lived with Deb and Randy Hoyt on their animal sanctuary farm with his mate, Gretel. Gretel was killed while attending to her nest one night, Frankie was alone and grieving.
Geese mate for life, so Frankie and Blossom's 'humans' stepped up to help them find each other. Dorie, the manager of Riverside, put an 'Attractive Female Widowed
Goose Looking for Mate' ad on the internet. The result was two lonely geese finding each other - and beginning a new life together. Steve Hartman of CBS
News picked up Frankie and Blossom's story for the evening news - and now the whole world knows about these lovebirds - and their very special story. This
heartwarming tale will renew your faith in people and the resilience of all souls who grieve - and then find hope, and love.
