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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 19, 2015 | 6 Spotlight his is a story about the inspirational work done by the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) and the Oakville Fire Department. I am writing this letter because I would like everyone to know the extent these people will go to in order to rescue a dying creature. I work as a personal trainer at The Oakville Club on Water Street, overlooking the Sixteen Mile Creek. I start at 6 a.m., every weekday. At dawn, last Friday, I noticed a lone Canada Goose seemingly at rest on the ice, about 20 feet from the east bank, in front of the Oakville Yacht Squadron clubhouse. It was -20C that morning. I was immediately concerned because last winter I witnessed a similar situation, with, unfortunately, a dead goose. I had to watch all winter as that little body just withered away. This year, the goose was still alive, occasionally lifting its head. I was very upset and kept a watch on it all morning. When my client, Cari MacLean, arrived for her noon session, we decided together to do something about it. I called the Town of Oakville and explained the situation. The operator transferred me to the humane society. I explained again. The operator took my cellphone number. Twenty minutes later, Cari and I watched as the humane society's white-panel truck arrived. The driver called me and I detailed to him the exact location of the goose from our vantage point of the upper story windows of the OC Fitness Centre. He walked to the edge of the creek with a long-handled net. Sadly, he reported to us that he wouldn't be able to reach it, and we agreed that it wasn't safe for him to attempt to get onto the ice. Cari and I suggested that he call the Fire Department to help. His manager approved. Fifteen minutes later, there were re ghters standing with him. Cari and I waved vigorously from the win- "Connected to your Community" Fire ghters and OMHS attempt rescue of goose T Letter to the Editor dows. They waved back. One of the re ghters climbed down onto the ice and saved the still-living goose. We never found out what happened to the goose after that. We only know for certain that it did not freeze to death, alone and hurt. Cari and I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you -- the Oakville organizations and the Oakville people who care enough... enough to save one poor dying goose. Now, that is a Valentine's Day gift we will never forget. Karen Finnell, Oakville Happy ending Oakville Fire and the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) were on scene at Oakville Harbour Friday after receiving a call about a goose caught in the ice. Oakville Fire says as crews approached the bird, the goose became nervous, freed itself and ew away -- leaving only a few feathers behind. The bird was judged to have survived its experience, somewhat shaken, but uninjured. -- with les from John Bkila, Oakville Beaver Oakville re crews from Pump 231 were called by the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) Friday after receiving a report of a Canada goose frozen in the ice at Oakville Harbour. Fire ghters used their cold water/ice rescue suits to head out onto the ice to investigate. The startled goose nally became dislodged and immediately ew away upon discovering its new-found freedom. | photos by Andrew Collins - special to the Beaver Volume 53 | Number 12 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. NEIL OLIVER Vice ­President and Group Publisher DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Halton Region Editor in Chief Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Advertising Department (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4444 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 DANIEL BAIRD Director of Advertising ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor