Heartbroken Goose Wanders Cemetery Mourning Lost Partner, Finds New Love on Valentine’s Day.

When geese form a pair, their bond lasts for life, and they stay together until one passes away. If a goose loses its mate, the surviving partner often grieves deeply for a long time.

The only exception to this mourning is seen in young geese that lose their partner after their first pairing. In such cases, the survivor may choose a new mate if it’s still early in the mating season.

This was the case for Blossom and Bud, a devoted pair of domestic geese who made their home at the Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa. Their presence brought comfort and joy to visitors, including those mourning loved ones.

Tragically, Blossom lost Bud, leaving her alone and heartbroken. In the months following his death, Blossom wandered the cemetery aimlessly, her grief evident despite the kind efforts of cemetery staff to console her with companionship and treats.

As time passed, Blossom’s sorrow deepened. When mating season arrived, the instinct to find a partner and raise a new brood of goslings rekindled her longing for Bud. This natural drive to bond and nurture only served to reopen the wounds of her loss, making her search for her late partner even more poignant.

Riverside Cemetery became home to a bonded pair of domestic geese named Blossom and Bud.

“This is the first spring Blossom has been without a partner,” shared Dorie Tammen, general manager at Riverside Cemetery, in an interview with The Dodo. “She’s lonely and heartbroken. She needs a companion.”

Touched by Blossom’s longing and sorrow, the cemetery staff felt compelled to help.

Although they knew nothing could replace Bud, the staff recognized Blossom’s capacity for love and wanted to help her find a new companion. Tammen, one of the employees, came up with the idea of posting a personal ad to find Blossom a suitable mate.

Blossom’s instinctual drive to find a mate has reignited her grief, causing her to continue searching for her late partner.

Well, guess what? It didn’t take long before someone reached out!

“His name is Frankie,” Tammen said. “They described him as a lonely, widowed male goose!”