On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:54:34 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

Up at Union Steamship Marina on Bowen Island (Howe Sound, BC) they
keep a pet swan. Much classier bird than a dirty poop-pumping goose,
IMO. Also unlikely to attract freeloading room mates, unless you have
wild swans in your area.

A PO'd goose *can* be formidable, I've seen them flap and hiss a
medium size dog into submission. Don't know whether a swan would be as
aggressive or protective, but a swan adds a touch of class while a
goose adds a pile of poo.

Some corporate HQ's with extensive grounds around here have retention
ponds. Geese flocking there were becoming a problem. Attacking
employees, goose crap all over the place, etc.
They now have a company bring in a pair of nesting swans in the
spring, and remove them in the fall.
Goose problem solved. Greatly reduced anyway. The swans seem to
tolerate ducks.
I was at the Chicago Botanic Garden (it's actually in Glencoe, IL)
once and was surprised to see they had brought in a Border Collie and
owner to shag geese from a lagoon. Never got to talk to him as he was
across the lagoon - the owner, that is.
The dog seemed in his element, taking short swims to make his point to
any reluctant geese, then ranging ashore again.
One time I was canoeing on the Kankakee river with my wife and she
spotted a pair of swans. "Oh, steer over there so we can see the
pretty swans," she said. We got within 50 yards and one - the male I
assume - came steaming at us. His wake was bigger than our canoe's,
and he didn't look friendly.
"Paddle faster!! Paddle faster!!" I shouted at my wife as I steered
away.
I think he got to about 10 yards of our stern, but I was too busy
paddling to be sure of that. Whew.

--Vic