NewsLocal News

Actions

Lake Miramar's 'Louie' the goose forms special bond with 'Mother Goose'

Posted at 9:31 PM, Dec 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-28 13:04:40-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- If you have ever visited Lake Miramar, you know it is home to Chinese geese.

But one goose, in particular, is healing both man and fellow beast. Louie is hard to miss He's the only white Chinese goose left at the lake and he's a bit of a celebrity.

Dave Brandenburgh works at the concession and bait store at the lake and feeds the geese every day.

"Best part of my day is feeding the kids ... they always want food, but Louie is the one you have to watch out for, one minute he will be eating out of your hand and the next minute he will take my leg off!" Brandenburgh says.

Nearly 100 visitors a day want to know where the cranky, white goose named Louie is located. But he has a soft spot for a little abandoned duck, named Alphie.

"This new little person thinks he's a goose, his bottom feathers haven't developed yet. Louie has taken him under his wing and adopted him," said Brandenburgh.

But Louie's true love is a woman named "Mother Goose."

"He just loves her and she's the goose whisperer," said Brandenburgh.

Louie is known to attack but when he sees Mindy Dreiserd he turns to mush. She has visited him every day for 4 years. He's never tried to bite her. She can hug and even pick him up.

When he had a respiratory infection, she nursed him back to health. And when she struggled with alcoholism and depression he was there for her.

"He's been the reason I've been sober ... that connection and desire ... he makes me happy when I question why sober anyway," Dreiserd said.

With Lake Miramar garnering increased attention, the City of San Diego is reminding visitors to not feed the animals.

In a statement, the city said: "For the safety of the public, it is against the rules for anyone to feed ducks, geese or any other wild animals at City of San Diego reservoirs."