In the company of young geese

Two women walking their pets along one of the dirt roads nestled deep in Aiken's horse district doesn't typically make heads turn. But, just a few days ago, Louise Mellon and I did just that.

It was nearing sunset. There wasn't much traffic. But what little there was slowed, watched, and some even chatted with us.

The unusual bit was that, of the eight animals walking behind us, five were gorgeous, white, almost identical, geese. Two ordinary women, two rather short dogs, one timid orange cat, and five amazing white geese.

In reality, Mellon is anything but "ordinary." She nurtures animals and the earth and all those about her in a very special, uniquely quiet, warm, light-hearted way.

Her lovely home and grounds are totally organic. She saves abused ponies. She rescues lost dogs. She takes in stray cats. She welcomes the lost, hurting and abandoned, and reclaims their lives with gentleness, love and an open heart.

Even her artwork - her painting - is designed to lift spirits and bring a smile to one's soul.

So I suppose I wasn't terribly surprised when I heard about her latest project. The geese.

Then I saw them, met them really, and I was completely captivated. They are still young, only a few months old. But already they are showing signs of the breathtaking loveliness they will grow into.

Their feathers are like silk, the softest I have ever touched; a bit of black and grey tinting gives texture and depth to the pristine white of the majority of their down.

Their faces hold bright curious blue eyes, and are wrapped in beaks that look like folded satin of gold and pink.

Their flat webbed toes and sturdy legs are pale, almost transparent, pink as well.

They are slightly more than knee high, and they want to look at you in the face, and perhaps taste your fingers or a sparkly wristwatch you're wearing or find out what's in your pocket.

They talk constantly; a delightful cross between a questioning chirp and the sound a laughing young horse might make. It's a wonderful, gleeful sound.

Louise says they are Sebastopol geese, originating in Europe along the Danube River and the Black Sea.

When they are fully grown, their feathers will flow down and out and drape like long, exquisite evening gowns across the ground, and curl and fluff cloud-like all around them. I can see their inherent beauty she describes already showing itself across their supple backs and graceful wings.

The fact that they let us touch them and stroke their velvety feathers is such a privilege. And a tribute to their life and upbringing with Louise.

They spend most of their day in the safety of a large, comfortable pen - including their own wading pool and a protective enclosure to run into.

When it's time for their walk, they come eagerly to the gate to greet Louise and begin the daily adventure. One is shy. She isn't sure about coming out. But Louise coaxes and reminds her of the fun awaiting her with her brothers and sisters, and she decides to come along after all.

They immediately run to greet me, a newcomer. And I am readily accepted into the gaggle. A welcomed guest.

Down the drive and into the dirt road. We walk slowly, of course, little goose legs can't go very fast and we don't want them to tire or become over-heated.

When Louise points out a nice patch of fresh grass, they all run to sample it. We wait for a bit, and then walk on, and they come right with us, staying near to our legs, letting us lead the way.

The dogs and the cat bring up the rear, of course, as all good and important herding animals should. We don't walk far. Louise knows their limits. Then we turn for home and they come along in complete and easy compliance.

At the end of the walk, they are allowed a few more minutes grazing and exercising through the paddocks and gardens on the grounds. They are utterly agreeable, amazingly trusting, genuinely innocent and perfectly delightful company.

As Louise points out, it's impossible to be sad or downhearted when you are in the company of these lovely and loving creatures. Besides turning heads, they seem to have an inherent ability to simply and charmingly turn hearts.

Marti Healy is senior writer for The Design Group and author of "The God-Dog Connection" and a new novel "The Rhythm of Selby."