Jack explores the Blooming Tails pet shop in Market Drayton. (Picture: Caters News)

A goose named Jack has been living the life of luxury with his two owners, enjoying visits to the local pub and embarking upon camping holidays.

Jack, an eight-year-old Chinese Gray Gander goose, from Market Drayton, Shropshire, is treated like a king by his owners Sally Barnett, 45, and Keith Burgess, 59.

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Seriously, this goose is better treated than almost any other pet bird. And he loves it.

Jack was adopted by the couple after they cared for a friend’s gosling. When it suddenly passed away, they decided to get a little goose of their own.


Sally said: ‘I researched on the internet and a farm not far from us had some geese to sell so I went and had a look.



‘We connected straight away and he didn’t stop chatting to me for the whole car journey home. He’s been a huge part of our lives ever since.’

Since the day Jack was welcomed into the family, he has been treated to nothing but a life of luxury, and spends most of his time indoors with his two devoted owners – apart from when he needs a bath, that is.

Lucky goose Jack enjoys a cider at the Red Lion Pub in Market Drayton (Picture: Caters News)

‘When we first got him we left him outside but he’d just honk and honk so we brought him into the house,’ said Sally.

‘As soon as he was in the house, he was much calmer – and quieter. He used to have a wash in our bath, but now that he’s bigger he has his own paddling pool that he uses.’

She continued: ‘He eats out of a china bowl in the kitchen – although he’s forever stealing food that we leave out.

‘I caught him with a bread roll the other day.’

But of course, like any goose with a social life, Jack does love to go out and about. Each week he attends a local poultry show, as well as visiting the local village market – though according to Sally, he enjoys the car ride there the most.

She said: ‘He loves going out in the car and he gets really excited when he know we are going anywhere.

‘Most of the time he follows us around but if we go to places where there might be traffic we pop him on his lead.

‘His favourite places to go are the pub and the outdoor market in town. We take him to the local poultry show but we would never show him because he hates being penned in, he is so used to being able to roam around.’

Sally, Keith and Jack the goose watch television in their home (Picture: Caters News)

Best of all, alongside the outings, Jack goes on family camping holidays, and has done for the past six years. He gets to sleep in the tent with his owners – which is something other guests usually get a little confused about.

‘Those who attend every year are used to seeing Jack but people who have never been before are like “what the hell is that?!”‘, said Sally.

‘They can’t believe what they are seeing.’

But Jack doesn’t care what other people think, especially when he’s far too busy enjoying his holidays.



Though, he never stays away too long, as his very own family is always waiting for him back at home.

The family welcomed 5-year-old goose Jill, into the coup four years ago. She said for Jack and Jill, it was ‘love at first sight’ – and they have been together ever since first meeting.

Within those four years, the couple have welcomed their two children, Hansel and Gretel, into their goose family – who are both two years old.

Jack can’t say no to a pint of cider! (Picture: Caters News)

While the bird family are most definitely a lovely lot, it’s Jack who’s been receiving the most attention – not just from Sally and Keith but from their friends on social media, too, ever since Sally started to share Jack’s adventures on his very own Facebook page.

She said: ‘The Facebook page has been running for about 6 years now and he has followers in New Zealand and America.’

Yep, Jack is a little bit of an internet celebrity – even if he can’t actually type to chat with his online followers.

However, that won’t deter him, and according to Sally, he’ll continue to embark on his adventures right by his owners’ sides.

Sally said: ‘He will continue to come with us wherever we go and who knows – him and Jill may have some more children.’

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