news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Maybe it was the rain that led Goldy back to Flow Lexus early Wednesday morning.

Or it could have been the enthusiastic response he elicited from the dealership’s employees when he first visited Saturday.

Quite possibly, after two weeks as a fugitive, Goldy was just tired of running.

Whatever the reason, the bird, a Reeves’s pheasant, wandered into the service bay and into an open office, where he was kept until his adoptive family came to get him.

Goldy escaped from his pen at Vada Harris’ home in Guilford Hills two weeks ago. Harris said in a voice mail message that her family had been trying to catch Goldy every day, but to no avail. Then he walked into the dealership.

“He walked in just like he owned the place,” Harris said. “He’s back at home now, and he’s fine. He seems to be fine.”

But not so happy to be back in his cage. After 10 or 15 minutes, he “started trying to find a way to get out again,” Harris said. “Trying to make another prison break.”

While on the lam, Goldy apparently made the Wendover Avenue area his temporary home.

Salesman Ted Van Hoy spotted the bird at the dealership on Norwalk Street on Saturday and, along with several employees, tried to capture it. But Goldy held them off, escaping to a nearby large oak.

A resident of the nearby Wendover West apartment complex called the newspaper earlier this week to say she saw Goldy on the property.

Reeves’s pheasants are native to central and east China and are considered vulnerable to extinction.

Goldy’s appearance captivated the Flow employees.

“It’s kind of like a skinny gold peacock,” said Rick Riddleberger, the service department employee who secured Goldy in the office. “It’s a beautiful bird.”

The bird’s visits were particularly exciting for Van Hoy, who combed the woods near the dealership until dark Saturday hoping to get another glimpse of Goldy.

He came into work Wednesday morning feeling less than enthusiastic.

The weather was nasty, and he didn’t expect many people to leave the comfort of their homes to shop for cars.

Laying eyes on Goldy once more and learning he would make it home safely changed all that.

“What a great way to start the day,” Van Hoy said.

Staff writer Jennifer Fernandez contributed to this report.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com