Mama's Moosie

I was supposed to foster Moose.  He was only supposed to be at the house for 2 to 4 weeks.  He was not supposed to be mine.  I was not supposed to fall in love with Moosie, but, I did.  And, I would like to think that Moosie fell in love with Mama as well. 

I don't really know what kinda of a "family" Moose had before ours except that he was used for breeding.  Probably a lot of breeding.  He is very mild mannered and very easy going; perhaps like a doggie that has been passed around a bit.  He didn't really show a lot of emotion when we first got him.  Except that he was very aggressive towards Maggie.  If he found a toy, he would hoard it and if she came near, he would snap at her.  With that attitude, Moose was sure to find a new foster home before he was adopted out. 

It took me a few days, maybe even a week or so to figure out Moose.  He knew like five words:  Moose, sit, stay, come, and heel.  He didn't know "Cookie" as in treat.  He didn't know "wanna go for a walk?"  Or "wanna go for a ride?"  He didn't know "Who's Mama's Moosie?" or "Is Moo Moo a good boy?"  or even "I love you, Moosie."  It took me a while to catch on...No one had ever really talked to Moose.  No one had cuddled him or loved him.  No one had made him part of their family.   I talk a lot with my family, furry or otherwise.  If someone sneezes, I bless them.  If someone yawns, I ask if they are tired and ready for night night.  If it's been a long day, I express that to them.  If I am sad, I ask for huggies and cuddles.  My doggies are a part of my family, not just a pet. 

I laugh and say that I love Maggie more than I like most people; it's sad, but kinda true.  She is a faithful, loyal, pain in the ass, but she is mine.  Moose is too.  Moose is mine now.  He is starting to learn new words and phrases and he is starting to react to the tone of my voice and my moods.   He has a personality now.  He knows when he is in trouble and I think he knows that when I leave, I will return, back to him.   He knows I work at home during the day and can't play, but after I finish, we can throw the ball in the backyard!  He knows that first thing in the  morning mama is getting him "breakfast."

One of my most favorite things about Moosie is that he hugs me.  I can't really explain what he does, but when I first wake up, before I get out of bed, but after he knows I am awake, he will come up to me (he sleeps on the bed, so he just crawls up a bit!) and put his head and neck over my neck and pushes down, he leaves his behind up in the air.  At first, I thought he was trying to kill me!!  But then I figured it out, he is hugging me.  He stays in that position long enough for me to give him a kiss, tell him I love him, and rub his sweet little ears.  

I am happy to say that Moose indeed knows his name now, in every form that we call him (Moose, Moosie, Mooser, MooMoo, Mama's Moosie, Big Moo, Hoss, Moosie Degoosie, etc.)  He also not only knows what a cookie is, but he knows where mama has them stashed!  He knows that he has a bucket of toys that are just his and Maggie's.  He knows he is my buddy and my friend and my family.  All it took, was to be talked to and to be loved. 

Glad I could help you out, Moosie. 

XOXO