MOOOOSE

I would like to announce my new friend Moose. Michael got a dog!!! (I think he's half mine, but he'll be living with Michael for the next year with only weekend visitation for me.)

We went to the Humane Society in Salt Lake. I'm super supportive of the Humane Society, especially after visiting the state-run animal shelter which featured tiny kennels, lots of messes in the cages and some sick, sad looking dogs. I got Rusty (who's name was Scraps) almost 11 years ago from the same place. Rusty visited to meet our new friend. I know I've said it many times, but Rusty is the best. I chatted with some of the staff and they were so happy to see Rusty's triumphant return.

We visited two days in a row and at about 6:40 on Friday afternoon Michael decided on Moose (who was named Mugan...what is that? Megan spelled with a U?). We waltzed up to the front and declared our intentions. We were 10 minutes too late to adopt that day. It was very hard to leave him in his cage for one more night. On Saturday, we came to get him.

I think he was happy to see us again.

I hope all you blog readers click on this picture and check out Michael's smile--it's a love smile.

Jackson and Michael sat with him before he got microchiped.

So far things have gone pretty well (minus one mess in the basement). Moose was transferred from another kennel and was rescued somewhere in Southern Utah. He's about 11 months old and solid black. Moose was at the Humane Society for two weeks. I thought that was crazy since most dogs are only there for a few days and he's so sweet. But the staff told me that no one wants black dogs, that they don't seem unique enough. Moose is rather unique. For example, he's afraid of balls. What is that. Dogs love balls. Jackson tried to convince him, but we haven't gotten anywhere yet.

Things have been going well so far, someday he'll learn his name and figure out what "no" means. I think we're pretty lucky over all. I'm so glad that Michael and Moose will have each other to hang out with in Spokane. They're going to cuddle, I just know it.

First bath, poor guy.

Rusty is a pretty good host, although I think he's a little sick of the puppy antics.

Welcome to the family Moose...now, get off the couch.

I have to say, I got a little emotional at the Humane Society. Each dog has a paper with its name and some notes about his/her personality, including the "Intake Reason" listing why they came to the humane society. One of the dogs was a fuzzy sheepdog with a blue bandana. She was about ten years old, which was a little too mature for Michael's lifestyle. I was reading through her info, and pretty much burst into tears, when I read "Intake Reason: Owner died." If you're planning on getting a pet, they have some beautiful cats and dogs (they're cheaper too) no need to get a pure-breed weirdo, get a pet that needs some love.