As you all know, my sweetest Gabby gurl passed over the rainbow bridge the beginning of January. It’s been a couple months of those emotional roller coaster ups and downs. I even stopped wearing make-up because I never knew when the feelings would come leaking out of my eyes. It sure didn’t take much for the tears to flow. Some I choked back, but most just flowed unashamedly from my eyes. She was the absolute best!
A couple of days ago I heard about an adoption day at our local Pet Smart. Earlier in the day I did a bit of shopping and then had lunch with a dear friend. We also went out shopping for a bit after we ate. We parted ways and I decided to head to Pet Smart. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure I was ready for this step but I decided what the heck and headed inside.
Immediately I was hit with all the emotions and the tears started to well up in my eyes. Y’all, I hadn’t even seen the adoptable pets yet. I walked quickly to the back of the store and went up and down a couple aisles doing my best to gain my composure. I prayed, “Lord, what is this mess all about? Please help and guide me, and don’t let me settle.” Did I mention I put make-up on today?
I meandered over to the dogs in the kenneled area and glanced at them. When I say meandered I mean I took my sweet time, weaving up and down the aisles. There were 3 small dogs. You could tell they were older and there were other future pet owners eyeing them and talking baby talk to the dogs. Why do we do that? I patted one of the dogs on the head, and walked away. It would appear this was not the day to get a new puppy.
As I walked further down the aisle, away from the adoptable pets, my phone rang. I looked at the unfamiliar number and decided to answer it. I was totally ready for someone to start talking to me about my expired car warranty. HA! Instead, it was someone from another local shelter saying they think they found me a match.
They described him….let me stop there. I was not looking for a him. They kept talking and said he had been surrendered to the shelter, was approximately 2 years old, maybe part terrier, part dachshund, and possibly chihuahua. There’s no way of truly knowing unless you get a doggie DNA test. They said he was all of 10 pounds. I was just about to tell them no, when then said his name. Moose.
The handler said he was the sweetest boy and just knew I’d love him. Hmm. Him. Since I was already close to the shelter, I thought I could swing by, look at Moose and see if they had any other small female dogs.
Now, if you’ve been reading my blog you know I spent 20 years in Alaska. I’ve seen my fair share of what I call “Mooser mooses”. One of the things I miss about AK is seeing all the moose. I love me some moose and especially when the mama’s are out with their new born calves. Sooooo flippin’ adorable.
When my grand daughter was born, because of her weight, one of the nurses referred to her as a “moose”. I kid you not!
I pulled into the parking lot and stared at the doors. Am I ready? Sigh. Only one way to find out. I walked in and told the woman behind the glass I was here to meet Moose. Her smile lit up her face and she seemed genuinely excited for me. Or maybe she was excited for Moose. Either way, she picked up the phone to let them know I was there and what do you think I did? That’s right, all the emotions bubbled up to the surface and I started to cry–again. I told you I put make-up on, right? I did the girl fan wave at my face and gained my composure. Does that wave thing ever really work?
I would like to say it was love at first sight, but Moose was not interested in me. Not even a little bit. And here I thought I wanted nothing to do with him.
He was totally invested in his handler and was doing his best to be right next to her. That is until she brought out chopped hot dogs and placed them in my hand. He inhaled them and she talked and talked about Moose and what he’d been experiencing since being at the shelter.
She didn’t know a lot because she had only just met him that morning when she came to work. She did know he was clingy. No doubt to be expected.
After all, his life was forever changed upon the owners surrender. Moose was a bit “mouthy” as the handler called him. He was skittish and yes, he was clingy. Again, all things to be expected given his situation.
We spoke at great lengths. I asked a lot of questions and I told her it was not my intention to get a male dog. Her face fell a bit, but it didn’t dissuade her from telling me more about him and they would be closed Sunday and Monday. By Tuesday morning they would need an answer or he’d be up for grabs.
Do you know where he was at this point? Laying partially on my feet on a cold floor. I asked her about returning him should things not work out? She told me it happens, and they understand that sort of thing. My mind said, “but the puppy doesn’t”. Ugh!!
I called his name. He looked up at me and showed me his belly. Biscuits! As my grand daughter would say. I couldn’t stand the idea of him being in the shelter any longer than he had been. Please know these animals are taken good care of given the circumstances. I rubbed his belly, I looked at the handler, I looked back at him, and I said, “ok, let’s do this”. She was thoroughly excited.
As we exited the meet and greet room so I could make the arrangements, they brought his dog bed and his little stuffed lamb-y. I didn’t know I was going to get these items. They told me how cute Moose was when he just stands there with lamb-y in his mouth. Next thing I knew, me and Moose or is that Moose and me, got in the car to start our adventure. And again, I pray. “Lord, thank you for this gift, please give me wisdom to take the very best care of him.”
Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to Moose and his sidekick lamb-y! How can you not loveee that face?!
Blessed to be Broken 
I love your writing each day. I feel closer to you and what you’re experiencing on this journey called life, and life in Christ. Moose. Perfect name to keep you connected to us in Alaska. May God continue to bless you & Moose.
On Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 1:18 PM Blessed to be Broken wrote:
> Trish Cordell posted: ” As you all know, my sweetest Gabby gurl passed > over the rainbow bridge the beginning of January. It’s been a couple months > of those emotional roller coaster ups and downs. I even stopped wearing > make-up because I never knew when the feelings would come l” >
HE IS AMAZING! Congratulations!!
Thank you so much!
Trish, he looks so happy. I hope you bring each other so much love and comfort. 💗 Gabby would approve of this little charmer.
[…] an amazing day my friends. Please say a prayer for my Moose, he’s got something going on with his eye and while he’s still being all barky, […]