Life with Moose: Gravel, Goofiness, and a Whole Lot of “Love”
This big, lovable goofball burst into our lives with energy, curiosity, and a stubborn streak that rivals mine. I’ll be honest—my heart wasn’t ready then and I still struggle sometimes now. I wanted calm labradors; Hazel, Reese, and even Smuckers VII, back in my life. I wanted calm, not chaos. But Moose doesn’t care about your emotional timelines.
He barged in, tail wagging and ears flopping, like a four-legged wrecking ball dragging a floppy one-eared stinky stuffed bunny and a baby blanket. What I didn’t realize is that he was sent to us with a mission to teach us patience, laughter, and the power of second (third, fourth…) chances.
And oh, he teaches.
Moose barks at everything. The wind. The great dane sounding off several houses down the street. A rogue butterfly. Sometimes, I think he’s just barking to hear himself talk, and heaven help you if you think you’re going to have a quiet Zoom call in your office.
He’s also an excavator. Forget the sandbox - his favorite project is the boys' play yard gravel. He’s determined to dig to the center of the Earth to find the perfect cool spot to flop. You’d think we were harboring ancient treasure under there the way he works those paws.
And privacy? Ha! Labrador retrievers don’t do privacy. He follows me everywhere. Kitchen? Check. Bathroom? Of course. Closet? You bet. There is no sacred space when you live with Moose. I have a shadow with fur and a nose for snacks.
But the best (or worst, depending on the hour)? His absolute glee in hip-checking the boys mid-run, mid-play, mid-anything. I swear I saw a glint in his eye the last time he sent Patrick tumbling like a bowling pin. He thinks it’s the best game ever - like canine bumper cars. And once the boys stop crying and I stop hollering to “stop”, it’s hard not to laugh… because he is funny. Infuriatingly funny.
"The glint in his eye is a mixture of love and mischief."
He makes life messier. Louder. More chaotic.
He has developed a refined palate for … plastic plant pots. Not the plants - just the pots. He plucks them up like chew toys, trots around the yard proudly, then leaves behind sharp-edged destruction like a dog-shaped hurricane. RIP to the matching set I just bought.
But he also makes it more real.
The truth is, falling in love with him has been a very slow burn… but it’s happening. Even when I fantasize about mailing him back to Sweden (where, yes, he was born, blue passport, bunny and blanket in a cute little backpack in tow), I catch myself smiling.
Through Moose, we feel Hazel again - same big brown eyes, same sweetness buried under SASS. Turns out, Moose’s grandfather was Hazel’s brother. Can you believe it? Labrador genealogy at it’s finest. A goofy, tail-wagging link to our sweet wonder girl.
And here’s the other truth: I’ve really never been without a dog. I grew up with a handful of labradors on our ranch. The comfort and companionship they bring is unmatched ; it doesn’t take long for them to “get you”!
There’s just something about a labrador - big-hearted, mischievous, loyal to the bone. If you’re looking for the perfect partner in crime, think LABRADOR.
So no, I wasn’t ready for Moose.
But I think Moose was ready for us.