Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Best Laid Plans of Moose and Men

Heehee.  I couldn't help myself with that title!  As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Abby and I had great plans to train for the Blogville Olympics; we were going to focus on some discus practice and some freestyle zoomies.  But, it was not to be….   Mom took us on our morning constitutional, and then went grocery shopping.   When she returned home, she was a wee bit surprised to find this:

Whaddya lookin' at?
 Moosies (especially Momma moosies with still-nursing baby moosies) are not compatible with free-range doggies such as ourselves.  So Mom insisted we stay inside, while the moosies enjoyed a mid-morning snack.
Nom, nom.

Baby noms.

Then the moosies decided to get comfortable.  It was quite hot today, and apparently our shade was Good Shade.
Could you turn on the sprinkler please?  We're hot!

After a while, it looked like the moosies might have moved on (Mom thought maybe our barking was annoying them).
Hey, moosies!  Can we have our yard back, please?

Upon closer inspection of the property, the moosies had just gone up into the shrubbery.

 


And once they left the shrubbery, they took a leisurely stroll around the property.


 And they decided to see if there was anything interesting on the back deck.


 And then they peered in the kitchen door.  (You’ll have to pardon the reflections in this photo; Abby and I were busy defending our turf while Mom was feeding us dried lamb lung pieces in an attempt to keep us quiet while Dad snapped some pictures.) 
Hi.  Um, it's hot out here. Do you have air conditioning?
Really.  Mom and baby were At. Our. Backdoor.  I think if the door had been open, they would have walked right in!!!  After decided that we weren't going to let them in (the only room that has air conditioning is the bed room, and we didn't think there'd be enough room on the Big Dog Bed for Mom, Dad, me, Abby, AND the moosies), they settled back into the shade in an attempt to stay cool.

They were in our yard ALL DAY, so Abby and I never got a chance to get out and work on our discus skills.  Actually, around 4pm we made it clear that we couldn't cross our legs any longer, and we needed to go out, so Mom loaded us into the car and took us down to the park at the bottom of the neighborhood.  Mom didn't want to disturb the moosies - she said it was too hot to urge them to leave.
As some of our faithful readers know, this is not our first visit from moosies.  In fact, we get moosies on a fairly regular basis, and you may wonder why.  Well, we've decided that it has to do with our weather-vane.

Mom says that it is like a hobo sign for itinerant moosies; she says that it roughly translates to: "Welcome Moosies!  We have good food and good shade!  Don't mind the dogs; they make a lot of noise but are harmless."  We're not entirely sure about Mom's translation, but it must be close, with all the moosie visits we get!
Anyway, the moosies took off about dinner time, and hopefully they won't return for a few days, so Abby and I can practice for the Blogville Olympics!
*kissey face*
-Fiona and Abby the Hippobottomus
PeeEss: All of the moose pictures were taken from the safety of balconies (or behind the kitchen door) - at no point did Mom or Dad ever get close to the moosies, as they can be dangerous - particularly mothers with young calves.

25 comments:

Lorenza said...

Wow!
Sure those two felt at home!
Glad you were able to go outside after they went away!
I can't imagine a day in your life without your energetic routine!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I still think they REALLY wanted a game of Frisbee!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

GOOSE said...

Those are some great photos. I am glad you got you yard back.
Blessings,
Goose

GOOSE said...

Those are some great photos. I am glad you got you yard back.
Blessings,
Goose

Two French Bulldogs said...

Oh my goodness those nooses are cool!
Benny & Lily

Berts Blog said...

What a wonderful post for My Vickie to read. She is the most Moose fan I have ever known. We ahve been following a couple of bulls this year but have yet to see any baby's. In our area, we usually start seeing the newborns about now. You are soo lucky to have them in your back yard.....what a wonderful place you live in.

Millie and Walter said...

OMG! It was nice of you to let Momma Moose and her baby hang out at your house all day, but how crazy is it that your mom had to put you in the car and drive to the park just so you could pee? Thanks for sharing those awesome moose pictures.

Cindy

BZ Dogs said...

The little one is so cute! I wonder what they would have done had you turned on the sprinkler?

Molly the Airedale said...

How cool that the mooses are so comfy visiting you but we're glad you girls can go back to going potty in your own yard!

Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly

3 doxies said...

Good golly, it looks likes they was contemplating just movin' in! And they was just takin' there sweet time strollin' around da yard.
If I was your mom I would consider gettin; a new weather vane...hehehe.

Puddles

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

HOLY GWALK A MOLEY!!! I can NOT believe that the mooses came RIGHT to your DOOR and LOOKED IN !!! THAT is the Coolest thingy.
I think that it was smart to put off your trainin.. it could have been very much dangerous fur you. I think your mom did the right thingy about taking you to the park which must be a NO MOOSE Zone.
Hobo SIGN... I didn't know that anybuddy except MY Mom even KNEW about those thingys any more.
Love the MOOSE Weather Vane!!

The Daily Pip said...

They do look like they were making themselves right at home - can't believe they came right up to your back door. I guess they aren't afraid of humans or dogs!

Your pal, Pip

P.S.: Hope you get some practice time in soon.

Two Pitties in the City said...

Wow...that is amazing! I'm always intrigued how wildlife can just come and hang out at people's houses. Unfortunately the closest we ever get to 'wildlife' are the rats and pigeons.
Such cool photos!

Asta said...

Sheeesh
Those Moosies obviously didn't get the Memo about yoow need to twainfow those most impawtant Olympics
Hope you get yoow yawd back soon
Smoochie kisses
Asta

Asta said...

Sheeesh
Those Moosies obviously didn't get the Memo about yoow need to twainfow those most impawtant Olympics
Hope you get yoow yawd back soon
Smoochie kisses
Asta

Anonymous said...

Poor moose... this heat must be tough on them. Hope they found a nice dinner and a cool beverage.

Pippen said...

How come you guys didn't turn on the sprinklers to cool the moosies off?

Sam and Pippen

Unknown said...

Can I ride ride on their back? :D

Dog Shock Collar | Puppy Bond

Anonymous said...

Dat is soooper doooper awesomely amazing. :) All we git on our back lawn is burds. I am fery impawressed wif your mom & dad's photos too girls.
I hope da Olympics practice goes well.

Paw waves
Ruger

The World According to Garth Riley said...

These photos are amazing! We've never even SEEN a moose. Dad says he wants to move to Utah!

your pal,
Garth

Unknown said...

I just love these moose post. We dont have moose in Texas and these creatures just amaze me and I love how they are just like lawn ornaments :) I cant believe how doscile and non fearful they are. Its just so cool!

Anonymous said...

YOur mom is afraid of Bulwinkle? seriously? pansie. yup. a pansie. ;)

i think i would have wet my panties if i saw that moosie at my back window. holy crap!

My Mind's Eye said...

Fiona and Abby what absolutely wonderful pictures and how very nice of you two to let the moose and baby share your space..and just remember you got extra treats for sharing. MOL
Hugs Madi

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

Yikes! And people here complain about deer. Did you put out a nice wading/swimming pool filled with water for the moosies? They do need water, you know.

We're admiring your system of having trained your mom to feed you non-stop treats so you won't go through the glass doors to get at the moosies. Jed would be hammering at the glass for sure.

Jed & Abby

Anonymous said...

hello fiona and abby its dennis the vizsla dog hay wow those ar sum big deer yoo hav their!!! and for sum reezon dada is drooling and tawking abowt moose tracks i hav no ideea why he wood want to eet moose tracks woodnt they tayst like dirt??? hay maybe if yoo had a wethervayn with leprekawns on it they wood come by and leev pots of gold i think i wil try that sum time!!! ok bye