Moose
Southern Gentleman
How far would you travel to find true puppy love? "Twelve hundred miles!" was the answer for Suzanne Smith. Rewind to April 2007, when Suzanne and her husband were devastated over the loss of their eldest dog, Jack, to a long battle with cancer. They knew he was irreplaceable, of course, but wanted to find a dog who resembled their beloved family member.
Suzanne hit the Internet and came upon a profile of Moose, a six-month-old Catalan shepherd mix at the South Carolina's Darlington County Humane Society—a long way from their home in Indianapolis, IN! It seemed crazy to travel all the way there," Suzanne admitted. But Moose reminded the couple of Jack, and they couldn't resist making the trip.
When Suzanne and her husband arrived at the small shelter, they found a homemade sign on the gate—from Moose!—welcoming them. A man carried the pooch out on his shoulders like a sack of potatoes, and Suzanne was in love. Moose must have sensed he was heading to a happy home, for he handled the 11-hour drive like a pro. "We made several 'potty breaks' and caught some sleep in a motel around Asheville," Suzanne remembers. "Moose stayed in the room and didn't make a peep."
These days, love and protection are a two-way street in the Smith household. Moose watches over his pet parents while they sleep. And his good manners extend beyond the home. "We refer to him as a southern gentleman, because he always greets everyone at the dog park," boasts mama Suzanne.
In the summer, Suzanne fills a kiddie pool for Moose and his labradoodle brother. "Moose will take their toys and put them in the pool, knowing that his brother won't dare go after them!" says Suzanne with a laugh. Well, we can't be on our best behavior at all times.