If the Merriam-Webster Dictionary's definition of the expression hangdog is "sad, dejected," we've got the poster child for it. This is blind Moose, who can give us the saddest, most dejected look imaginable with that big, sweet face of his. And yet, he is one of the happiest dogs we've ever known!
Even with the look you see in this photo I took yesterday afternoon, his tail was happily thumping away on the step. We've begun to wonder whether he didn't learn a long time ago that appearing this way was guaranteed to get him an extra load of attention and petting, in which case -- clever boy! Our alternate theory is that his head is just so big and massive that he's found it's just easier to let it droop down rather than hold it up. But when it's time for dinner, that head is high in the air and we've got 100 pounds of bouncing, jumping, whirling Labrador on our hands!
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We're on the final stretch -- voting ends Sunday, July 26th -- so
please keeping voting for us every day in The Animal Rescue
Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge.
Enter
"Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana,
and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Invite your family and friends to vote, too!
Wow .. still No. 3, and that means a $3,000 grant if we can hold that spot! Thanks for voting!
You just want to wrap Moose in kisses when you see this expression!!! Good to know it doesn't affect his jumping for joy nature. : )
Posted by: boundforglory | July 13, 2009 at 09:45 AM
Awwww, Moosie, you would get anything you want if you ever came to live with me & gave me that look. Actually, is there something I can get for you now, cookie, hug, kisses, walk, belly-rub, what? what? what can I do for you, sweet angel!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | July 11, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Great BIG hug for that sweet face Moose! You must score so many treats!
Posted by: Margaret | July 10, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Aw Moose, you are so sweet & handsome. My Lucy, a black lab, has that look w/the happy tail wag as well. I call it the "lab look" that is essentially saying: "oh my, I am so [insert: hungry, sad u are leaving, in need of love, etc] & how can you deny me if I look like this?!" Labs are the best and Moose looks to be the cream of the crop :)
Posted by: Jen | July 10, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Steve....thanks for the update on Callie. "MOOSE" seems the perfect name for this big lug. My shep-chow mix mutt, Elle, must have taken some lessons from the same book. She hangs her head down while looking up with her eyes at the same time....I call it her Princess Diana look because Di perfected it for the cameras too.
Posted by: Marla | July 10, 2009 at 01:26 PM
100 lbs of hugs is guaranteed!! Yes, keep voting!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | July 10, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Workin' the camera; workin' the crowd.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | July 10, 2009 at 12:46 PM
This question is apropos of nothing and is a bit macabre, but I'm asking anyway. With all of the little ones you've lost over the years is there an area of the ranch set aside as a cemetery?
Posted by: Lynne Parker | July 10, 2009 at 11:41 AM
I want Moose to pack his things and come to live with me in Louisiana.......like right now.
Posted by: Lynn | July 10, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Awesome, awesome photo of Moose! Just love that face!!
~Barbara
Proud mom of Frankie, the walk n roll dog
Posted by: Barbara Techel | July 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM
That is the sweetest face EVER....good thing he is not my dog...I could never refuse him anything, lol!
Posted by: Debbie | July 10, 2009 at 08:16 AM
That's so funny! We've got a chocolate lab/something mix who showed up one Sunday morning last September. Webster is the happiest, sweetest (and goofiest) dog and yet can put on the sad face just like Moose.
There must be a Lab "sad face" school somewhere!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | July 10, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Moose looks like he would be getting lots of hugs wherever he goes. I think he has that look down to a fine art. He'd be perfect on the cover of a Blues CD, don't you think?
Please give Moose an extra big hug from me.
Big hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | July 10, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Yes, keep voting! There was an article in the Great Falls Tribune today with a link to the Challenge asking everyone to vote for a shelter in Great Falls. While I am sure those folks do good work too, I would hate to see Rolling Dog displaced from the top spot in Montana because of that article, so keep on voting!!
I love the look on Moose's face, what a love!
Posted by: Kathy | July 09, 2009 at 09:48 PM
What a sad face. :( My beagle does the same thing with those big brown eyes. Speaking of beagles, what had Ms. Widget been up to? I haven't seen a post on her in a while and I miss that crazy little dog.
Posted by: Katie | July 09, 2009 at 09:39 PM