This sweet blind Lab arrived at the ranch yesterday. I drove over to our vet clinic in Helena to pick him up. The police department in Conrad, Montana -- a small town on the other side of the Rockies, northeast of us -- had found him wandering on Interstate 15 back in February. Yes, someone had abandoned a blind dog near an interstate highway in February in Montana. Did they just turn him loose at a rest area and drive off? No one knows.
The Conrad police department took him to their local animal shelter and kept him there while they tried to find his owner and then, eventually, someone to adopt him. They ran advertisements and radio spots but they never received an inquiry or a report that anyone was looking for him. While they had him in the kennel, the police officers would take him with them during the night to walk the schools and occasionally check businesses on slow nights to get him exercise. After a month with no luck finding his owner or an adopter, the Conrad Police Chief emailed me and asked if we could take him. We agreed, and the police chief found someone to drive the dog to Helena for us a week ago.
Dr. Jennifer Rockwell at our clinic, Montana Veterinary Specialists & General Care, called after his initial health exam to say they had named him Moose because of his massive frame, affable personality and lumbering nature. Jennifer said he tipped the scales at 99 pounds and yet isn't fat -- he just has really big bones and a huge head. His legs are fairly short, too, but he makes up for it in sheer bulk!
When I saw him for the first time yesterday at the clinic, I realized Moose was a perfect name for this guy.
It turns out he is blind from progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA. At the moment his eyes remain comfortable and he doesn't have any secondary eye issues. We also had him neutered, dewormed and vaccinated. His blood work was perfectly normal.
Moose is a gentle, easy-going fellow who gets along with everyone. He's very sweet with the small dogs in particular. Because we could tell right away how well he would do being introduced to everyone, we brought him into the house with us an hour or so after he arrived. He walked through the rooms for a few minutes, checked things out, nosed a few of the dogs, and then found a bed in the living room and laid down on it. That was that. He was home.
Moose has been in the house with us all through today as well, and it's as if he's lived here his entire life.
I took the photo of Moose with Alayne this afternoon. He looks a bit sad but that's just his face -- he sort of has a natural melancholy expression. He's actually a happy boy, just very mellow. Yesterday evening we found that every time we'd walk by his bed, he'd gently thump his tail on the floor to greet us. Whenever he realizes we're talking to him, he starts wagging his tail. And when he realizes Alayne is talking to him, he really, really wags his tail! It's clear that a woman had been his main companion because he just lights up whenever Alayne dotes on him. He definitely responds to me, too, but we can tell it's a different level of emotion with Alayne.
After being abandoned to fend for himself in a brutal winter, this blind boy is now safe and sound with us. Thanks to the Conrad Police Department, who did everything they could to help him. And thanks to all of you who support the ranch with your gifts, we could say "yes" to a disabled dog like Moose.
Dear Steve & Alayne,
What a wonderful gift you have given to so many animals.Thank you for sharing with all of us! I have to agree with what nina wrote about leaving the owners out on the highway alone and cold. I would imagin someday they will be very sorry they ever did that.(you know the old saying what goes around comes around)
And yes please thank the Conrad pd for all they did.It is so nice to read something so special at the end of the day!!! hugs to all.
Posted by: ceena | April 09, 2009 at 08:23 PM
This saddens me when people are so thoughtless toward animals as if they have no feelings. When we adopted Zak the animal shelter said he was so traumatized he wouldn't walk. Someone had left him at the hospital. What a beautiful Lab.
Posted by: Rita Boatright | April 09, 2009 at 07:01 PM
If I didn't have a life (sort of) here in Southern Caifornia with my two cats and repsonsibilities -I would move to the Ranch and help you with all the wonderful work you do. In the meantime, I will continue my financial support in any way I can. God Bless you all - Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Wallace | April 09, 2009 at 05:53 PM
I'm crying a little at Moose's story, and not just because I was up all night bottle feeding puppies. I have a soft spot for yellow Labs (don't tell the beagles!) and certainly if we had an open spot for a non-beagle permanent member we would come right up there and adopt him! What a lucky, lucky dog he is. Hopefully we'll get a chance to see him in July.
Posted by: Morgan | April 09, 2009 at 03:24 PM
THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU FOLKS IN HEAVEN. WE COULD USE MORE YOUR TYPES DOWN HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Posted by: DAN KREYCHE | April 08, 2009 at 11:31 PM
What a great looking dog..am so happy the the CPD found him and turned him over to you!!! I CANNOT IMAGINE what kind of person would do this at any time of the year let alone in a Montana winter.
Hugs to you Moose!!!!! (what a great name!!!!)
Posted by: Karen Shrum | April 08, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Moose has an adorable face and found a kind and loving new family. Thanks for caring so much about all your animals. And thanks for the newsletters.
Posted by: Monica from Hilton Head | April 08, 2009 at 01:55 PM
I just read Moose's story and it brought tears to my eyes. He is BEAUTIFUL! Moose has to be the long-lost brother to the yellow lab we adopted a year ago from our local shelter. Tucker is HUGE, not blind but orthopedically challenged. And just to share another bright spot..we recently had a 10 year old blind lab at our local shelter. He was adopted...by a family whose 9 year old son is also blind. Doesn't that just give you all chills? Thanks RDR and thank you to the people at the police dept. who cared enought to go the extra mile.
Posted by: Margo | April 08, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Hurray for the Conrad police department and Hurray for MOOSE. What a great boy. He is beautiful. He looks like a real lover. You can just tell by his expression. Does this mean Alayne has a new minion and what do her LITTLE minions think of the BIG GUY? Thanks for taking him in. He has found his forever home. Wish they'd find the people who left him loose to fend for himself . They should have to stay out in the cold and wonder what's going to happen to them.
Keep up the great work at RDR.
Posted by: Sonya Brooks | April 07, 2009 at 12:54 PM
As always the stories you share, touch my heart and make me cry.
[Hugs]
Thank-you for being their for Moose and all the others ...
Posted by: kara | April 05, 2009 at 02:30 PM
Oh my gosh ..what a beautiful guy. I have a 138lb. big blocky lab.I can't imagine leaving him any where!What is wrong with some people.It is a good thing that there are animal lovers like all of us out here to take care of them.It is nice that Steve and Alayne,with the help of "special gifts" that you can provide a very specail place where our fur friends can be happy and play.I sure hope the people that abandon these animals, don't abandon there humane family..'cause I sure would not want to be one of there family members.
Posted by: Kathy and Harley | April 04, 2009 at 09:30 PM
WOW that's a great looking dog!! So glad he feels at home!!!
Posted by: laura | April 03, 2009 at 09:23 PM
I found a sweet dog at a rest stop while on a driving trip near a small town and stayed on the phone for almost 45 minutes insisting that someone from the fire dept. come out and tend to him. All the people on the phone wnated to "wait til Monday."
Anyway, wanted to say that when I see these beautiful pictures I usually think of beautiful music. Tonight I thought of Mozart's Jupiter Symphony, Andante movement. It is a noble piece and would be a great theme song for the ranch. It is elegant, beautiful and uplifting -like RDR. I call Mozart God's music. I'll bet Moose would enjoy it too. Thank you for saving him.
Posted by: Angela | April 03, 2009 at 02:43 AM
Welcome home Moose!What a handsome boy you are!! Big hugs and smooches to you sweet boy.
Posted by: Beverly | April 02, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Welcome to the ranch, Mooose! (Love the choice of name!!) Thanks to the kind-hearted police officers who made sure this handsome furry boy got a fantastic new home! (Would like to abandon the owners at rest stop along an interstate hightway!!!)
Posted by: Nina | April 02, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Wow, he's gorgeous! Sad to hear someone could leave him to fend for himself, but happy to know he's found a home with you!
Posted by: Libby | April 02, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Luke and I cant wait to meet moose! A fellow blind short and stocky lab! wonderful! He looks like a sweetheart.
Posted by: Kate and Luke | April 02, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Gosh, I have so many thoughts in my head at once. First, if you have an address I would love to email the Conrad Police Dept. a huge thank you. You see, where I live, cops aren't like that (generally speaking). Our Humane Society investigator rarely gets any support from the sheriff or police depts. I wonder also if Moose was lost and someone is looking for him. I guess we'll never know for sure. An aging or ailing dog down here is more likely to be shot by it's owner than abandoned. How either choice is made I'll never understand.
Welcome Moose!! Maybe he and Miss Samantha will find a few things in common. I look forward to hearing more about our new friend.
Posted by: Lynn | April 02, 2009 at 12:37 PM
You guys are the best, thank you for all that you do. It's hard to believe someone could leave that cutie on the interstate.
Posted by: Monica Ray | April 02, 2009 at 12:34 PM
A big thank you shout out to the kind hearted coppers of Conrad for rising to the occasion and going the distance. Job very well done guys/gals!! I second Jeanne's comments about there needing to be a special level of hell for the people who left Moose to die. Give Moose a huge hug for all of out here who are glad he is now home and loved.
Posted by: Miranda | April 02, 2009 at 12:20 PM
What a handsome boy. Lucky you! :)
Posted by: A Arsenault | April 02, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Debbie B., I'm so glad you got thru your first radiation so well. ((((Debbie B.)))) Prayers to you for a very quick recovery. I know Callie is rooting for you too as we are all wishing her the best.
Moose, I have fallen in love with you! I'm so sorry you went thru such an ordeal but there were angels looking out for you & those were the Conrad PD & Steve & Alayne @ RDR. Enjoy all your new brothers & sisters. I know you have a lot of love to give them & they to you.
A huge thank you to the Conrad PD for caring so much & for making the right calls to get Moose into a home he knew right away is where he would be cared for & loved unconditionally. I wish I could bring this sweet guy to TX to live with me & Erin. I'm so totally in love with him.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | April 02, 2009 at 11:20 AM
What a beautifully, handsome boy! I wish he was mine!!
I will never ever understand how someone could abandon an animal like they did Moose, and especially a disabled animal. My heart and brain cannot grasp that at all. I'm so glad Moose has made his way to your ranch... what lucky, lucky dog!
Barbara
Author & Mom to Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll dog
http://www.frankiethewalknrolldog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Barbara Techel | April 02, 2009 at 10:38 AM
What a sweet guy! Thank God he was rescued and found his way home to you. Although, I'll bet he has yet another home in his future!
Posted by: Linda | April 02, 2009 at 10:17 AM
When I hear about people who could do something as cruel as abandon Moose in a Montana winter, I despair of humanity. Then, when I remember people like you two, Steve and Alayne -- and all the other good people who support RDR -- I have hope again.
Posted by: Helen R | April 02, 2009 at 10:09 AM
He is beautiful!! I can't wait to meet him this weekend. I was thinking the same thing as Wendy..Levi could use a big dog buddy! HA! But alias new job and huge cut in pay, I can't afford to feed two big dogs! Damn! See you this weekend! Laura
Posted by: Laura | April 02, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Whatever circumstance brought Moose to be abandoned, we'll not know and that's all history now.
Welcome Home sweet, beautiful Moose!
You'll be loved and cared for like you've never been before.
Enjoy him Steve and Alayne!
Posted by: boundforglory | April 02, 2009 at 09:15 AM
As others have said, God Bless you both for taking in this sweet dog and for the Conrad Police for saving him.
I hope there is a "special" place reserved for people who abandon animals...and believe me it would NOT be loving and cozy like RDR!!!
Posted by: Brenda | April 02, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Welcome Moose to your real home--RDR--the place where you'll always be loved and valued.
Steven's comment on rest stops echoes something I've read on other rescue sites about dogs abandoned near highways. I now travel--at all times--with a rescue leash in my purse. My husband knows that an abandoned dog at a rest stop will be coming home with us. I just can't fathom why someone would do this to any animal.
Posted by: Jan CW from Canada | April 02, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I have the strongest desire to drive up to RDR and kidnap this beautiful, sweet boy....I, too, grateful that the PD saved him...and pray that Moose knows he is now loved and will never again be abandoned!
Posted by: Debbie | April 02, 2009 at 07:39 AM
Thank goodness for the Conrad Police, and thank God for RDR. I have a feeling that Moose will be getting adopted out! Moose is a great looking dog!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | April 02, 2009 at 01:41 AM
Welcome to your wonderful new home, sweet Moose!
Posted by: Rich Y | April 01, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Thanks.
Posted by: Jamie | April 01, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Who could ever abandon such a beautiful dog? Thank you Steve and Alayne for taking him in and giving him a second chance. Welcome home Moose! Hugs to all!
Posted by: GiLe | April 01, 2009 at 09:29 PM
I'm in love! What a face! Welcome home Moose.
Posted by: Cora | April 01, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Moose looks like a really great dog. I had a dog that had one eye and poor vision in the remaining eye, but he was a great dog too.
Moose, I just know you're going to be very happy at the ranch. And thanks to everyone who took part in his rescue.
Posted by: Julie | April 01, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Welcome Moose! You are such a beautiful Lab. I am glad you have a wonderful new family.
And as they say about labs-boy labs love their mommies and girl labs love their daddies. Enjoy your new mom!
Posted by: Randi | April 01, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Debbie, I'm so glad your first radiation went so well...........I'm sure Callie is rooting for you !!
As for Moose,I may have to drive from NYS to come and get him :) He is TOO adorable !!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bibi | April 01, 2009 at 08:16 PM
What a joy to see Moose in his forever home! I'm so glad that the wonderful people in the police department in Conrad not only rescued him, but got Moose to the vet and found him a home. Please send along our thanks to them from all of us in the blogosphere.
And thank you Steve and Alayne for giving Moose a warm, cozy home that he so obviously has made himself at home in. Moose is such a sweetheart!
Posted by: Peggy Fields | April 01, 2009 at 08:11 PM
How could anyone ABANDON a blind dog to fend for himself in winter?! If there isn't a special level of hell for people who abuse animals, I'm going to have to have a word with Management!
I'm glad Moose has found his home - nice to see that Alayne has a new minion!
Posted by: jeanne | April 01, 2009 at 07:25 PM
What a wonderful ending I wish they ahd lef the owners by the side of the rode!! Can't wait till he mets the little dogs
Posted by: gayle | April 01, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Be still my heart! Maybe Stoney needs a lab companion (and Baron another thick lab to curl up with)??
Posted by: Wendy | April 01, 2009 at 06:26 PM
See, little by little, the word gets out. Blind animals, all animals, deserve consideration. Welcome, Moose, you big happy boy.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | April 01, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Moose looks like a real great hugging size & a sweetheart, too. Thanks to the Conrad Police dept. for saving him & making sure he got to the fantastic RDR! Horray!
Debbie B., I hope that the rest of your radiation treatments continue to be a breeze & wish you a great success! Healing hugs to you.
Now back to Moose, maybe he didn't have a female caretaker & that's why he's so enamored with Alayne....he may be thinking, "Ah, finally the female touch that I've been craving so much!"
Warm welcome hugs to Moose,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | April 01, 2009 at 05:46 PM
What a wonderful story. I am so glad he survived being left. He looks right at home. He looks like a very nice dog.
Posted by: Suzanne Babbitt | April 01, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Who would do such a thing to such a lovely dog. Thank God that the Conrad Police Department saved him. He will be so happy with you. By the way please whisper in Callie's ear that I had my first radiation today and it was a breeze. Kisses and belly rubs to all. Except you Steve.
God Bless us all.
Posted by: Debbie B. | April 01, 2009 at 03:58 PM